National Board for Teaching Standards

Program Information

The Long Beach Unified School District currently has 95 teachers who have become National Board Certified since the year 2000. Download the Directory of National Board Certified Teachers. The Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) has made a commitment to support teachers who are interested in applying for National Board Certification. This document provides information on how LBUSD supports teachers applying for National Board Certification.

Overview of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

All National Board for Professional Teaching Standards are based on five core propositions that define the skills, knowledge, dispositions and commitments that distinguish accomplished teaching.

1. 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 has three components: (1) the professional teaching standards, (2) the portfolio, and (3) the assessment center exercises. If you decide to pursue National Board Certification, your first step is to know the standards in your chosen certificate area so that you will understand how they might be reflected in your classroom teaching. (A complete list of available certifications is available on the NBPTS website (www.nbpts.org).

National Board Eligibility

In order to be eligible for participation in the National Board process, candidates must possess all of the following:

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institutions
• Valid Teaching Credential
• Three years of successful classroom teaching experience
• Ability to demonstrate proficiency in teaching knowledge and skills

• Pre-Candidacy Application

Incentives for National Board Certified Teachers

Teachers who achieve National Board Certification are eligible for district salary incentives. Teachers are awarded a 5% salary increase for holding National Board Certification. An additional 5% salary increase is awarded to teachers who provide 60 hours of "Designated Master Teacher" hours to the district. In addition, the State of California currently offers National Board Certified Teachers a $20,000 bonus ($5,000 over 4 years) for teaching at a low-performing school (API of 5 or below).

Candidate Support Programs

• National Board Candidate Support