National Board Certification

• National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
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The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, and non-governmental agency governed by a 63-member board of directors, the majority of whom are classroom teachers. Created in 1987 by an innovative team of teachers, policymakers, academics, and corporate leaders, the National Board's mission is to establish high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do, to develop and operates a national, voluntary system to assess and certify teachers who meet these standards, and to advance education reforms for the purpose of improving student learning. During the 2000 bargaining session, the District and Teachers' Association agreed to support teachers who are interested in applying for National Board Certification by offering pre-candidacy and candidacy support programs, payment of application fees ($2500), and a 10% salary increase for teachers who obtain certification. In addition, National Board Certified teachers are eligible for financial incentive from the State of California, when available. 

For more information about the National Board Certification, please contact Lisa Isbell at ext 2900.

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Candidate Support Program

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 plans to support teachers applying for National Board Certification.

Key Program Elements

• Pre-Candidacy Professional Development Program
• Candidacy Support Program
• Financial Incentives (payment of the application fee, salary increase for National Board Certified Teachers)

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 Application.)

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 Professional Clear Teaching Credential
• Three years of successful classroom teaching experience
• Ability to demonstrate proficiency in teaching knowledge and skills

Pre-Candidate Obligations

In order to be eligible for district support for the NBPTS, each pre-candidate will be required to complete the following:

• Program application (complete with three letters of recommendation)
• Participation in 24 hours of Pre-Candidacy professional development
• Completion of all assignments related to Pre-Candidacy program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Following the pre-candidacy phase, candidate applications will be forwarded to the district1È4s Oversight Committee for National Board Certification. This committee will make the final decision about advancement to candidacy of all participants.

Candidates requesting funding assistance from LBUSD are required to participate in the pre-candidacy and candidacy program. You may pursue the National Board Certification without the assistance of LBUSD, but you will not be eligible for payment of the application fee or other assistance. All candidates earning certification will be eligible for the salary increase, regardless of participation in the pre-candidacy/candidacy program.

Candidate Obligations

• Participation in the district-sponsored Candidate Preparation Program
• Submit application to the State of California for participation in the Candidate Subsidy Program
• Completion of the portfolio entries required by the National Board
• Completion of the Assessment Center Exercises as required by the National Board
• Agreement to remain in the district for a period of two-years following completion of the National Board Process.

Payment of National Board Application Fees

There will no cost to participants in the Pre-Candidacy program. Upon advancement to candidacy, all participants will submit applications to the State of California1È4s Candidate Subsidy Program. Candidates are responsible for paying a non-returnable $300 application fee to the National Board. Upon completion of the portfolio and assessment center exercises, the district will reimburse the candidate for their portion of the application fee. (Candidates are only required to complete the National Board process, and are not required to obtain certification to be reimbursed for the application fee.)