Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT)

What is HQPD? HQPD is not a new, high-resolution television or computer monitor or the latest satellite technology or a global positioning system.

HQPD stands for high-quality professional development — which is a program or a system, rather than a set of isolated workshops or activities. It is an on-going and fucused, data-driven and ideally imbedded in the daily work setting of the professional educator.

Ohio has clear and rigorous academic content standards for the Pre K-12 students in the core academic subject areas. Successful implementation of the standards requires high-quality educators. Both the No Child Left Behind legislation at the federal level and Ohio's Senate Bill 2 emphasize the importance of high-quality professional development "stating any school receiving federal funds must provide high-quality professional development to educators."

A high-quality professional development program is approached systematically and is a continuous and reflective program involving all educators in the planning, implementing and sustaining. Ohio's Framework for high quality professional development, based on research and national and state standards, includes 10 criteria grouped around the following three key organizers: context, process and content.

Context

1. HQPD results when collaborative teams meet regularly to plan, implement and sustain professional development.
2. HQPD is supported by leaders that articulate the link between improved student learning and the professional learning of teacher and who create school climate, policies and structures that support teacher growth.

Process

1. HQPD is a cyclical process that ensures that participants have multiple opportunities to engage in evaluation, reflection and feedback.
2. HQPD is based on the goal of increasing student achievement through an analysis of classroom, school district and statewide student data.
3. HQPD is designed by and for educators with activities designed to acommodate variations among learners.
4. HQPD is aligned with the comprehensive, continuous-improvement plan goals of the building and the district.
5. HQPD is data and results driven and evaluated from multiple perspectives.

Content

1. HQPD is focused on student achievement.
2. HQPD enables educators to create supportive learning environments in which all students are understood, respected and supported.
3. HQPD is based on research. It informs educators on research and provides them with skills to assess and use research in their practice.

SST 3 strives to offer a wide variety of opportunities for professional development including workshops, college credit courses and hands-on assistive technology training for families and professionals which support the goal of high-quality professional development.

Below are links to resources pertaining to HQT.

• FOCUS Magazine, Special Edition: Highly Qualified Teachers
• Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) Toolkit
• HQT Forms A & D

Tel: (216) 524-2770
Fax: (216) 524-2885