Press Releases

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire Receives National Education Award

October 26, 2009

Arlington, Va. – In recognition of her outstanding contributions to teacher excellence and high-quality learning, Washington State Gov. Chris Gregoire was recently presented with a leadership award by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

This award is given periodically to policy leaders who have promoted high standards for the teaching profession and have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to promoting the growth of National Board Certification.
  
“Governor Gregoire has been a real catalyst for National Board Certification throughout the state and is quickly becoming recognized throughout the nation in using National Board Certified Teachers as change agents in state education reform,” said Gov. Bob Wise, chair of the NBPTS Board of Directors and former governor of West Virginia. “The governor’s leadership has given ‘voice’ to Washington National Board Certified Teachers by contributing to the dialogue about linking state policies to effective teaching practice.”

Gregoire received the award in SeaTac, Wash., on the eve of a policy symposium led by National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs), where more than 100 of the state’s NBCTs joined legislators, policymakers and other educators to discuss landmark legislation that commits Washington to a major overhaul of its education financing system. 

“We know that the key factor behind student outcomes rests with the teacher in front of the classroom, which is why I stand behind the investment of National Board Certification,” said Gregoire. “If every child is going to have access to quality education, we need to ensure that we grow the number of our most accomplished teachers. I am honored to receive this award and proud to support our National Board Certified Teachers.” 

With Gregoire’s leadership, combined with support from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Washington Education Association and the Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession, teacher quality in Washington classrooms continues to make substantial gains. Last year saw a record number of new NBCTs teaching in high-need schools––the largest number ever in the state. The state ranked third nationwide in the total number of teachers who achieved National Board Certification with more than 900.

Washington is home to more than 2,700 National Board Certified Teachers who are working every day to provide excellent teaching to all students, to lead within their schools, and to mentor new and struggling teachers. In Washington, a teacher who achieves National Board Certification earns a state-awarded annual bonus of $5,000 and an additional $5,000 if he or she teaches in a high-need school.

“We are grateful for the collaborative work underway that is making National Board Certification a priority in the state of Washington,” added Wise.

Gregoire and then-Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan were featured in an NBPTS-produced video promoting the impact NBCTs are making in classrooms, schools and communities across the country. “Parents in our state will tell you that National Board Certified Teachers make a difference in their students’ lives,” Gregoire said in the 10-minute presentation, “National Board Certified Teachers: Excellence, Leadership, Results,” released in February 2009.

In a congressionally-mandated report, the National Research Council (NRC) 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.
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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