Massachusetts

Massachusetts Candidate Financial Support

Massachusetts 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. Please read the information below for specific details, deadlines and contact information.

Funding Available - First-Time Candidates Federal Funding
The Massachusetts Department of Education will utilize NBPTS Candidate Subsidy funds for stipends of up to $1,250 per candidate. Qualified candidates will be funded on a first-applied, first-funded basis. Deadline to Apply: December 31, 2008

Funding Available Retake Candidates
Massachusetts 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.

• On August 20, 1998 Massachusetts Governor Paul Cellucci signed into law comprehensive legislation to improve the educator force in the Commonwealth. Chapter 260, known as the "12 to 62 Plan," serves as the impetus for a systemic reform effort that created the Massachusetts Master Teacher Program as well as several other programs. The Chapter 260 legislation states that Master Teacher Status can be achieved by obtaining National Board Certification or other alternatives of equal excellence and mentor within the district.  The program allowed for $5,000 bonuses to these master teachers.  Unfortunately, this program was funded through a state account that was eliminated several years ago.
  
  Currently, the state's budget includes a one-time line item that can be used to fund the outstanding financial obligations of this program in the coming year.  The department will be offering a monetary bonus (to be determined based on budget figures) to existing National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) who mentor and meet the other program requirements.  Teachers who received certification after December 2003 will not be eligible for the Master Teacher Program bonus due to limited funding. 

• National Board Certification has been incorporated into the department's recertification regulations. Teachers who achieve National Board Certification in Massachusetts are awarded 120 PDP's, which is good for one round of recertification. It has also been added to the licensure regulations and is currently one of the options for the Professional license.

Please click here for 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.