Highly Qualified and Testing Requirements

As noted on the eligibility page, all participants are required to reach a Highly Qualified teaching status by verifying their degree and coursework, or by taking one or more exams in order to meet eligibility requirements for a particular subject area. To ensure that TEACH Charlotte participants begin their teaching careers as highly-qualified, candidates must be eligible to qualify for a North Carolina Standard Professional I license by:

• having a bachelor’s degree from a Regionally Accredited College/University AND
• passing all required exams; you may initially verify your Highly Qualified Status by  having a minimum of 24 semester hours of course work in the core areas of Mathematics, Science, English, or Spanish, but you will still need to pass your required Praxis II subject area tests before the end of your first year in the classroom.

All participants must meet eligibility requirements for a Highly Qualified status by June 1, 2013. There are two options in which a candidate can initially verify their Highly Qualified status, but ultimately ALL candidates must take and pass their required subject area Praxis II tests in order to remain enrolled in the TEACH Charlotte program and be recommended for a Standard Professional I license. Please refer to charts below to determine which option is the best fit for you. 

Specific Testing Requirements

Before applying to the program, you should review the program eligibility requirements, consider your eligibility when stating subject area preferences on the TEACH Charlotte online application, and then register for the exams as soon as you receive your subject area assignment from the TEACH Charlotte program staff. The appropriate exam(s) will vary for each applicant, depending on the subject she/he may teach during the school year. The exams are offered in paper or computer-based testing formats, and registration is handled by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for Praxis II exams, and by Language Testing International for ACTFL exams. Click here for more information about the Praxis II subject assessments and click here to register (exam dates listed below).

Dates for testing are very limited, and applicants are required to register for tests well in advance. TEACH Charlotte recommends you register for your tests as soon as possible. If you are invited to an initial phone interview, you will receive a subject area assignment within two weeks of submitting your online application. You should request your three (3) official transcripts and register for your required content-specific exams as soon as you receive your subject area assignment. Registering early allows candidates maximum time to study for the exams, as well as re-take them if needed. Additionally, TEACH Charlotte highly recommends that candidates bring proof of test registration and their official transcripts to their interview events. All candidates are required to submit proof of test registration or passage in order to be extended an offer into our program. Additionally, candidates who pass their required exams early may receive preference during the selection process. Candidates will not be eligible to start the program if they fail to meet the Highly Qualified status through a conferred degree and coursework or do not pass all required exams by June 1, 2013; no exceptions will be made.

Click here to register for your Praxis II exams now.

Option 1: Verification of Highly Qualified Status by passing the Praxis II exam (paper or computer-based tests are acceptable) 

Option 2*: Verification of Highly Qualified Status by meeting coursework requirements 

 *Taking and passing your Praxis II subject area tests are a North Carolina Department of Public Instruction requirement for applying for your Standard Professional I License. Even if you are eligible for Option 2, you will still be required to take your required Praxis II subject area tests before Pre-Service Training starts in June. If you are invited to an Interview Event, please bring your proof of test registration or passage with you. Additionally, you will complete a survey at the Interview Event that will allow you to indicate that you would like to use Option 2 to initially verify your Highly Qualified status. After a careful review of your transcript, you will receive notification from the program as to whether or not you qualify for Option 2, or if you are only eligible for Option 1.

Praxis II Preparation

It is imperative that all candidates thoroughly study for all required exams. Teachers and candidates report that these exams are challenging and require thorough preparation in order to pass -- even for individuals with deep content knowledge or relevant professional experience. As you prepare, consider the following test preparation resources recommended by teachers:

• Visit www.ets.org or click on the testing links in the table above to view the Tests at a Glance feature and access an overview of the material covered on the exam. You can also download sample test problems.
• Consider purchasing ETS’ Praxis Study Guides. However, please note that many candidates report that the exams are more rigorous and difficult than these study guides; thus candidates will likely need study materials beyond these resources.
• Refer to college and high school textbooks focused on the appropriate subject matter for your Praxis II tests.
• Consider borrowing or purchasing study guides from major test preparation providers (e.g., Barrons, Kaplan, Princeton Review, etc.) at a local library or bookstore.
• Actively search the internet for additional test prep materials and resources.
• Form study groups with other candidates or teachers that you already know, or we can help you! (Log into TeacherTrack and send a message to "Testing" indicating you are interested in forming a study group with other candidates.)

Although TEACH Charlotte and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools do not specifically endorse any of these materials, and while individual's preparation needs will vary, teachers have cited these resources as helpful starting points in studying for these important tests.

Reminder: All TEACH Charlotte participants using Option 1 to verify their Highly Qualified status must prove that they have passed all required exams for their assigned subject area by May 15, 2013. Teachers who do not meet these testing requirements will not be permitted to continue in the program. Please note that it takes approximately one month to receive scores.

Each exam costs approximately $80; there is also a nonrefundable registration fee of $50 charged once per testing year. The extended and emergency deadlines carry additional fees. TEACH Charlotte teachers are responsible for these registration costs. 

Please click here for additional information on program eligibility requirements.

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