All teachers within the Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD) hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and many possess advanced degrees. In addition, the majority of teachers are fully licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for their assignments. A very small number of teachers have been granted emergency licenses.
 
Federal law requires that school districts notify parents annually of their right to request information on the professional qualifications of their child’s teachers. There are a variety of questions parents may ask about a teacher. For example:
 
            1. Is my child’s teacher licensed to teach the grades or subjects assigned?
            2. Has the state waived any requirements for my child’s teacher?
            3. What was my child’s teacher’s major in college?
            4. What degree(s) does my child’s teacher hold?
 
The status of the qualifications of your child’s teacher’s licensure can be found on the Wisconsin DPI department licensing website: https://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/license-lookup. Additional information on PI 34 - Wisconsin Administrative Code for Teacher Education Program Approval and Licence can be found on the DPI website: https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/programs/rules-statute. If you do not have computer access, visit your local library, or contact the ECASD Human Resources Department or your child’s principal. Answers to questions #3 and #4 can be obtained by contacting the ECASD’s Human Resources Department at humanresources@ecasd.us or 715-852-3050.

In addition, paraprofessionals such as Bilingual Education Assistants, General School Assistants, Head Start Classroom Assistants, Heath Care Assistants, Medical School Assistants, Skill Center Assistants, and Special Education Assistants are required to meet certain criteria under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) legislation. Questions about those requirements and how current ECASD paraprofessionals have met those requirements can be directed to the ECASD’s Human Resources Department at humanresources@ecasd.us or 715-852-3050.
 
For more information on teacher qualifications or the reporting requirement for teachers and para-professionals under the ESSA legislation contact the DPI Licensing and Professional Development Team at licensing@dpi.wi.gov or call 1-800-266-1027.