• ETS has updated their cell phone policy for test takers.  The new policy applies to anyone taking a TExES, ExCET, TOPT, TASC/ASL, BTLPT, or any other ETS examination.  The new ETS policy is stated below:
  Cell phones, smartphones (e.g., BlackBerry® devices, iPhones), PDAs and other electronic or photographic devices are not allowed in the test center. If you bring these items into the test center, you will be dismissed, your test fees will be forfeited and your scores will be canceled. Test administrators are no longer permitted to collect and hold cell phones. If you have to leave to store your phone in your vehicle, you must be back before the doors to the test center are closed. Once the doors are closed, you will not be admitted, even if you have already been in the test center and left to store your phone. If you are dropped off, you must not have your phone in your possession. If you do, you will not be admitted to test.

• Educators have until October 30, 2009 to apply for a standard certificate based on passing the ExCET exams for All-Level Art PK-12 and Secondary Art 6-12.  These deadlines will be strictly enforced.  These ExCET exams are being replaced with new TExES exams.  Persons applying or being recommended after October 30, 2009 will not be eligible for these certificates, and will need to meet requirements for one of the new standards-based certificates and pass the appropriate new Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES). 

• If you are an employee of Fort Worth ISD and need assistance to pass a TExES exam, visit the AVATAR website and look for the HRS TExES Study Sessions.  The study sessions are free and are taught by certified educators.  Seating for the sessions is limited so please register early.   

Certification Exams
Every person seeking educator certification in Texas is required to pass comprehensive examinations to ensure that each educator has the prerequisite content and professional knowledge necessary for an entry-level position in Texas public schools. These examinations are called TExES exams. To find out more information about TExES exams and to register, go to www.texes.ets.org. 

No Child Left Behind
NCLB requires school districts to have a plan for all teachers in core academic subject areas to become “highly qualified” by the end of the 2006-2007 school year. Teachers hired after the first day of instruction of the 2002-2003 school year who teach core academic subjects in a Title 1, Part A program must be “highly qualified” when hired.

“Highly Qualified” means that the teacher:

• Has obtained full State certification as a teacher or has passed the State teacher licensing examination and holds a license to teach in the State;
• Holds a bachelor’s degree at a minimum;
• Has demonstrated subject area competence in each of the core academic subjects in which the teacher teaches.

USDE rule 34 DFR 200.55(c) defines the core academic subjects as English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts (fine arts), history and geography.

To find out more information about NCLB, go to www.tea.state.tx.us/nclb.