Definitions for NCLB Highly Qualified Purposes

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Self Contained General Education

An endorsement appearing on an elementary certificate obtained by completing an elementary approved program that permits the holder to teach all subjects in a classroom.

Special Certificate K-12

A certificate issued in a subject area allowing the holder to teach that subject in all grades of the common schools.

Special Education Consultative Teacher

A resource teacher who is not responsible for assigning the grade to special education students. Such teachers must, by federal IDEA and NCLB requirements be a highly qualified special education teacher; that is, they must hold a full special education certificate for children with the disability to whom assigned, or must hold an elementary or secondary certificate with the endorsement (not approval) for children with the disability to whom assigned.

Special Education Teacher of Record

A special education teacher responsible for teaching core content to special education children and for assigning the grade. Such teachers must meet the consultative teacher definition and meet the NCLB requirement for each core subject area taught.

Special Pre-School to Age 21 Certificate

A certificate endorsed for teaching children with a disability, such as Learning Behavior Specialist I; the certificate permits (by state requirements) the certificate holder to teach all subjects to children with the disability. However, such a teacher, if the teacher of record, must also comply with the NCLB requirements for all subjects taught.

Split Special K-12 (or Preschool to age 21) certificate

Two certificates obtained by the act of converting a single Special certificate, covering all grades for teaching the subject of endorsement or children with the indicated disability, to an elementary and a secondary certificate, each of which is limited to teaching the subject area of endorsement or teaching children with the disability indicated.