More wiggle room for rural teachers in the NCLB Act:
Under the law, all public school teachers must prove they are "highly qualified" by the end of the 2005-06 school year. That means they must have a bachelor's degree, hold a state teaching license and demonstrate mastery of the subject they teach.
School officials in rural areas have complained that they can't meet those requirements because of the difficulties of recruiting qualified teachers to sparsely populated areas. As a result, a single educator might have to teach several subjects.
Under the changes announced Monday, teachers in rural areas who already are qualified to teach at least one subject will have three years -- or until the end of the 2006-07 school year -- to demonstrate expertise in the other topics they teach.
Newly hired teachers also must show expertise in at least one topic and will have three years from their hiring date to prove they are qualified to teach other subjects.
"These policies will help address the unique challenges faced by teachers in rural districts and schools," Education Secretary Rod Paige said Monday. "We know that effective teachers are one of the most crucial factors in student achievement and are needed in every school in America."
Via Joanne Jacobs.