Highly-Qualified Teacher Status

and Wilmington University's Teacher Preparation Programs

The College of Education at Wilmington University reserves the right to change requirements to comply with any licensure/ certification mandates by the Professional Standards Board and/or the Delaware State Department of Education.

As a result of a federal mandate, HOUSSE (Highly Objective Uniform State Standards of Evaluation), and each state’s requirement to comply with this legislation, expectations for both beginning and veteran teachers were developed and implemented during the 2005-2006 school year. Very briefly summarized, the law indicates that all children must be taught by “highly qualified” teachers and that each state must define what “highly qualified” means and the appropriate steps needed to achieve that status.

The State of Delaware has essentially determined the components for “highly qualified” status of NEW teachers as someone with a degree in teacher preparation from an approved program and passing scores on the appropriate PRAXIS II test. Therefore, beginning with students who started in fall 2005, or later, the appropriate PRAXIS II test is required.