1. National Board Certification – You Can Do it!
Dr. Melissa Shields, NBCT
ALSDE

2. Session Website For Today’s Handouts, Resources, and Links
Click “For Teachers”

4. What is National Board Certification?

5. National Board Certification
A network of accomplished teachers who are taking leadership roles and affecting policy
A way to develop, recognize, and retain accomplished teaching
Rigorous, high standards, created by teachers, scored by teachers

6. NBCT Eligibility in Alabama
Bachelor’s degree
Three years of teaching or counseling
Valid state or school counseling license
Questions about eligibility call
(800) 22-TEACH

7. 25 Certification Areas Art – Early/Middle Childhood
Literacy: Reading – Language Arts – Early/ Middle Childhood
Art – Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Mathematics – Early Adolescence
Mathematics – Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Career and Technical Education - Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Music – Early/ Middle Childhood
English as a New Language – Early/ Middle Childhood
Music – Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
English as a New Language – Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Physical Education – Early and Middle Childhood
English Language Arts– Early Adolescence
Physical Education – Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
English Language Arts – Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
School Counseling – Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Exceptional Needs Specialist – Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Science – Early Adolescence
Generalist – Early Childhood
Science – Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Generalist – Middle Childhood
Social Studies – History – Early Adolescence
Health Education – Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Social Studies – History – Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Library Media – Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
World Languages – Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood

8. NB 5 Core Propositions “What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do”
PLAN Absolutes
NB 5 Core Propositions “What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do”
Absolute #2: Develop a clearly articulated curriculum to reflect the scope and sequence of instruction most appropriate for learners based on the content standards.
Teachers are committed to students and their learning.
Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students.
Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.
Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience.
Teachers are members of learning communities.
Absolute #1: Teach to the standards.
Absolute #4: Progress monitor regularly through formative, interim, and benchmark assessments.
Absolute #5: Adjust/differentiate instruction…
Absolute #3: Align resources to support the implementation of the aligned curriculum…

9. National Board Certification emphasized several times in current draft.

10. copied from http://www.nbpts.org/

11. “Elevating Teaching, Empowering Teachers”
More than a decade of research from across the country confirms that students taught by National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) learn more than students taught by other teachers.
Estimates of the increase in learning are on the order of an additional one to two months of instruction and the positive impact is even greater for high-need students.
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12. Copied from http://www.nbpts.org/research/

13. The NBC process has changed. Why?
Incorporate the latest research. Just as NBPTS asks teachers to be reflective in their practice, they are reflective to ensure the certification process mirrors the evolving nature of the profession and current research on best practices in teaching. The process was last revised in 2001.
Remove barriers. NBPTS is working with National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and other experts in the profession to remove barriers in the process that have nothing to do with whether a teacher is accomplished.
National Board Certification needs to be the norm, not the exception.
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14. What’s different?
While teachers can complete the entire certification process in one year, some may choose to do so over several years if that fits better with other demands on a teacher’s time.
While maintaining the same level of rigor, the process will be grouped into four components.
The total cost of certification will decrease to $1,900, with each of the four components costing $475. Candidates will have the option to pay for and submit each component separately.
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15. What’s not changed?
Though the process is changing, the principles remain the same:
National Board Standards
Five Core Propositions
Architecture of Accomplished Teaching
National Board Certification remains performance-based and peer-reviewed, with the same emphasis on content knowledge and commitment to student learning.
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16. The NEW Certification Process
Computer-based assessment
Component 1: Content Knowledge assessment
Portfolio entries
Component 2: Differentiation in Instruction
Component 3: Teaching Practice and Learning Environment
Component 4: Effective and Reflective Practitioner

17. Component 1: Content Knowledge
Computer-based assessment
Focus: Knowledge of and pedagogical practices for teaching in specific content areas
3 constructed response exercises (up to 30 minutes each)
Approximately 45 selected response (up to 60 minutes total)

18. Component 2: Differentiation in Instruction
Classroom-based portfolio entry
Focus: Demonstrate students’ growth over time and a written commentary that analyzes their instructional choices
Primarily comprised of samples of student work and an accompanying written commentary

19. Component 3: Teaching Practice and Learning Environment
Classroom-based portfolio and video entry
Focus: Demonstrate how candidates engage students and impact their learning
Written commentary describing, analyzing and reflecting on teaching and interactions

20. Component 4: Effective and Reflective Practitioner
Portfolio entry
Focus: Demonstrate your abilities as an effective and reflective practitioner in developing and applying your knowledge of your students and your use of assessments to effectively plan for and positively impact your students’ learning. Provide evidence of your collaboration with families, the community, and colleagues and of your contributions to learning communities to advance students’ learning and growth.

21. Overview of the Certification Process
Computer-Based Assessment
Component 1: Content Knowledge Assessment
Portfolio entries
Component 2: Differentiation in Instruction
Component 3: Teaching Practice and Learning Environment
Component 4: Effective and Reflective Practitioner

22. To Get Started…..
Register at and confirm you meet the eligibility prerequisites.
Pay the $75 annual registration fee.
Select the components you’d like to complete; fees can be paid now or later
Review the standards for your certificate area
Look for area or online mentoring groups.

23. copied from http://www. nbpts

24. Fees
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25. copied from http://www.nbpts.org/

26. Scholarships and Stipends
Alabama Scholarship – Due Sept. 15!
Through the generosity of corporate and foundation partners, National Board is periodically able to offer a limited number of scholarships to help offset a portion of the fees. Visit website for more info.
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a reimbursement incentive to eligible veterans of up to $2,000 for NBC fees for each first-time or retake assessment. For more info, visit the National Board website or call (888) GI-BILL-1.
Alabama Incentive
$5000 each year for life of certificate

27. Support During the NBCT Process
Many PLC groups online – find them with a simple Google search
Alabama NBCT Facebook Group
“New Candidate” Facebook/Twitter Groups
Monthly (or bi-monthly) mentoring sessions near or in your area
Regional Inservice Centers
STIPD

28. Support and Mentoring Works!
National Average for 1st Year Candidates Achieving Certification: 40%-45%
JSU Regional Mentoring Groups (began in 1999): 68%
Etowah County Schools: 73%

29. ATLAS
Online library of authentic videos showing accomplished teachers at work in the classroom
The library features board-certified teachers' approaches to teaching
Videos include instructional materials, written reflections, and analyses
Provides over one thousand cases covering most subjects, grades, and school settings
ARICs provide access to this resource through school, district, regional PLCs.

30. Renewal
NBCTs begin renewal in their 8th or 9th year of their original certificate cycle.
NBCTs must renew BEFORE their original certificate expires.
If original certificate expires, the NBCT must begin National Board Certification again with a new portfolio and assessment exercises.
$1,250 certification renewal fee

31. Renewal Portfolio – 3 Components
Written Commentary and Documentation of FOUR Professional Growth Experiences (PGEs)
Choose one PGE and submit one 10-minute classroom video (from original certificate)
Select another PGE and demonstrate its application in classroom or with colleagues (6-minute video OR 8 “learner work” pages).
Overall Reflection

32. QUESTIONS?