December 8, 2005
State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Congratulates
Hundreds of National Board Certified Teachers from California
State has fourth highest number of teachers with this prestigious certification in the nation
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today congratulated 298 California teachers who recently received advanced certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
This brings the total of National Board Certified Teachers in California to 3,379, the fourth highest number in any state in the nation according to NBPTS. About 40 percent of these teachers are serving students in high-priority schools and earning a $20,000 incentive award for doing so.
"I am extremely proud of these outstanding teachers who have earned this prestigious certification," said O'Connell. "A growing body of research overwhelmingly supports National Board Certification as one of our country's most powerful professional development experiences for improving teacher quality. I want to personally congratulate each of the California teachers who have earned this national recognition. Thank you for the work you do everyday to inspire California students to learn and achieve."
A National Board Certified Teacher means an educator was judged by peers as being accomplished, making sound professional judgments about students, and acting effectively on those judgments. NBPTS certification allows teachers to gauge their skills and knowledge against objective, peer-developed standards of advanced practice. Teachers may voluntarily seek certification that complements, but does not replace, state licensing.
Certification is designed to raise the quality of the teaching profession by establishing advanced standards for experienced educators. Their knowledge and leadership are central to helping students achieve high academic standards, which is a cornerstone of O'Connell's education initiatives. National Board Certified Teachers meet the definition of a "highly qualified teacher" as defined in the federal No Child Left Behind Act. This law requires teachers hired into Title I, Part A, programs in the 2002-03 school year be "highly qualified," and that all educators teaching in core academic subjects be "highly qualified" by the end of the 2005-06 school year. California is in the process of seeking flexibility from the U.S. Department of Education on this issue, but in the meantime is complying with the requirement.
Eligible candidates for National Board certification must have a baccalaureate, at least three years teaching experience, and a valid state teaching license. Where a license is not required, educators must be teaching in schools recognized and approved by the state. NBPTS offers candidates a performance-based assessment that takes about one year to complete and has two components. Candidates must submit a portfolio of their work and also pass an assessment on their content knowledge. For a complete list of National Board Certified Teachers in California, please visit National Board for Professional Teaching Standards: NBCT Directory [http://www.nbpts.org/resources/nbct_directory] (Outside Source). For more information on NBPTS activity in California, please visit National Certification for Teachers - Teaching.
