Applying for National Board Certification

1. Applying for National Board Certification What North Carolina Teachers Need to Know

2. What is National Board Certification? • Recognition of accomplished teaching • Evaluation of teaching practices • Improved performance and achievement for students

3. Research on National Board Certification • University of Washington & the Urban Institute Study (3/8/2004) • “Can Teacher Quality Be Effectively Assessed?” • Data included annual test scores of NC students in grades 3-5 for three academic years.

4. Research on National Board Certification • Teachers who achieve National Board Certification do a measurably better job in the classroom

5. Research on National Board Certification • Students of NBCTs improved an average of seven percent more on their year-end math and reading tests.

6. Research on National Board Certification • This performance differential was most pronounced for younger and lower income students whose gains were as high as 15 percent.

7. The National Board Certification Process • Portfolio entries • 3 instructional entries • 1 documented accomplishments entry • Assessment Exercises • 6 content-specific exercises

8. The National Board Certification Process • Instructional Portfolio Entries • Writing – Description, Analysis, Reflection • Planning and Collaboration • Videotaping – Small group, Whole Group, Segments • Student work – Analysis, Reflection • Documented Accomplishments Entry

9. The National Board Certification Process • Assessment Center Exercises • Six content-specific exercises • 30 minute timed questions • Orientation at http://www.nbpts.org/for_candidates/assessment/prepare_for_your-appoint

10. Eligibility Criteria for National Board Certification • Possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution • Completed three years of successful teaching (or as a school counselor if applying for ECYA / School Counseling certificate) • Hold a valid teaching license (or a valid state license as a school counselor if applying for ECYA / School Counseling certificate)

11. Support from the State of North Carolina • $2,500 assessment fee • Up to three days of paid professional leave • Renewal credits for completion of all components (15 CEUs) • Salary differential of 12% of base state salary

12. Eligibility Criteria for State Support • Paid entirely from state funds (If not paid from state funds, please see your school districts NBC coordinator.) • Completed three years of teaching in the NC Public Schools • Hold a clear, continuing NC teaching license (Standard Professional II license) • Engage in direct classroom instruction, library/media or school counseling work 70% over the course of a school year

13. North Carolina Promissory Note for NBC Process • Complete the National Board Certification process in the initial year of candidacy, including submitting all portfolio entries and assessment exercises • Teach full-time the entire school year in North Carolina following initial candidacy

14. Before Applying for National Board Certification • Study the NBPTS standards for your teaching and certificate area. • Read the portfolio instructions for your certificate area. • Analyze and reflect upon your personal and professional time to commit to the process.

15. Before Applying for National Board Certification • Determine the resources you already have and those you’ll need to acquire in order to give this your best effort. • Determine what kind of support you will need and whether it is available to you in your school, district, or region. • Contact NBPTS at www.nbpts.org or 1.800.22.TEACH to learn more.

16. Procedures and Requirements • Application window for state funding is March 1, 2009 – October 31, 2009. • Review criteria for NC funding. • Meet all requirements at the time of application. • Review the NC eligibility for NBPTS Pay Differential.

17. Procedures and Requirements • Apply directly to National Board at www.nbpts.org using the online application. • Pay the $65.00 processing charge to NBPTS. • Link to NC web site to complete online application for state funding.

18. Frequently Asked Questions • NBPTS – www.nbpts.org or 1.800.22.TEACH • NC website –http://www.ncpublicschools.org/recruitment/nationalboardcertification/ • Application window – March 1, 2009 – October 31, 2009

19. Frequently Asked Questions • Available certificates (www.nbpts.org/candidates/ckc.cfm) • Withdrawal process • Notify NBPTS by completing withdrawal form • Fax withdrawal form to NC DPI • Repay the $500.00 non-refundable fee (withdrawal before portfolio or assessment) • Repay the $2,500.00 assessment fee (for non-completion or withdrawal after deadlines)

20. Frequently Asked Questions • Advanced candidates • Candidates who do not achieve certification on the first attempt are allowed to bank their scores and resubmit entries for two years. • Retake funding is provided to advanced candidates on a first come first served basis through a federal grant.

21. Guidelines for Pay Differential • Legislation • Teachers must spend at least 70% of the work time in classroom instruction with the remaining 30% in areas such as mentoring, writing curricula, and staff development. • Library media coordinators and guidance counselors must be working in the area of state certification and employed in an area of NBPTS certification other than direct classroom instruction.

22. Guidelines for Pay Differential • Intent • The intent of this legislation is to encourage highly qualified teachers to remain in the classroom, providing direct instruction to students.

23. Guidelines for Pay Differential • Interpretation • Teachers with NBPTS certification in a core subject continue to receive NBPTS pay if reassigned to another grade level or subject area. • Teachers with NBPTS certification who move from a classroom subject into instructional support that is NBPTS certified continue to receive NBPTS pay if they are NC licensed in that instructional support area.

24. Guidelines for Pay Differential • Definition of Classroom Instruction • Teach the NC SCOS • Teach same students on regular schedule • Develop and implement lessons • Grade and evaluate students’ performance • Provide input on retention and promotion • Communicate with parents • Perform duties as defined in GS 115C-307 • Required / eligible for a substitute if absent • Coded to a school, not to central office

25. Guidelines for Pay Differential • Definition of Classroom Instruction • Teacher assignments may include itinerant teaching, inclusion models of instruction, alternative school settings, team teaching, or distance learning instruction. • Assignments that do not meet criteria include tutoring, supervising of study periods, administrative duties, periodic demonstration teaching or coordinating teacher activities, or in-school suspension.

26. National Board Certified Teachers in North Carolina • NC leads the nation with 14,211 NBCTs. • # of NBCTs has tripled since 2001. • 2008- NC had 1,453 new NBCTs. • 15.0% of NC teachers are NBCTs. • 35.9% of NBCTs are in Title 1 schools. • Minority NBCTs percentages have grown. • Wake County leads the country with the highest # of NBCTs. • Over the 3-year process – approx. 66% achieve NBCT status.

27. For More Information on National Board Certification • Support and General Questions • Danny Holloman DHolloman@dpi.state.nc.us • Funding Questions • Jeanne Washburn, NC National Board Certification Program Assistant – jwashbur@dpi.state.nc.us / 919.807.3373 • Asheboro City Schools Contact Jennifer C. Smith, Director of Instructional Improvement – jsmith1@asheboro.k12.nc.us/ 336-625-5104