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 Propositions1. 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 practiceR Demonstrates what teachers can do

2. A six-part assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing centerR 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 13th 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 2nd and 3rd rounds depends upon funding {8(g) and Federal} Complete an online application located at LDE website (

http://louisianaschools.net) 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 stateIncomplete 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, 2008Application 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 2009Candidate 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

lisa.brochard@la.gov or andrea.farmer@la.gov 225-342-3375

For specifics related to the National Board Certification process, contact:•NBPTS at 1-800-22-TEACH•www.nbpts.org

Questions