Federal and State Policy Leaders

Teaching Quality is Critical to Student Achievement

Policy leaders must continually strive for new ways to help fully prepare students to compete in the global marketplace. Research consistently shows that teaching quality is a key determinant in student academic achievement.  Research also indicates that:

• Students of National Board Certified Teachers consistently show improved achievement as compared to students of non-Board certified teachers, and
• The process of National Board Certification leads to improvement in teaching practice whether a candidate certifies or not.

National Board Certification is a win-win proposition for teachers, for students and for your schools. Learn more about National Board Certification Research (PDF -- 292kb).

Why National Board Certified Teachers?

National Board Certification is a process that not only helps teachers improve their professional practice, but ensures a quality education for our students, which is an invaluable asset to our collective futures. National Board Certified Teachers are a tremendous asset (PDF -- 894kb) in your efforts to improve education because they can help you:

• Improve student learning
• Prepare students to thrive in the global marketplace
• Promote and develop standards-based education
• Fulfill state and federal mandates for "highly qualified" teachers
• Help turn around low-performing schools and match teaching methods to individual needs
• Attract and keep quality teachers 
• Provide a fair and rigorous means of identifying, recognizing and rewarding accomplished teaching
• Provide an opportunity to capitalize on your investment in professional development

You Can Help!

Encourage Teachers to be Candidates
Create incentives that encourage teachers to seek certification, including:

• Salary increases for NBCTs
• Funding to help candidates cover the costs of their assessment fees (already partially offset by Federal grants)
• A fund that encourages candidate support activities
• District & school evaluation criteria that include increasing the number of NBCTs on staff
• Participation in annual events and activities that celebrate achievement of National Board Certification
• Appointments of NBCTs to state committees, commissions and task forces

Encourage a Teacher

Invite a teacher to pursue National Board Certification. Send an electronic invitation by completing the online nomination form.