Employment Standards For Teachers

(1) A teacher with a professional license may teach Algebra I at any grade level if they have: (a) An endorsement to teach at least through grade eight (8); (b) A passing score on the middle school math PRAXIS or Pearson NES middle grades and early secondary assessment; and (c) Successful completion of a state-approved training or a passing score on a supplemental test in the content area approved for this purpose by the Department of Education. (2) Gifted Education. (a) A general education or special education teacher providing direct instruction to a student identified as intellectually gifted, in accordance with the student’s individualized education program (IEP), shall meet the following employment standards: 1. Hold a valid Tennessee teaching license with an endorsement in a general education area or special education area; and 2. Meet one (1) of the following criteria: (i) Hold an endorsement in gifted education; (ii) Provide gifted services under the supervision of a gifted consulting teacher that meets the requirements of this rule; (iii) Complete a minimum of six (6) semester hours in gifted coursework from a State Board approved educator preparation program or from an educator preparation program approved by a state other than Tennessee; or EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS CHAPTER 0520-02-06 (iv) Complete a gifted education training program recognized by the Department of Education. (b) Individuals serving as a consulting teacher in gifted education are responsible, either through direct instruction or supervision, for implementation of IEPs for gifted students. All consulting teachers in gifted education shall hold a valid Tennessee teaching license with an endorsement in gifted education. (c) Individuals serving as a gifted education coordinator in special or general education shall meet one (1) of the following employment standards: 1. Hold a valid Tennessee teaching license with an endorsement in gifted education; 2. Hold a valid Tennessee teaching license and complete six (6) semester hours in gifted education from a State Board approved educator preparation program or from an educator preparation program approved by a state other than Tennessee; or 3. Hold a valid Tennessee Instructional Leader License. (d) Individuals serving as a gifted education coordinator in special or general education shall not serve as a consulting teacher in gifted education unless they meet the requirements of a consulting teacher in gifted education under this rule. (3) Personal Finance. (a) A teacher of personal finance shall hold a valid Tennessee teacher license and shall meet one (1) of the following requirements: 1. Complete a minimum of fourteen (14) clock hours of training on use of the state adopted Personal Finance standards provided by: (i) The Department of Education; or (ii) A Department of Education-approved organization or institution of higher education; or 2. Hold an active endorsement in Economics, Business, Marketing, or Family and Consumer Sciences. (4) Year one (1) Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses in grades six (6) through nine (9). (a) A teacher of year one (1) CTE courses shall hold a valid Tennessee teacher license with an endorsement to teach at least through grade eight (8) and shall meet the following requirements: 1. Successfully complete a Department-approved training with a minimum of seven (7) clock hours of training on the implementation of CTE standards; and 2. The CTE course is offered for students in grades six (6) through nine (9). (5) End of Course (EOC)-assessed subjects. (a) A teacher with a valid Tennessee teacher license may teach a course with an EOC assessment at any grade level if the educator: EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS CHAPTER 0520-02-06 1. Demonstrates sufficient content knowledge in the course material by taking and passing, at the teacher's own expense, the relevant content-area assessment listed in State Board Policy 5.105 Professional Assessments for Tennessee Educators in accordance with T.C.A. § 49-6-6006.