Section 92-10-007 - Instructional Staff007.01Elementary 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 public school 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.007.02Middle 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 public school 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 of this Chapter: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.007.03Secondary 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 public school 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 of this Chapter 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 of this Chapter.007.04Media/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 public school 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 of this Chapter, 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 of this Chapter if such person acquires at least six (6) credit hours each year toward an appropriate endorsement pursuant to 92 NAC 24. Persons employed by a Nebraska school prior to My 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. 007.05Guidance 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, public school districts, and ultimately, college and career.
AQuESTT Tenet: Students are surrounded by effective and qualified educators throughout every learning experience, and every school and public school 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 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 Public 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 public 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 007.05 A and 007.05B of this Chapter 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 of this Chapter.007.06Certificated-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 public school district develops effective teachers and leaders to establish a culture of success.
007.06A The public school district has a written school board policy for the evaluation of certificated-employees. The policy is approved by the Commissioner or designee as required by subdivision (5)(h) of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-318, Sections 007.06A through 007.06B of this Chanter are based on statute and cannot be waived under the provisions of Section 013 of this Chapter. 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: 0Q7.06A1c(1) Instructional performance (applicable to teachers only),007.06A1c(2) Classroom organization and management (applicable to teachers only), and007.06A1c(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; and007.06A1f A description of the district plan for training evaluators.007.06A2 In the event a public school district changes its policies or procedures for certificated-employee evaluation, it must 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 must 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 school board when it evaluates the superintendent, possess a valid Nebraska Administrative Certificate and are trained to use the evaluation system used in the public school district.007.07Staff 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.92 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 10, § 007
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