No Child Left Behind Legislation

NCLB Provisions Ensure Flexibility and Accountability for Limited English Proficient Students

For more on this announcement and its provisions, check the NCLB website:

Teacher Assistant Most Frequently Asked Questions

1. I've now taken the practice Workkeys and did OK. What can I expect on the real Workkeys in January?

The test will be longer and include a writing portion. This test will have a bit more content than the practice test. Since it is a test that covers a range of skills beyond what is expected to pass at the levels necessary, you may find questions more difficult and some that you can't answer. That is to be expected. Just do your best!

2. What if I do not pass the Workkeys?

We are planning to take a look at the results and determine who needs assistance. We plan to purchase the WIN Instruction Solutions for Workkeys and provide some assistance in skills needed. This will be provided at no cost to current employees. We will work that out after the test results from January come back and we know how many people need assistance.

3. What about the staff development classes? I had heard we might be able to count some work done this year in other staff development activities.

We plan to allow you to count some staff development activities that you completed at your school this year towards the 48 contact hours for 2002-2003. We will be working on how to do that in the coming weeks. Probably your building principal will assist us with verifying what activities you have completed. Details later.

4. I am currently enrolled in an Early Childhood Development program and have passed the Compass Test. Do I still have to take the Workkeys tests?

The Workkeys Test is the one selected for our district to meet the new NCLB requirements for those who do not meet the coursework guidelines. NO substitution can be made.

5. Who is paying for the Workkeys test? I understand that the paper reported on Wednesday that the district is paying for the test. If so, how many times?

Guilford County Schools will pay for the administration of Workkeys for one time.

6. What score will be required and what tests will be taken on Workkeys?

We most recently found out that teacher assistants will need to take the Level I test and pass with these scores:

Reading: Level 4

Writing: Level 3

Math: Level 4

These are minimum scores and more information will be sent out about the content of the test at these minimal levels.

7. If employed prior to January 2002, can one take the test anytime up until January 2006?

It is not advisable to wait since the Workkeys must be taken and passed, then the staff development completed. We urge everyone to take Workkeys in time to take the staff development for two years.

8. Will there be materials available prior to testing for review?

We plan to purchase a practice test for all who need to take Workkeys and provide some materials about the content of the test.

9. Will the days scheduled for Staff Development be workdays or will individuals have to use leave days?

Staff development has not been planned, but soon will be.

10. Since the guidelines for meeting the No Child Left Behind Legislation were made available Fall of 2002, according to GTCC, there is no way an individual can earn an Associate Degree by January 2006. Will there be an extension of time for those individuals who elect to go the Associate route which can be completed end of December 2006/ January 2007?

There can be no extension to meet the Federal requirements since these are written into the law. One of the three options must be completed by January 2006. Though the person would not complete the AA degree until January 2007, they hopefully would have completed at least 48 credit hours by January 2006 and would therefore meet one of the requirements.

11. I understand that GTCC, due to Budget cuts, has reduced the number of courses offered during the summer. Will the district work with GTCC to get courses offered for meeting these needs?

We are talking to GTCC now, and cannot guarantee what courses they will offer. We will pass that information on as we receive it.

12. Teacher Assistants participate in individual schools staff development. Can activities participated in since January 2002 be counted towards meeting the 96 hours of staff development requirement? If so, what approval process and or reporting process will be used?

That decision has not been made. We plan to begin shortly designing the staff development program, which will not be available until Spring 2003.

13. How do credit hours from GTCC count toward hours required for NCLB Legislation?

If they are semester hours (not CEUs or any other kind of credit not considered college credit hours), they should count. Only by submitting the transcript can a determination be made.

14. I have a one (1) year degree from GTCC with 65 credit hours. I was hired after January 2002. Will this meet the requirements of the NCLB Legislation?

If the hours are regular college credit (not CEUs, but semester hours), they should count. Before a final determination is made, a transcript must be presented for verification.

15. The business college (Ashmore Business College) I attended has closed. I have a diploma and went to the college for 12 months. Will this count?

Only transcripts, not diplomas, will be used for determining whether or not course credit can be accepted.

16. Will Teacher Assistant's staff development be handled as the certified staff? Will Prior Approval forms be required? Does one return to Human Resources at conclusion of activity with certificate/agenda for posting? If so, will Teacher Assistant's use the same forms as teachers for prior approval and posting?

At this time we plan to offer a staff development program specifically designed for teacher assistants who have not met the course requirement. This program will be the one prescribed for those on the testing track.

17. Why is the three (3) semester hours per year for two (2) years not an option?

It is listed in the information but not included on TA form for decision.

You may substitute three hours for two years in place of the staff development, but you still must take and pass the Workkeys test.

18. What if I choose not to complete any No Child Left Behind requirements?

Your employment as a Teacher Assistant with the district will end effective end of day January 8, 2006. You may however seek employment in another position that does not have legislative requirements.

19. If I was employed before January 2002, what is the deadline for meeting these requirements?

If you were employed prior to January 8, 2002, you have until the end of day January 8, 2006 to complete the requirements. However, if you were employed after January 8, 2002, your requirements must be met by end of day January 8, 2004.

20. What is the Web address for Workkeys?

Workkeys Site

21. When will I be notified if the information I submitted for proof of my Associates Degree or 48 hours of College/University credit is acceptable?

The Office of Human Resources is completing notifications to all Teacher Assistants. You should receive these memos from your Principal or Site Based Supervisor on or before Monday, November 18, 2002. Please check with your principal/supervisor after Monday, November 18, 2002, if you have not received your memo.

22. If I pass part of the test but not all of it, do I have to take the whole test over?

If you fail to pass any part of the Workkeys test you will take only that part on a retest.