Press Releases

NBPTS Launches Series of Reports Highlighting Impact of National Board Certified Teachers

September 9, 2009

ARLINGTON, VA – At a time when teacher quality is more critical than ever, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is launching a new series of reports highlighting the impact of National Board Certified Teachers and NBPTS programs.

The reports, Profiles in Excellence, show how these accomplished teachers and organization initiatives are advancing effective teaching and increasing student achievement. The first report in the series is entitled, “Chicago, Illinois:  Leveraging National Board Certification in a District-wide Human Capital Initiative.”

The Chicago report documents how a coalition of public and private organizations has committed to a long-term expansion of National Board Certification in one of the nation’s largest urban districts. This initiative has resulted in the number of National Board Certified Teachers increasing from 11 to 1,200 in less than a decade. In many Chicago schools, 15 percent or more of the faculty members are National Board certified and most teach in high-need schools. The report shows that:
• Student performance is improving. District-wide performance on state standardized tests has risen for seven years running.
• Teacher retention is improving. Nearly nine out of 10 teachers who have gone through the National Board Certification process remain in the district—a teacher retention rate far higher than in other urban school systems.

One of the schools featured in the report is Talcott Fine Arts and Museum Academy. This public elementary school’s population is 88 percent minority, and 86 percent of the students are eligible for federal lunch support. This high-poverty, high-need school trailed the district average on state standardized tests until it reached a turning point in 2004, when the school’s new principal turned to  National Board Certification and NBCTs to help improve teacher effectiveness and transform the school. 

Today, more than one-quarter of Talcott’s teachers are NBCTs—and student test scores have improved significantly. Recently released Talcott student test score data shows that between 2004 and 2009, the number of students who met or exceeded state standards grew from 45 percent (2004) to 79 percent (2009)—a 34 percent increase.  
To obtain a copy of the Chicago report, please e-mail jminichello@nbpts.org or call (703) 465-2171.

Nationwide, there are 74,000 National Board Certified Teachers who are working every day to provide excellent teaching to all students, lead within their schools, and mentor new and struggling teachers.

In a congressionally mandated report, the National Research Council of the National Academies confirmed that National Board Certified Teachers advance student achievement and learning, stay in the classroom longer, support new and struggling teachers and assume other school-based leadership roles. The NRC acknowledged that students taught by National Board Certified Teachers make higher gains on achievement tests than students taught by non-board-certified teachers.

National Board Certification is recognized as a model of pay-for-performance and is supported by teachers and administrators nationwide. Many states and local school districts provide salary incentives and cover the cost for teachers who pursue and achieve this advanced teaching credential.

A voluntary assessment program designed to develop, recognize and retain accomplished teachers, National Board Certification is achieved through a performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, NBCTs have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices.

For more information about NBPTS and National Board Certification, visit www.nbpts.org.

###

About the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
NBPTS is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan and nongovernmental organization. NBPTS advances the quality of teaching and learning by developing professional standards for accomplished teaching; creating and administering National Board Certification, a voluntary system to certify teachers who meet those standards; and integrating certified teachers into educational reform efforts. Today, 74,000 National Board Certified Teachers are making a positive difference in the lives of students across the nation.

© 2009 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. All rights reserved. NBPTS, NBCT, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, National Board Certified Teacher and National Board Certification are registered trademarks or service marks of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective organizations.

Contact:
James R. Minichello
(703) 465-2171
jminichello@nbpts.org