Colorado

Colorado Candidate Financial Support

Colorado is pleased to announce that funding will be available to help offset the cost of the assessment fee. This funding will be made possible through a Federal Subsidy grant from the United States Department of Education and through House Bill 1375, of the Colorado General Assembly in 2008. Please read the information below for specific details, deadlines, and contact information.

Funding Available - First-Time Candidates State Funding
The State of Colorado, through Senate Bill 199, allocated $125,000 in state matching funds for each candidate teaching in a public school who qualifies for Federal subsidy funds (for as long as the monies last).  Since this is matching funds, candidates will receive specific information about state funds (if available) only after receiving the Federal subsidy allocation.

Funding Available - First-Time Candidates Federal Funding
We expect to receive a Federal Subsidy grant from the United States Department of Education to help with public school teachers' assessment fee for National Board Certification for the 2008-2009 candidate cycle. We are accepting applications for $1,000 federal subsidy, and will award the fundson a first come, first served basis as long as you have not used federal subsidy funding for National Board Certification in the past.  We also have matching Colorado funds for $125,000, from Senate Bill 199, and will send you information about the state matching funds only after you have been allocated federal funds. 

Candidates must meet NBPTS eligibility guidelines and complete application requirements for Colorado as stated below. Deadline to apply: November 15, 2008.

Federal Subsidy Application requirements:

1. Complete and submit the National Board Certification application online at: www.nbpts.org, include the nonrefundable $65 application processing charge as well as the nonrefundable $500 initial payment. Print a copy of your profile indicating the $500 initial payment has been posted to your account.

2. Submit a one-page letter to Rhonda Naylor, Colorado Candidate Subsidy Administrator, at: rhondanaylor@comcast.net, with the above copy attached, if possible.

3. Include all of the following in your one-page letter in order to be considered for federal subsidy funds:

                  Your full name

                  current email address

                  NBPTS candidate ID number

                  home telephone number

                  home address

                  National Board Certification field for which you are applying

                  current teaching assignment, public school, district

                  years of teaching experience

                  An explanation of why you want to earn National Board Certification and how it will help you and your students work
toward achieving high standards in teaching and learning.

Funding Available Retake Candidates
Colorado does not provide funds for retake candidates.

Several organizations provide scholarship support to candidates pursuing National Board Certification. For more information, visit the Scholarship page.

• Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year and ending with the 2010-2011 school year an annual stipend of $1,600 shall be awarded to any NBCT that is employed to teach in a school district, a program operated by a board of cooperative services, or a charter school. Additionally, an annual stipend of $3,200 shall be awarded to any NBCT, who is employed as of May 1, in a given school year in a school that received a low or unsatisfactory rating on the previous year’s school accountability report. Note: An NBCT shall continue to receive the additional stipend award if he or she remains employed in a school that was previously rated as low or unsatisfactory but receives a higher rating in a subsequent school accountability report. These stipends are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any existing compensation being awarded at the local level to a teacher who holds certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
• The Colorado Department of Education will issue a Professional Teacher License to any applicant who is certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The State Board of Education has determined that professionally licensed teachers who achieve National Board Certification are eligible for Colorado “master teacher” certification; professional development activities associated with certification may be submitted for license renewal.  
• The state of Colorado has signed the 2005-2010 NASDTEC Interstate Contract and will award their highest level certificate to any person who has obtained National Board Certification in an area corresponding to that for which certification is sought, provided the applicant also holds a comparable and valid certificate issued by any Member state and has complied with any requirements of the receiving state regarding experience, degrees held, citizenship, and moral, ethical, physical, and mental fitness, and completion of any post-baccalaureate study required by the receiving Member.

Review a list of school districts in this state that offer support and/or incentives for candidates and National Board Certified Teachers.  It is possible that your school district or local businesses offers support not included in the above link.   Check with your school, your school district’s Web site or your state program administrator for more information.

If you are aware of local incentives supporting National Board Certification in your school district please Contact Us.  Include complete contact details so that we can reach you to verify the information.