Qualified Teachers for All Students, Not Just the Affluent

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) resulted in all public school students, not just those in affluent or well-funded school districts, to be taught by well-qualified, competent teachers.

This rule is needed as one of many tools to combat the reality of low-income and minority students scoring significantly below more affluent whites on tests, high school graduation rates and college attendance.

As National Public Radio reporter Larry Abramson explained in a November 22, 2006 report, "In high-poverty and high-minority schools -- where students are likely to be the most in need of an experienced teacher -- they're the least likely to get one."

This newly-mandated equal access to highly qualified teachers occurred because NCLB set minimum standards of education and experience for teachers at every U.S. school, which includes:

• a bachelor's degree
• full state certification, credentialing or other licensure
• periodic demonstration of continued competency

NCLB also requires that every state:

• measure the extent to which all students have highly qualified teachers, particularly minority and disadvantaged students
• implement plans to ensure all teachers are highly qualified
• publicly report plans and measure progress in meeting teacher quality goals.