Illinois

Illinois Candidate Financial Support

Illinois 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 state of Illinois. Please read the information below for specific details, deadlines and contact information.

Funding Available - First-Time Candidates State Funding
Illinois Eligibility Requirements 
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has limited funding to provide assistance for the candidate fee subsidy for the National Board Certification process. Candidacy is contingent upon sufficient state funding and if the Illinois certified teachers and school counselors meet the following criteria.

• Meets NBPTS eligibility guidelines (3 years teaching/counseling experience and a bachelor's degree).
• Holds a valid Illinois teaching certificate (minimum of an Illinois Initial or Standard) or a School Counselor certificate.
• Teaches in an Illinois public school.
• Is a U.S. citizen or legally present and authorized for employment and has field a Notice of Intent to Become a United State Citizen, ISBE Form 73-91.
• Applies to NBPTS online and pays the $65 registration fee.
• After being approved for the $2,000 fee subsidy pays the $500 initial fee.
• Agrees to serve in an Illinois school for two years following receipt of the Illinois Candidate Fee Subsidy.

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

Illinois is pleased to announce that the Illinois State Board of Education has renewed the contractual agreements for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Program for 2008-2009. The contractors are the National Board Resource Center at Illinois State University (NBRC) directed by Dr. Lynn Gaddis, NBCT and the Iroquois/Kankakee Regional Office of Education (I-KAN) directed by Vicki Hensley, Assistant Regional Superintendent. The work of both partners is aligned to deliver services to support National Board Certified Teachers and candidates in targeted schools.  Click on the following link to view the structure of the Illinois NBPTS program:  Structure of Illinois' NBPTS program
 
In May 2000, the State Board of Education began issuing Illinois Master Certificates valid for 10 years and renewal thereafter every 10 years through compliance with requirements set forth by the State Board of Education for National Board Certified Teachers (NBPTS).  Illinois state appropriations provide an annual $3,000 stipend for National Board Certified Teachers who hold the Illinois Master Certificate as defined by statute – Illinois Teaching Excellence Act. In addition, NBCTs are eligible to receive an additional $1,000 if they provide 60 hours of Assistance/Mentoring to NBPTS Candidates and/or Professional Development/Mentoring for new or experienced teachers. NBCTs providing Professional Development/Mentoring to teachers in schools on AEW status or schools where 50% or more of students receive free and reduced lunches are eligible for $3,000.

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 Site Administrator, Vicki Hensley Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools, Iroquois/Kankakee Regional Office of Education /Michelle Zummallen NBPTS State Support Site Coordinator. For more information please visit http://www.ilnbpts.org

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.