FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
THREE-TIERED SYSTEM
If a teacher is only on a waiver, do the years he/she teaches while on a waiver count?
No. The years a person works on a waiver don’t count as experience toward a
certain level. If, however, they have a K-8 license and are on a waiver for SPED, the
years do count.
What if I have experience from another state and move to New Mexico? Do all my years
of teaching count toward another level?
You must have two years experience in New Mexico as a level II before moving to a
level III.
What happens if level I teacher wants to go to a level II and has to bank some of the
scores and be re-evaluated in June? The teacher can be hired as a substitute until they
pass the dossier in October or the next window for dossier submission.
If I am teaching on an alternative licensure, do the years count as level I?
Yes, the alternative licensure counts as a level I.
What happens to a coach who is a level IIIA and is not in the classroom?
Every third year the coach will have to go into the classroom to teach to remain a
level IIIA.
How come LCPS district did not comply with the $40,000 increment that is to be given to
a level II? Did the State allocate the funds to all districts this year?
The $40,000 does not go into effect statewide until the 2005-06 school year.
I retired for one year and have returned. I have taught for the district over 20 years but
am in my third year as a returning teacher. I am staying at a level II. Am I considered a
3rd year teacher in the evaluation process?
The law states teachers in level II or III must be evaluated summatively every 3
years. If you were evaluated your first year back, this year (2004-05) would be your
2nd year of your 3 year cycle. If you have not been evaluated since your return, you
are in your 3-year cycle and must be evaluated. (Summative)
What happens if teachers keep applying but do not pass and many are out of jobs? Will
individuals on waiver take over?
After the 2005-06 school year, the PED licensure unit for anyone teaching core
subject areas will issue no waivers.
Do “New to the Building” include Level II and Level III?
Yes, anyone new to the building would need to be evaluated. (Summative)
Is this procedure on level I, observations, and other forms, followed nationwide? Do
school districts in each state have something else? If I move out of state, would I start
there at Level I?
Every state has its own mandates that must be followed by anyone wanting to teach
at that particular state. Suggestion would be to become familiar with those
mandates before considering a move.
What are the exact dates in which you expect us to compete our NMTA exams so that we
can actually have a job next year? You need to complete taking and passing the
NMTA exams before the following school year.
I am a level II right now. I plan on advancing to Level III by May of 2006. When would
I be on the summative evaluation again? You need to have two evaluations in order to
submit a dossier for licensure advancement. Need to let your Principal know you
plan to advance to ensure you have those evaluations.
I have a level III license. I had the 5-year “in-depth” evaluation last school year (’03-04).
When will my next evaluation take place again? After three years from now or during
the 3rd year of being a level III? Your next scheduled “Summative Evaluation”
would be 2006-07 school year, every three year cycle.
What does HOUSSE stand for? Highly Objective Uniform Statewide Standard
Evaluation
Will anyone be coming to the schools to present this information again like they have in
the past or is this the only chance for the teachers to get the information?
Please visit our website for information on when presentations will be made or for
updates on information. Human Resources in collaboration with Staff Development
Department will work with schools to ensure proper training takes place.
If we get National Board Certification, do we need to do a dossier also to go from level II
to III? No, it is not required to advance. The requirements to get National Board
Certification are sufficient to provide evidence of growth.
How is nursing staff evaluated? How are nurses ranked and advanced level wise?
Nurses do not fall under the 3-tiered System. They are evaluated every three years
based on their competencies.
Is the state setting the salary schedules? The state has set salaries for certified
employees on the 3-tiered system, Level I, II, and III. All others fall under a
separate salary schedule. Funding of the 3-tiered system enables the districts to
comply with the salary mandate.
If the Principal has a teacher with an administrator license, can they use them to do
observation? No, the teachers are not to be used to observe other teachers as part of
the evaluation process. (Even with an administrative license, unless they are hired as
“administrative interns” and hold an administrative license.
How will Special Education teachers who are licensed as SPED teachers and work in
inclusion settings be considered highly qualified? I foresee a problem with retaining
SPED teachers if we need to be “highly qualified” in multiple areas. Special Education
teachers are still being reviewed by the PED on their status, however, currently,
they fall under the same guidelines as regular teachers teaching core subject areas.
They need to work on having the necessary coursework or pass the competency
exam for the specific area they teach. This needs to be done by the end of the 200506 school year. Inclusion teachers are not recognized as needing to be highly
qualified if there is a regular teacher responsible for the class.
Is there information on the process for qualifying as highly qualified? I understand that
there is but we have yet to see it.
The PED Licensure Unit regarding the HOUSSE process and development of Path
One and Path Two providing options for teachers needed to be considered “Highly
Qualified” has made adjustments. Human Resources will present the most current
information available.
Will the summative evaluation be done in March 2007 for everyone? Anyone who is in
his or her 3rd year cycle in 2006-07 school year would be evaluated. (Summative)
Also, those new to the building, and all Level I teachers.
How does this whole evaluation process relate to SLP’s ? The evaluation of SLP’s
should not change other than a summative evaluation every three years.
Is there money available to teachers to help them obtain a Masters? There is money
available through the Bilingual Fellows Program that helps teachers pursuing their
bilingual endorsement, not their Masters.
I am a level III but I’m a counselor. What do I need to do to return to teach? You need
to find out what coursework you have that qualifies you to teach in the classroom.
Make an appointment with any Human Resources Administrator to review your
credentials and look at options.
I have been a teacher for 23 years and am a level III Master Teacher. Why must I now
prove I am “highly qualified” to teach? No teacher exam was required when I began.
How is it legal to make me go back and complete a requirement after it was not required
years ago? Do Educational diagnosticians follow the same evaluation process?
State mandates regulate requirements base on “No Child Left Behind” federal
guidelines. The state recognizes that some teachers indeed have many years
teaching successfully and that is why various options are made available to current
teachers under the HOUSSE process that allows other choices besides taking the
teacher exam. PED has attorneys that have advices on any legal issues.
Diagnosticians do not fall under the 3-tiered system, but will have to be evaluated
every three years.
What if you are at two school sites? Who reviews you? As a teacher of two schools with
800 students, whom do you pick to show growth? What do you do in a transient
population school area? Who reviews the Art teachers, the Principal or John Schutz?
The Principal should evaluate anyone in their building in collaboration with others
that can offer assistance. Concerning two schools, both Principals should get
together and work on an evaluation that is fair and appropriate for all parties. You
need to pick the students that you feel will give the Principal the best indication of
growth in the classroom and if growth is not shown, what can be done differently to
change the outcome. Follow the PDP guidelines.
I have one year of teaching experience in SC. This is the beginning of my second year
for LCPS. Where do I stand? Is this considered my 2nd or 3rd year? If you mean,
evaluation, you should be on your 2nd year of “summative” evaluation. Experience
wise, you are starting your 3rd year as a teacher.
Are Principals notified as to which teachers are to be summatively evaluated? What if
the teacher is not satisfied with the observation, can the teacher request another
observation? Yes, Principals are notified. Human Resources is currently working on
developing a better method in helping Principals determine who needs to be
summatively evaluated. If the teacher is not satisfied, during the post- conference,
discussion and an agreement can occur if circumstances were that the teacher felt
the observation did not give a true account of his or her performance.
Are the Principals given too much power over the evaluation on progression of teachers
as per their input on evaluations? What if the teacher disagrees with the evaluation given
by the Principals? The evaluation process should be a collaborative effort between
the teacher and the principal. Teachers can present evidence of growth in many
ways that allows the principal to look at the “whole” picture. Teachers can write
their concerns or circumstances after the observation or evaluation and will be
attached to the form. (As indicated in the Evaluation Handbook)
Will LCPS continue to pay for Master plus 15 hours and Masters plus 45 hours for level
III teachers? In other words, should I continue my education or will all level III teachers
be paid the same? All level III teachers will be paid the same in 2007-08 school year.
($50,000 a year).
There is so much to understand! Is there an HR person to talk to when questions arise?
You can e-mail any HR administrator on any questions you may have. HR is
working on establishing a database of frequently asked questions everyone can refer
to.
I’ve had a level III license since 1990. Will I be required to do a dossier to maintain my
license? When does the level III pay begin? You are not required to do a dossier to
maintain your license, but you need to meet level III competencies to maintain your
license. Level III pay began this year, with Level II and III starting at $35,000 a
year. Level II and III again for the 2005-06 school year at $40,000, then in 2006-07,
only Level III will begin at $45,000.
This is my third year teaching. My level I license expires this summer. One of these
years I taught in Texas, but I don’t have my Texas license. Do I still need to apply for a
level II, even if the 3 years weren’t all in New Mexico? You need to renew your Level
I license for one more year to enable you to complete three years at Level I. Then
you have to do a dossier in order to advance to Level II.
If I have submitted a dossier at my level I licensure, will I have to submit another when I
move from level II to level III? Yes you do.
Can I move to level III this year without a dossier? I have a Master’s degree and I am in
my 5th year of teaching. No, you have to do a dossier.
I have a Master’s with three years in and this is my 1st year as a level II. When do I start
a dossier? Start your dossier on your 3rd year at level II if you wish to advance. You
can remain at Level II until you feel you are ready to do the dossier.
Can the dossier be used as a goal? No it cannot. Base your goals on the competencies
keeping in mind the EPSS goals.
Will we submit the dossier online? If so, where? Log on to the PED’s website for
more information on the dossier procedures. You can also contact Teacher’s Center
for assistance and direction on the dossier.
Is attending the teacher induction program, having a mentor, part of the dossier package?
It is part of the process.
How can you apply for the dossier in February when you haven’t yet completed your 3rd
year? PED allows you to enter data offering various windows, one beginning in
February, but allowing you until March to submit information. (That would be
considered one window)
I am a 2nd year teacher. When can I start working on my Dossier? Can I collect samples
this year? You need to follow the Dossier guidelines as described by the PED in their
website. Most current information of data is required.
Can Level II and III submit dossiers during years one and two? No. Level III does not
require that a dossier be submitted.
Where can we find sample dossiers? Log on to the website. Check with Teacher’s
Center staff.
Why is principal feedback optional on the PDP reflection?
The teacher is given the opportunity to show evidence supporting the PDP
developed between the Principal and the teacher. Principals can add to the
reflection from their own observations.
I made a PDP when I started in November of 2003. My principal evaluated me. So is
this my second year at level I? Yes, this should be your second year at Level I.
How many pages do you need to submit for the PDP? Do we need to address the strands
and all competencies within one year? The pages depend on how much you write to
show at least one strand per year or at least three competencies.
Do level I, year one need to submit all 9 competencies for PDP? NO
Principal does need to indicate on the summative that the Level I teacher has
successfully met all nine competencies.
Can the progressive evaluation include the last 2 or 3 summatives from the last 2 or 3
year PDP’s for those with 15 years service? Yes.
I have a Master’s; must I still have 3 years experience before applying for level II? If
you have a level I license, you need three years to advance to Level II.
I am a level II; I want to become a level III. I have a doctorate and have been a music
teacher for 32 years, but am in my first year as a level II. Is there anything I can do to
accelerate the process of obtaining a level III? Under the 3-tier system, a level II
teacher has to have three years teaching experience before advancing.
I have a Master’s degree and 24 years of experience. What exactly do I need for my
evaluation and to continue at a level III? You need to successfully meet the
competencies for your licensure level.
Can a level III be dropped to a level II? Yes, if summative indicates a level III teacher
does not meet competencies, the teacher can be given the following year to show
evidence of meeting those competencies. If not, the Principal can recommend that
the level III teacher be given a Level II license.
Do I have to have my Masters before I apply for Level III? To be eligible, you must
have a Masters as part of requirements of the 3-tier system.
Why are a master’s degree and a dossier required to move to level III? 3-tier
requirements that provide evidence of professional growth as teacher expectations
become greater and with those expectations a career growth system is in place.
This is my second year teaching in Las Cruces. I taught four years before in Arizona.
Why am I only a level I and do I have to do the same things as a new teacher? Each
licensure level determines what requirements are necessary for licensure
advancement as per the 3-tier system. Any advancement of a license should have
been requested before July 1, 2004. After 2004, guidelines to follow depend on
license level you have.
I’m a level II teacher. I’ve taught for 4 years, but have been out of teaching for 10 years.
I’m presently an EA, but would like to move up. Where do I stand in this process? Does
a Master’s degree in English count for a level III license? What type of Masters’ degrees
does? Has your license expired……….you would have to reapply. The PED
licensure unit would determine what level license to issue. If you get a level II, you
would need three years at that level, along with two previous evaluations, and a
Masters before advancing. As long as you have a Masters………….no specific…but
related to the field of teaching would be the preference.