National Board Certification
Background and
Facts
National Board Certification (NBC) is an advanced teaching
credential and a challenging professional development experience
offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
(NBPTS). NBC is a voluntary certification system based on
high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers
should know and be able to do and consists of an innovative
two-part assessment process which spans several months: a
portfolio of materials to demonstrate how candidates’
teaching meets National Board standards, and a one-day assessment
center experience where candidates respond to computer prompts
about subject matter and classroom situations, again keyed
to the standards developed for their field.
Established in 1987, NBPTS is governed by a 63-member board
of directors, a majority of which must be regularly engaged
in classroom teaching. NBPTS is chaired by elementary physical
education teacher Barbara Kelly, an NEA member and former
Association leader from Maine. Classroom teachers influence
all aspects of the National Board’s work, from standards-setting
to assessment development, including the scoring of all candidate
performances. MNEA Vice President Chris Guinther is a member
of the NBPTS Board of Directors.
Teachers report that National Board assessments are challenging
and time consuming, but provide a unique form of professional
development that improves their teaching practice. Because
candidates internalize the National Board standards, analyze
their teaching in relation to them and provide reflective
commentaries about the impact of teaching strategies on student
learning, many teachers have characterized National Board
Certification as the most valuable professional development
experience they ever had.
MNEA sees the value of National Board Certification to improving
teaching practice, elevating the profession and address members’
professional development interests.
If you are interested in attending a seminar to find out
more about National Board Certification visit www.mnea.org/teach/nbc.htm
Additional Information:
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