Wyoming

Wyoming Candidate Financial Support

Wyoming 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, the Wyoming Legislature and private funding partners. Please read the information below for specific details, deadlines and contact information.

Funding Available - First-Time Candidates Federal Funding
The federal subsidy funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis to candidates who meet NBPTS eligibility requirements.

For consideration:

• Apply for National Board Certification on the Apply Now page.
• Pay the nonrefundable $500 initial fee. 
• Complete and submit the Wyoming Financial Application to the Professional Teaching Standards Board. 

Please allow up to three weeks following the submission of your application and payment of your portion of the assessment fee for processing of all subsidy funds to your NBPTS account. 

Funding Available - First-Time Candidates State/Private Funding
For consideration:

• Follow the steps listed in the Funding Available - First-Time Candidates Federal Funding.
• Check the box on your application that allows NBPTS to share your application information with the Ellbogen Foundation.

Funding will be processed and credited to your NBPTS account; no further application is necessary. Please DO NOT contact the Ellbogen Foundation. Funding may not be posted until after the payment deadline.  

Funding Available - Retake Candidates Federal Funding
The federal subsidy funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis to candidates who meet NBPTS eligibility requirements. If you have received federal funds as a first-time candidate, you are NOT eligible to receive additional federal funding. 
For consideration:

• Submit the Retake Application, which is accessible on the Retake Candidates page. 
• Pay your portion of the assessment fee.

• Complete and submit the Wyoming Financial Application to the Professional Teaching Standards Board.

  Please allow up to three weeks following the submission of your application and payment of your portion of the assessment fee for processing of all subsidy funds to your NBPTS account. 

Funding Available - Retake Candidates - State/Private Funding
For consideration:

• Submit the Retake Application, which is accessible on the Retake Candidates page. 
• Pay your portion (amount greater than $600) of the assessment. 

• Check the box on your application that allows NBPTS to share your application information with the Ellbogen Foundation.
  Funding will be processed and credited to your NBPTS account; no further application is necessary. Please DO NOT contact the Ellgoben Foundation. Funding may not be posted until after the payment deadline. 

• Complete the Take One! application on the Order Take One! page. 
• Pay your portion (amount greater than $200) of the assessment fee. 
• Check the box on your application that allows NBPTS to share your application information with the Ellbogen Foundation. 

Funding will be processed and credited to your NBPTS account; no further application is necessary. Please DO NOT contact the Ellbogen Foundation. Funding may not be posted until after the payment deadline.

Questions regarding federal subsidy program: E-mail Teresa Sexton at: tsexto@state.wy.us.
 Questions regarding the Wyoming National Board Certification Initiative: E-mail Rae Lynn Job at rjob@wyoming.com. or Mary Garland at mleg0@yahoo.com.

Deadline to Apply:  December 31, 2008

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

State Support

For the 2008-2010 biennium, the Wyoming Department of Education budget includes $656,000 to support National  Board Certification of teachers. The focus of this support is as follows: 

•      Recruitment of teacher applicants for national certification
•      Strengthening the support system for teachers in the process of obtaining national certification
•      Providing awards and public recognition for teachers receiving National Board Certification

In the 2007 Legislative session, a bonus of $4000 per year for the life of the certificate was approved for National Board Certified teachers.

The state of Wyoming has signed the 2005-2010 NASDTEC Interstate Contract and will assess educators for certification based upon their current National Board Certification.  The corresponding endorsement can be issued without testing requirements.

Foundation Support

The John P. Ellbogen Foundation continues to be a leader for the Wyoming National Board Certification Initiative.  In each of the last three years, the board has committed over $260,000.  Other financial partners have joined in giving support to the Wyoming Initiative. They include: The Ruth R. Ellbogen Foundation, State Farm Insurance Company, The McMurry Foundation and The Homer A. and Mildred S. Scott Foundation.

The focus of this support is as follows:

•     Recruit teachers for National Board Certification
•     Pay a portion of the assessment and retake fee for candidates (see above)
•     Build a comprehensive support system for candidates
•     Provide a full scholarship for Pre-candidate, Candidate and Leadership workshops
•     Plan and sponsor a yearly awards and Recognition Event for National Board Certified Teachers

A list of school districts in this state that offer support and/or incentives for candidates (PDF - 27kb) 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.