The National Board Certification program has received more recognition lately as the United States Education Department looks at how it will spend its stimulus dollars. This article will answer questions about the history, prupose and usefulness of the program.
What is National Board Certification?
National Board Certification is a national voluntary certification process that establishes what accomplished teachers know and are able to do. It is an assessment based on national standards developed with input from classroom teachers about what skilled professionals are able to accomplish in our nation’s classrooms. It is a voluntary, high caliber process of professional development for teachers. Teachers typically spend one to three years pursuing the process, which involves videotaping and writing about their teaching. Teachers are evaluated in light of national standards developed by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. The certification lasts ten years and can be renewed.
There are 25 certificates offered in 16 subject areas. A teacher can become certified in a specific age and subject category such as Early Childhood-Generalist or Adolescence Science. There are a total of ten parts to the process: four written portfolio entries and six assessment center exercises. Two of the portfolio entries require a video and one usually asks for some kind of student work analysis. The fourth portfolio entry requires documentation of teacher accomplishments as a learner, collaborator and partner with the community. The six assessment center entries are computer based, differ by certificate area, and involve teacher content knowledge.
What Does It Mean to Achieve National Board Certification?
National Board Certification is more than just adding a set of initials after your name. It is the highest symbol of professional teaching excellence. The rewards are many and becoming a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) attests that a teacher has been judged by peers as one who is accomplished in the field. Although some states offer financial rewards or incentives for completing the process, most teachers say the biggest payoff is the change in their daily practice. National Board Certification offers different things to teachers at various stages of their careers: renewing interest, laying a foundation, or reinforcing deeply held beliefs about teaching and learning.
National Board Certification:
- Meets most states’ definition of “highly qualified teacher” under NCLB
- Strengthens teaching practice and improves students' learning
- Can be taken for graduate credit
- Increases financial opportunities in many states and districts
- Provides a portable teaching license in most states
Is National Board Certification the Right Path?
Only you can decide. The only requirements are that you have a bachelor's degree, three years experience, and a valid teaching license. The first step in making the decision to apply for National Board Certification is familiarizing yourself with the standards appropriate to your subject area. The process is completely transparent, so you can find the portfolio directions and scoring guides on the National Board website. You can determine your certification area using the information below.
Age Categories:
- Early Childhood (Ages 3-8)
- Middle Childhood (Ages 7-12)
- Early & Middle Childhood (Ages 3-12)
- Early Childhood through Young Adulthood (Ages 3-18+)
- Early Adolescence (Ages 11-15)
- Adolescence and Young Adulthood (Ages 14-18+)
- Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood (Ages 11-18+)
Certificate Subject Areas
- Art
- Career and Technical Education
- English as a New Language
- English Language Arts
- Exceptional Needs Specialist
- Generalist
- Health
- Library Media
- Literacy: Reading – Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physical Education
- School Counseling
- Science Social Studies – History
- World Languages Other than English
Cost
Well, there is good news and bad news. Bad news first: $2,500. Plus a non-refundable $65 application fee. The good news is that many states offer a combination of state and federal funding that covers most if not all of the costs. Scholarships and district support are available in many areas as well. So, once you determine if National Board Certification is right for you, there is plenty of help to cover the fees.
