Florida

Florida Candidate Financial Support

Florida is pleased to announce that funding is available to help offset the cost of the assessment fee. This funding is made possible through a Federal Subsidy grant from the United States Department of Education and the Dale Hickam Excellent Teacher Program. Please read the information below for specific details, deadlines and contact information.

 PLEASE NOTE:  The Florida Legislature is currently in session and is considering proposed legislative changes to the Dale Hickam Excellent Teaching Program (DHETP) which could eliminate the funding of the state sponsored assessment fee subsidy for new candidates this year. Please understand that by applying at this time, you may lose the non-refundable fees paid to National Board during the application process should the proposed legislation be adopted and you choose NOT to pay the full $2500 assessment fee personally. The session will conclude on May 2, and information on program changes will be disseminated as soon as possible after that conclusion to district contacts for the DHETP throughout the state. You may contact the district coordinator for the DHETP in your county for more information. 

Funding Available - First-Time Candidates State Funding
Florida, through the Dale Hickam Excellent Teaching Program, pays 90 percent of the certification fee for first time candidates for National Board Certification. To be eligible to receive the fee subsidy, an applicant must:

• Be employed full-time as instructional personnel within the meaning of Section 1012.01(2)(a)-(c), Florida Statutes, as reflected by contract, the school district’s personnel salary schedule or the school district’s approved staffing plan
• Engage exclusively in activities that further student instruction, for example, through advising, teaching and mentoring students and offering information resources to students
• Teach students a majority of the time
• Complete the NBPTS online application and pay online the portion of the application fee for which the applicant is responsible
• Demonstrate satisfactory performance on the most recent, regular annual performance appraisal conducted pursuant to Section 1012.34, Florida Statutes
• Hold a valid Florida educator’s certificate that has not been subject to discipline as the result of a final order of the Education Practices Commission after a formal, informal or show cause hearing or settlement agreement agreement in the previous five years.
• Adhere to all school district, Department and NBPTS requirements, procedures and deadlines.

If eligible, you must complete the following in order to receive the fee subsidy:

1. Complete and submit the candidate application
2. Complete the Florida Promissory Note 
3. Pay $250 (10 percent of the $2,500 NBPTS application fee) plus the $65 application fee to NBPTS.
4. Complete and submit the online application, and Promissory Note, and pay all related fees by the September 30, 2008 deadline.

Please Note: All of these steps must be completed online. The Florida Department of Education will no longer accept paper applications or forms. Also, all payments must be submitted directly to NBPTS. Deadline to apply: September 30, 2008

Funding Available Retake Candidates
The Florida Department of Education will utilize Candidate Subsidy Funds provided by the United States Department of Education and the Washington Mutual Foundation to support retake candidates that have never previously received federal funding.  The funds will subsidize one retake exercise per retake candidate on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are expended or until the Florida retake funding deadline date whichever comes first.  Funds are limited and cannot be guaranteed to all who apply. Eligible candidates should submit the NBPTS online retake application and payment for all retake exercises except one.  That one will be funded by federal funds. Following submission of the online retake application and payment, allow 2-3 weeks for processing, then go to My Profile  on the NBPTS Web site to view fee status.  Deadline to Apply:  WINDOW CLOSED

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

• Through the amended Dale Hickam Excellent Teaching Program Act, legislation provides teachers, who achieve National Board Certification, up to a 10% annual bonus for 10 years, and an additional 10% to those who agree in writing to provide the equivalent of 12 work days of mentoring and related services to public school teachers within the state who do not hold NBPTS certification. Note: The mentoring bonus will not be funded by the state for the upcoming 08-09 fiscal cycle. These additional monies are equal to 10% of the prior fiscal year’s statewide average salary for classroom teachers and will now be included in a teacher’s base salary.
• Florida has also recognized National Board Certification as a means of meeting the requirements for license renewal, and teachers with a valid National Board certificate may demonstrate mastery of Professional Preparation and Education Competence.
• Florida will grant a license to currently valid National Board Certified Teachers who come from out-of-state.
• National Board Certified Teachers are considered highly qualified in the state of Florida.  Please refer to the following chart for a more detailed explanation of requirements: Florida Highly Qualified Chart.
• The state of Florida 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.