National Board Certification for Teachers Louisiana Initiative

National Board Certification for Teachers (NBCT)  Administered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization Certifies teachers who have met high and rigorous standards for teaching excellence

NBPTS Five Core Propositions 1. Teachers are committed to students and their learning. 2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students. 3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning. 4. Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience. 5. Teachers are members of learning communities.

National Board Certification  In order to apply, applicants must have: At least 3 years’ experience as a preK-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.

Certificate Areas Art Career and Technical Education English as a New Language English Language Arts Exceptional Needs Specialist Generalist Health Education – NEW! Library Media Literacy: Reading- Language Arts Mathematics Music Physical Education School Counseling Science Social Studies – History World Languages Other than English

The Process  Can take between 1-3 years to complete Two Major Components 1. A four-part portfolio of classroom teaching practice  Demonstrates what teachers can do 2. A six-part assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing center  Demonstrates what teachers know

The Portfolio  Consists of 3 classroom-based entries focused on reflection and written commentary Supported by student work and classroom videos  One entry documenting accomplishments (professional, family, community) connected to student learning

The Assessment  Six exercises delivered via a computer at testing centers  Each exercise allows up to 30 minutes for a candidates response  Each exercise focuses on content knowledge not necessarily demonstrated in the portfolio entries

Louisiana Initiative  63,852 NBCTs total (Nationally)  Louisiana currently has 1217 NBCTs  Louisiana ranks 13 th in the nation for the number of NBCTs

How Much Does it Cost?  Nonrefundable Application Processing Charge: $65  Nonrefundable Initial Fee: $500  Remaining Balance: $2,000  Total Fees: $2,565

Louisiana Subsidy Process  8(g) Grant and Federal Monies $2000 subsidy for eligible first round and/or second round applicants $850 from 8(g) and $1,150 from Federal money Teacher Take One! TM - $395 for eligible third round applicants Teacher Take One! TM - Allows educators to begin the process on a smaller scale by submitting only one predetermined portfolio entry.

Louisiana Subsidy Process - continued  Online Application includes: Online application Essay (no more than 1000 words) describing, analyzing, and reflecting upon their teaching practice  Score will decide if they are in the first, second or third round  Funding of the 2 nd and 3 rd rounds depends upon funding {8(g) and Federal}  Complete an online application located at LDE website (  Rubric Aligns with NBPTS scoring guide for portfolio entries/assessment center exercises Based on a 4-point scale  Selection of Candidates Essays are scored and ranked by NBCTs from around the state Incomplete submissions will not be considered for selection.

Louisiana Subsidy Process - continued February 11-13, March 31, and April 1-2, 2008 –  Recruitment Meetings – Potential Candidates must attend April 7, 2008  Online Application Opens – Potential Candidates must apply if want to be considered for the subsidy May 7, 2008  Application Closes

Louisiana Subsidy Process - continued  June 27, 2008  Notification to Candidates for Subsidy Award  July 2008  Writing Seminar for Subsidy Candidates – Candidates must attend  September 2008 – May 2009  Candidate Support Meetings for Subsidy Candidates – Candidates must attend 6 of the 8 meetings

Louisiana NBC Subsidy Candidate Requirements  Employment Verification Form will probably change this year as may not be needed  Writing Seminar Focuses on three types of writing (descriptive, analytic and reflective) Subsidy candidates must attend  Candidate Support Meetings (Begins in September) Assigned mentor to promote professional growth through NBC process Subsidy candidates must attend 6 of the 8 meetings

Additional Monetary Benefits  State Supplement $5000 salary supplement for eligible National Board Certified Teachers – public schools only Qualify for the supplement the year after certification Some districts provide additional supplements

Common Questions  Does a Temporary Authority to Teach (TAT) count towards years of experience? Answer: No  Does a Practitioner's License (PL) count towards years of experience? Answer: Yes  The Name Game????? Be consistent, be consistent, be consistent

Contact Information  For the Louisiana Initiative (subsidy), contact: Lisa Brochard or Andrea Farmer or  For specifics related to the National Board Certification process, contact: NBPTS at TEACH

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