Current through March 20, 2024
007.01
Elementary Staff
Quality Indicator:
Instructional staff members have appropriate training and preparation to work
with elementary school children. They are knowledgeable of principles of child
growth and development, the scope of the elementary school curriculum, and
cross-disciplinary instructional strategies. They establish a positive and
supportive learning environment for all students.
AQuESTT Tenet: Students are
surrounded by effective and qualified educators throughout every learning
experience, and every school and district develops effective teachers and
leaders to establish a culture of success.
007.01A Computed on a full-time equivalency
basis, a minimum of 95 percent of the teachers in the elementary grades are
assigned to areas for which they hold certificates having appropriate
endorsements pursuant to 92 NAC 24.
007.01B Pre-kindergarten programs operated by
public schools are coordinated by a staff member who holds a Nebraska Teaching
Certificate with at least 9 college credit hours in early childhood
education.
007.02
Middle Grades Staff
Quality Indicator:Staff
members at the middle grades are knowledgeable of the growth and development of
middle grades students. They have knowledge of the curriculum content for which
they are responsible and they use teaching strategies that engage students
actively in learning, that build upon elementary content and skills, and that
help students understand and apply content across subject areas.
AQuESTT Tenet: Students are
surrounded by effective and qualified educators throughout every learning
experience, and every school and district develops effective teachers and
leaders to establish a culture of success.
007.02A Computed on a full-time equivalency,
at least 90 percent of the teachers in middle grades hold one of the following
endorsements or meet the provisions of Sections
007.02A1a or
007.02A4:
007.02A1 In grades seven and eight, any
middle grades endorsement or an appropriate secondary endorsement.
007.02A1a Teachers holding an elementary
endorsement may teach in grades seven and eight if they acquire six credit
hours per year toward the middle grades endorsement or participate in staff
development in accordance with a local mission and plan for education of middle
grade students.
007.02A2
In grades four through six, an elementary endorsement or any middle grades
endorsement.
007.02A2a Teachers holding a
content area endorsement at the secondary level may teach grade six in that
content area if they acquire six credit hours per year toward the elementary or
middle grades endorsement or participate annually in staff development in
accordance with a local mission and plan for education of middle grade
students.
007.02A3 In
grade nine, an appropriate secondary endorsement or any middle grades
endorsement.
007.02A4 Teachers not
holding an appropriate endorsement may be assigned to the middle grades if they
acquire six credit hours per year toward a middle grades endorsement.
007.02A5 Secondary teachers assigned to
integrated courses or curriculum in grades seven through nine are considered
appropriately endorsed if they hold an endorsement for any of the subjects or
fields included in the course.
007.03
Secondary
Staff
Quality Indicator:
Instructional staff members in the secondary grades have specialized
preparation in a subject area or field and knowledge of the developmental level
of students. Staff members use strategies that help students become actively
involved in the learning process through in- depth study of subjects and
through experiences that use and apply knowledge, skills, and understanding
across the curricular areas.
AQuESTT Tenet: Students are
surrounded by effective and qualified educators throughout every learning
experience, and every school and district develops effective teachers and
leaders to establish a culture of success.
007.03A At least 80 percent of the
instructional units offered in secondary grades during the regular school term
are assigned to teachers who hold certificates having appropriate endorsements
issued pursuant to 92 NAC 24. If 92 NAC 24 does not provide an endorsement
designated for a particular course or subject area, any teacher holding a
regular certificate may instruct such course without penalty to the school
system. Teachers holding a subject endorsement are considered appropriately
endorsed for any other subject within the broad field if they annually acquire,
prior to the opening of school, six credit hours toward the subject endorsement
or the broad field endorsement.
007.03A1
Teachers assigned to integrated courses or curriculum in accordance with
Sections 002.11 and
004.04C1 are
considered appropriately endorsed if they hold an endorsement for any of the
subjects or fields included in the course.
007.03B Secondary schools including grades
seven and eight may assign the teachers as provided in Section
007.02A.
007.04
Media/Technology Staff
Quality Indicator: The
library/media/technology programs and services are an integral part of the
instructional program. Library/media staff provide leadership and assistance in
selection, provision, and use of library/media resources. Technology staff and
services are available locally or in collaboration with other agencies to
provide support, maintenance, consultation, and training for meaningful use of
technology resources.
AQuESTT Tenet: Students are
surrounded by effective and qualified educators throughout every learning
experience, and every school and district develops effective teachers and
leaders to establish a culture of success.
007.04A Each K-12 school system and each
secondary school system has a person holding a Nebraska Teaching Certificate
with an endorsement appropriate for library science or educational media
specialist, or meeting Section
007.04B, assigned
on at least a one-half time basis to provide library media services to the
school system.
007.04A1 Each school building
having an enrollment of from 70 to 249 students has a person holding a valid
Nebraska Teaching Certificate with an appropriate endorsement for library
science or educational media specialist assigned on at least a one-fifth time
basis or has a library media paraprofessional assigned on at least a one-half
time basis under the supervision of a certificated staff member.
007.04A2 Each school building having an
enrollment of at least 250 students has a person holding a Nebraska Teaching
Certificate with an appropriate endorsement for library science or educational
media specialist assigned on at least a one-half time basis, or has such person
assigned on a one-fourth time basis and a full-time library media
paraprofessional also assigned. Buildings with 500 or more students have at
least a full-time educational media specialist or a one-half time educational
media specialist and a full-time library media paraprofessional. Buildings with
750 or more students have a full-time educational media specialist.
007.04B A school system may assign
a person holding a Nebraska Teaching Certificate with no endorsement
appropriate for library science or educational media specialist to fulfill the
requirements for Sections
007.04A,
007.04A1, and
007.04A2 if such
person acquires at least six credit hours each year toward an appropriate
endorsement pursuant to 92 NAC 24. Persons employed by a Nebraska school prior
to July 1, 1989, to provide library media services and who hold a Nebraska
Special Services Certificate with an endorsement appropriate for library media
services may fulfill the requirements of these regulations.
007.05
Guidance
Staff
Quality Indicator: A
comprehensive, developmental, K-12 guidance and counseling program assists all
students in learning skills needed for academic success and for personal,
social, and career development. The guidance program includes planned classroom
and group activities, counseling services responsive to individuals and small
groups, and assistance to students in academic planning and placement. The
school and community work cooperatively to provide appropriate support for
students, families, and teachers.
Guidance and counseling programs are directed by
professional staff with appropriate endorsements in guidance and counseling.
Professional staff are assigned based upon local needs determined through a
formal process documenting the needs.
AQuESTT Tenet: Quality
educational systems focus on supports for students transitioning between grade
levels, programs, schools, districts, and ultimately, college and
career.
AQuESTT Tenet: Students are
surrounded by effective and qualified educators throughout every learning
experience, and every school and district develops effective teachers and
leaders to establish a culture of success.
007.05A Each K-12 and each secondary school
system assigns at least a one-half time equivalency person to conduct a
guidance and counseling program. The level of assignment is determined by the
local school system and the person assigned holds a guidance and counseling
endorsement appropriate for the level(s) assigned. When enrollment in a school
system exceeds 400, the system assigns at least one full-time equivalency
appropriately endorsed person.
007.05B School systems having a total of 300
or more students in the middle grades, secondary grades, or high school grades
assign at least a one-half time appropriately endorsed person to provide
guidance and counseling for the level. When the total enrollment in any of
those levels reaches 450, one full-time equivalent appropriately endorsed
person is assigned. Thereafter, an additional one-half time appropriately
endorsed person is assigned for each 225 students at any of those
levels.
007.05C School districts
having 300 or more students in the elementary grades have guidance programs or
services available for the elementary students. The procedures and time
allotment are determined by the local school district.
007.05D A person holding a Nebraska Teaching
Certificate with no endorsement appropriate for guidance and counseling may be
assigned to fulfill the requirements of Sections
007.05A and
007.05B if such
person has two years of teaching experience and acquires at least six credit
hours each year toward an endorsement appropriate for guidance and counseling
pursuant to 92 NAC 24. Persons employed by a Nebraska school prior to July 1,
1989, to provide guidance and counseling services and who hold a Nebraska
Special Services Certificate with an endorsement appropriate for guidance and
counseling services may fulfill the requirements of this regulation.
007.05E In nonpublic schools, clergy holding
a Nebraska teaching or administrative certificate may be assigned to fulfill
the requirement of Sections
007.05A and
007.05B.
007.06
Certificated-Employee Evaluation
Quality Indicator: The primary
purpose of certificated-employee evaluation is to improve student learning. The
procedures are clear, equitable, and systematic.
AQuESTT Tenet: Students are
surrounded by effective and qualified educators throughout every learning
experience, and every school and district develops effective teachers and
leaders to establish a culture of success.
007.06A The school district has a written
board policy for the evaluation of certificated-employees. The policy is
approved by the Commissioner or designee as required by
79-318(5)(h)R.R.S.
Sections
007.06A through
007.06B are based
on statute and cannot be waived under the provisions of Section 013 of 92 NAC
10.
007.06A1 The policy is implemented by
written procedures that include:
007.06A1a
Annual written communication of the evaluation process to those being
evaluated;
007.06A1b A description
of the duration and frequency of observations and written evaluations for
probationary and permanent certificated-employees;
007.06A1c Specific district-defined
evaluation criteria, which include, at a minimum:
007.06A1c(1) Instructional performance
(applicable to teachers only),
007.06A1c(2) Classroom organization and
management (applicable to teachers only), and
007.06A1c(3) Personal and professional
conduct.
007.06A1d
Provision for written communication and documentation to the evaluated
certificated-employee specifying all noted deficiencies, specific means for the
correction of the noted deficiency, and an adequate timeline for implementing
the concrete suggestions for improvement;
007.06A1e Provision for the
certificated-employee to offer a written response to the evaluation;
and
007.06A1f A description of the
district plan for training evaluators.
007.06A2 In the event a district changes its
policies or procedures for certificated-employee evaluation, it shall submit
the revised policies and procedures to the Commissioner or designee for
approval. If the Commissioner or designee finds the policies and procedures in
compliance with the requirements of Sections
007.06A through
007.06A1f, of this
Chapter, it notifies the district in writing that such policies and procedures
are approved. Such approval shall remain in effect until there is a change in
the policies or procedures by the district, or the amendment of state law or
regulations relating to such approval. In the event the Commissioner or
designee does not find the revised policies and procedures of the district in
compliance with the provisions of this Chapter, the Commissioner or designee
will notify the district in writing and the district may resubmit amended
policies and procedures.
007.06B All evaluators, with the exception of
the local board of education when it evaluates the superintendent, possess a
valid Nebraska Administrative Certificate and are trained to use the evaluation
system used in the district.
007.07
Staff
Development
Quality Indicator: Staff
development supports instructional improvement, the local school improvement
plan, and accomplishment of school and/or school system goals.
007.07A The school system annually conducts
or arranges staff development sessions. Each teacher participates in at least
ten hours of staff development activities each year.
