The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is our country’s most important federal education law. In 2001 this law was reauthorized and is now called the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).  NCLB was designed to make changes in teaching and learning that will help increase academic achievement in our schools.

The law requires that all schools receiving Title I funds must inform parents of their right to ask schools about the qualifications of their child’s teachers.  Our school receives Title I funding and we are happy to share this information with you at your request.

We believe that nothing is more important to your child’s education atschool than having a well-prepared and highly qualified teacher.  The law requires that all teachers whoteach in core content areas must meet a specific legal definition of “highly qualified”in order to teach in schools that receive Title I funding.  The legal definition of a “highly qualified teacher” has three parts. It states that the teacher must have thefollowing:

1. A four-year college degree

2. A regular teaching certificate/license

3. Proof of his/her knowledge in the subject they teach

New Jersey has some of the most qualified teachers in the country, and we are extremely proud of the quality of the teaching staff at University Heights Charter School.  All our regular teachers have college degrees and many have advanced degrees.  The state of New Jersey has always required a teaching certificate/license for all teachers.  In addition, every teacher continues learning through professional development activities and our teachers are evaluated each year to make sure that their teaching skills remain at the highest possible level.

All of our teachers already meet this legal definition of highly qualified.  Teachers in the state of New Jersey are required to meet this definition.  A highly qualified teacher knows what to teach, how to teach, and has a fullunderstanding of the subject matter being taught. We believe that every teacher in our school is fully qualified and dedicated to teaching your child, and we will do everything possible to support their continued professional growth.

We encourage you to support your child’s education and communicate withyour child’s teachers on a regular basis. For more information on NCLB, and the role of parents, pleasevisit the United States Department of Education (USDE) Web site at www.ed.gov/nclb.  Bypartnering, families and educators can provide your child with the besteducation possible.