Choosing Excellence: National Board Certification You’re at the head of your class. Now go to the top of your profession.

The National Board Certification process is the best professional development experience I’ve ever had. 2 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

National Board Certification fosters quality school counseling and student learning “The evidence is clear that National Board Certification distinguishes more effective teachers and school counselors…with respect to student achievement.” Congressionally-mandated report National Research Council of the National Academies June National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

National Board Certification ® is… Recognition for accomplished teaching and school counseling—content knowledge and teaching pedagogy Advanced certification Voluntary Assessment based on national standards of accomplished teaching and school counseling developed by teachers, school counselors and other educators 4 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Validate your school counseling practice Provide opportunities to advance your career Increase financial opportunities in many areas Provide a portable teaching license in most states Contribute to Continuing Education Units (CEU)/ re-certification requirements in some areas National Board Certification can 5 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

What National Board Certified Teachers do for your students Foster a deeper understanding of content Measurably improve your students learning and achievement Provide individualized instruction based on your students needs and strengths Help your students demonstrate knowledge through a variety of assessment methods 6 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

What National Board Certified Teachers do for your school Build learning communities Support mentoring for new or struggling teachers Create closer ties among your school and your students, families and communities Provide public distinction for your school 7 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

It’s by teachers and school counselors, for teachers and school counselors Practicing classroom teachers: Develop the standards Develop the assessments Score the assessments Provide candidate support Advocate for related education reforms 8 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

It’s about the Five Core Propositions Are committed to students and their learning. Know the subjects they teach and how to teach them to students. Are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning. Think systematically about their practice and learn from experience. Are members of learning communities. Accomplished teachers and school counselors … 9

National Board Certification covers the entire spectrum of learning 25 Certificates that:  Cover 16 content areas and 7 developmental levels  Apply to more than 95 percent of teachers  Are based on the Five Core Propositions 10 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

11 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Eligibility  At least three years experience as a pre- K-12 classroom teacher or school counselor in a public or private school  A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution  A valid teaching license or a license to practice as a school counselor 12 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

The certification process…  Is a two-part assessment  Can be completed in one year, with up to 3 years to certify  Is based on standards in each certificate area 13 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Four Portfolio Entries Demonstrate accomplished teaching Include videos of large group and individual student settings Require student work samples Document continuous learning, leadership, and collaboration Six Assessment Center Exercises Demonstrate accomplished proficiency with subject matter Are delivered at a computer-based testing center Are timed, with open-response prompts Six Assessment Center Exercises Four Portfolio Entries The assessment

Describe your most successful teaching experience 15 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Timeline 16

The Process $65 application fee Initial $500 payment Start portfolio apply Eligibility forms Remaining $2000 balance submit Schedule your assessment center appointment make an appointment Portfolio Entries – postmark by March 31 Assessment Center Exercises – by June 15 submit planningcollectingdocumenting analyzing reflecting 17 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Scores are…  Defined by a rubric based on standards and core propositions  Assigned by trained scorers in the specific teaching field  Valid, fair and reliable  Bankable 18 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

State and local information  Application process/procedure/deadlines  State/local fee support/incentives  Candidate coaching and mentoring  # of NBCTs in your state 19 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Make the commitment: factors  Time  Professional goals  Professional commitments  Personal commitments 20 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

NBCTs support candidates TEACH 21 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Candidate Support  “Candidates who reported higher quality mentoring were more likely to achieve certification.…” (Freund, 2005)  NBPTS Guidelines for Ethical Candidate Support outlines roles and responsibilities for candidates and support providers 22 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

For more information… Toll-free phone number: TEACH NBPTS Web site: 23 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards