Created in 1987 as a result of the publication of A Nation at Risk, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is dedicated to bringing respect and recognition to the teaching profession. The mission of the NBPTS is to establish high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do, to develop and operate a national, voluntary system to assess and certify teachers who meet these standards, and to advance related education reforms for the purpose of improving student learning in American schools.

Teachers form the majority of the Board of Directors, and are involved in setting and measuring the standards that define accomplished teaching. In addition, teachers score the portfolios and assessment center exercises.

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National Board certification is a process in which teachers demonstrate that their teaching practice meets high and rigorous standards through writing, student work samples, and videos of classroom teaching. Teachers must articulate and analyze how their instructional practice meets student needs and how they make sound professional judgments to improve student learning. Teachers must also document how they collaborate in a professional educational community.

For National Board certification, a teacher must complete a two part assessment process:

1) Develop a portfolio with four entries that shows the teacher's impact on student learning. The portfolio includes written reflections on instruction, students' work samples, videotapes of classroom teaching, documented accomplishments and parent communication.

2) Successfully complete six 30-minute assessment center exercises on the content knowledge for the certificate area s/he is seeking.

Candidates report that they spend an estimated 200-400 hours completing the process.

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A teacher is eligible, if at the time of application, he or she possesses a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, has completed three years of successful teaching at one or more early childhood, elementary, middle, or secondary schools, and holds a valid state license.

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Fairfax County Public Schools supports the National Board certification process by providing:

• Informational Sessions about the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards: Teachers who want to learn more about the background of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, available certificates, funding procedures, and candidacy requirements should attend the information sessions offered throughout the school year.
  

Dates and times are advertised in the Supergram.

• NBPTS Pre-Candidacy Course [formerly Orientation Course]: This one-credit Academy course provides an overview of the certification process, provides opportunities for the prospective candidates to engage in simulations, and helps the teachers make an informed decision about the timing of the certification process in their professional schedules. Completion of this course is required for FCPS funding. These courses are advertised in the Academy Catalog.
  
  
• NBPTS Candidacy Course [formerly Support Seminar]: This optional seminar supports teachers pursuing National Board Certification. This three-credit, fifteen-session class helps candidates understand the processes required for completing their portfolios and assessment center exercises.
  

Topics include:

• Identify the certificate standards in classroom practice
  
• Provide descriptive, analytical, and reflective forms of writing
  
• Utilize rubrics and scoring guides for self analysis
  
• Utilize online Blackboard support
  
• Receive feedback on entries from NBCTs in same certificate or developmental area
  
• Learn strategies to prepare for the Assessment Center
  

Information about the NBPTS Support Seminar is found in the Academy catalog.

 

• NBPTS Advanced Candidacy Course:  This is an optional seminar for those candidates who desire to retake either the assessments or portfolios to achieve their certification.  It is a one-credit course, taught by former Advanced Candidates.  The focus of the course reflects the individual needs of the advanced candidates
  
  
• Professional Network: NBCTs who complete a Teacher Leadership Project meet twice a year to collaborate and discuss their initiatives. School Board members, The Superintendent and members of the Leadership Team are invited to these meetings. Since 2004, NBCTs have had the opportunity to network with each other through a Blackboard Online Community.
  
  

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• Fairfax County Public Schools
  

All National Board Certified Teachers [NBCTs] who work at least 50% of the time will automatically receive a stipend of $1750; NBCTs who teach in high-risk schools will automatically receive an additional stipend of $1750.
Depending upon budget availability, NBCTs who do not teach in high-risk schools may be awarded a stipend for assuming special teacher leadership roles/projects in their schools or centrally in the school system, keeping within the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Five Core Propositions.

• Virginia
  

Depending upon budget availability, National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) are eligible to receive an initial bonus of $5,000 for the first year of the NBPTS certificate and $2,500 annually for the remaining 9 years. The full bonus amount has been budgeted for 08-09. The bonus has also been budgeted for 09-10. The NBCT must be currently employed in a Virginia public school with at least 50 percent of the regular scheduled school day in direct contact with students. The teacher's employment must be verified by the Superintendent or designee. Payment of the NBCT bonus begins the year following certification.

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Step 2: Complete the NBPTS Pre-Candidacy Course [formerly Orientation Course]:

This course is required for FCPS funding of the $2565 candidacy fee (dependent on budget approval)

Step 3: Complete and submit the FCPS Candidate Commitment form and necessary paperwork.

Step 4: Enroll in the NBPTS Candidacy Course [formerly Support Seminar] (optional). The seminar will be advertised in the Academy Catalog.



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