Ninety-two percent of all classes taught in Oregon's public schools during the 2007-08 school year were taught by "highly qualified" teachers, according to a report released Wednesday by State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo.

A highly qualified teacher, as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act, is one who is fully licensed by the state, holds at least a bachelor's degree and has met state requirements demonstrating mastery of subject knowledge, either by exam or by a major in his or her core academic area.

Last year's number of classes taught by highly qualified teachers increased by 2 percent over the year before. In classrooms where students have the same teacher all day - generally in elementary and middle schools - the total was even higher at 98 percent.

In all four of Benton County's school districts - Alsea, Monroe, Philomath and Corvallis - 100 percent of those "self-contained" classes were taught by a highly qualified teacher.

The total share of classes taught by such teachers ranged from 83 percent in the Corvallis School District to 98 percent in the Philomath School District.

"Parents and educators know that the quality of the teacher in the classroom is one of the most important factors in how well students learn," Castillo said.

"I am especially proud of the work we have done to create equity for students in Oregon's highest-poverty schools," she said. Across the state, 93 percent of all classes and 98 percent of self-contained classes in high-poverty schools were taught by teachers meeting the highly qualified definition.

"That achievement is the result of school districts making good hiring decisions and staffing assignments with the goal of helping all students," Castillo said.

Teachers of core academic subjects including English/language arts, math, science, foreign languages, social sciences and the arts are expected to meet the definition of a highly qualified teacher, according to the state department of education.

School-by-school information on highly qualified teachers is included in the state's annual school report cards which can be viewed online at www.ode.state.or.us.