National Board Certified teachers have an impact on student achievement. More than 100,000 teachers in the U.S. are National Board Certified according to the National Board for Professional Standards. Thus, they teach at the highest standards in the profession. This impacts the culture and learning of many students, schools, and communities. Achieving the certification demonstrates a teacher’s dedication and commitment to students and to the teaching profession. Some evidence suggests that students taught by Board-certified teachers achieve more than students taught by non-certified teachers. However, evidence is inconclusive regarding the teacher’s effectiveness in the classroom.
Components
Applicants for NBC (National Board Certification) work on a series of written exercises. They must include a portfolio of recorded lessons and written reports on students’ assignments. The work must demonstrate knowledge of curriculum content and teacher strategies. The test consists of four components: Content Knowledge, Differentiation in Instruction, Teaching Practice and Learning Environment, and Effective and Reflective Practitioner.
National Board Applicants
Teachers who apply for NBC are mostly from advantaged schools. However, Several states now offer incentives for teachers in high-need schools to receive certification. These schools offer incentives for teachers who apply and achieve certification. Teachers who become certified stay in the field and generally move to higher positions. The sections of the portfolio are scored and weighted from 87 to 437. To receive certification, teachers must score 275. If they score below that number, they may bank their scores and retake the specified section to improve their score.
Title I schools can use funds to cover costs associated with achieving and maintaining National Board certification.
Why Become a Certified Teacher
The National Boards are a stressful process. It is time-consuming and difficult work. The process makes teachers doubt their teaching skills. It makes teachers fine-tune their skills and become better. However, it is a learning process that every teacher should experience.
After certification, many teachers become mentors and coaches for new teachers. They may also receive a raise in salary.
Not all teachers pass. That does not mean they are bad teachers. The national boards just recognize a teacher’s accomplishments, not whether they are good or bad teachers. There is time to retake each component that isn’t written as required. Teachers have a 5-year window to complete certification if they want to continue.
Plenty of teachers who are considered highly qualified do not have National Board Certification. They reflect on their skills, and their students succeed. Some feel it is too time-consuming and takes planning time away from the students.
National Board Certification is not a determination of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ teachers. It’s just one form of certification that educators are able to achieve. It is not a requirement for teachers.
