Board Certified

A U.S.program that has been around since 1987 has been getting more attention from policymakers who are "recognizing its promise and potential for addressing challenges in today's classrooms," according to an article from the National Conference of State Legislatures. It is another tool that lawmakers are using to reform schools while facing education budget cuts.

In 30 states and the District of Columbia, lawmakers are supporting the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification for teachers by offering assistance with application fees and other incentives.

Representative Roy Takumi, chair of the House Committee on Education, was quoted saying: “Reforming education requires a multi-faceted approach that includes school leadership, community involvement, safe campuses, rigorous curricula and common core standards. It also requires highly effective classroom teachers, and national board certification is one way to achieve this goal.”

The 2010 State incentives for Hawaii teachers seeking certification including fee support ($2500 plus $65 processing charge) and a salary increase of $5000 per year during which they are board certified. Hawaii currently has 268 board certified teachers. Oklahoma showed an 18.3 percent increase in the total of NBCTs certified last year.

Read the entire article here.