Classroom Assignment Policy

State Classroom Assignment Policy

• Washington State contracted teachers are best assigned to courses that match the endorsement(s) on their teaching certificate according to the classroom assignment policy.
• If assigned to a non-matched endorsement area they must be approved and supported by the school district. 

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) replaced No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) on December 10, 2015.

• NCLB defined and required teachers to be "Highly Qualified." There is no definition of or requirement for "Highly Qualified Teacher" in the ESSA.  
• Districts are no longer required to identify and document "highly qualified teacher" (HQT) status for teachers hired after December 10, 2015.
• Moving forward, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) will continue to monitor teacher qualifications through the Title II, Part A office and collect data about the certification, endorsements, teaching assignments, and years of experience.

Federal Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) requires that teachers assigned to teach students with special needs:

• Have a bachelor's degree and either be certificated in special education or hold a special education license in Washington. These requirements cannot be waived.