Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Candidate Financial Support

Pennsylvania 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 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Please read the information below for specific details, deadlines and contact information.

Funding Available - First-Time Candidates Federal Funding
The Pennsylvania Department of Education will utilize NBPTS Candidate Subsidy funds to award qualified candidates 50 percent of the $2,500 certification fee in the form of a scholarship totaling $1,250. Candidates will be awarded this Federal fee support on a first-come, first-served basis. See Funding Application Procedures for details on how to obtain funding. Deadline to apply: TO BE ANNOUNCED.

Funding Available - First-Time Candidates State Funding
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania values both the profession of teaching, and the high quality standards of the NBPTS program. As such, the Commonwealth is awarding 500 scholarships to be awarded in $1,250 increments (50% of the tuition cost) per qualified candidate based on established criteria. See Funding Application Procedures for details on how to obtain funding. State funds can be combined with Federal funds. Deadline to apply: TO BE ANNOUNCED

Funding Available Retake Candidates
The Pennsylvania Department of Education will provide up to $700 in state and/or federal subsidy funds to eligible retake candidates for two entries/exercises. Candidates who received state AND federal funds previously are not eligible to apply. See Funding Application Procedures for details on how to obtain retake funding. Deadline to apply: WINDOW CLOSED.

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

It is the goal of the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist 500 teachers in the Commonwealth achieve National Board Certification in 2007.

• The state provides reimbursement to school districts for up to three days of paid leave (no more than $100/day) for candidates to prepare their National Board Certification portfolio and get ready for assessment. Instructions for school district reimbursement will be posted, and a Penn-Link detailing the process will be mailed Spring 2007.
• Four geographically targeted Centers for Teaching Excellence located throughout the Commonwealth will support candidates pursuing National Board Certification with preparation, technical assistance and administrative paperwork. Locations and information regarding how each Center can be of assistance throughout the NBPTS process may be obtained through contacting the center directors below:
     -Western Pennsylvania: Duquesne University, Rosalie Dibert: dibertr@duq.edu or rosalie.dibert@gmail.com
     -Northern Pennsylvania: Gannon University, Linda Cook: cook027@gannon.edu
     -Central Pennsylvania: Temple University (Philadelphia and Harrisburg), Marilyn Murphy: murphyma@temple.edu
     -Eastern Pennsylvania: East Stroudsburg University, Doug Lare: dlare@po-box.esu.ed
• Chapter 49 of the 22 Pennsylvania Code permits out of state candidates who hold National Board Certification to be issued a Level II certificate if all other qualifications are met.
• The state of Pennsylvania 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.

The National Board Certification process provides high-quality professional development, and school districts are encouraged to make use of state and federal funding that may be used for teacher professional development. The Pennsylvania Department of Education strongly encourages all of the Commonwealth’s 501 school districts to review teacher professional development policies and practices, to offer creative and exciting incentives that make National Board Certification achievable for employees and to advocate National Board Certification for all high-quality teachers.

Please click here for a list of school districts in Pennsylvania 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.