1. July 2006 National Board Certification ® Awareness Meeting July 14, 2006

2. History of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Carnegie Foundation report (1986) A Nation Prepared: Teachers for the 21st Century Task Force on teaching as a profession Establishment of voluntary, national certification process Better teaching  better learning  better schools

3. Mission Statement To advance the quality of teaching and learning by: maintaining high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do; providing a national voluntary system certifying teachers who meet these standards; and advocating related education reforms to integrate National Board Certification in American education and to capitalize on the expertise of National Board Certified Teachers.

4. Standards Established by Teachers Teachers form the majority of NBPTS Board of Directors. Teachers form the majority of NBPTS standards committees. Teachers work on the NBPTS staff. Teachers have staff positions with NBPTS contractors. Teachers score assessment exercises and set performance standards.

5. Five Core Propositions Teachers are committed to students and their learning. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning. Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience. Teachers are members of learning communities.

6. Growth of NBPTS in SC ~ 4,440 NBCTs (575 in 2005) ~ 1285 New Candidates (as of July 2006) ~ 665 Retake Candidates (as of July 2006) 3 rd highest number of NBCTs in the nation 2 nd highest number of African American NBCTs in the nation A National Board Certified Teacher in every school district in South Carolina!

7. Student Achievement and NBPTS Anecdotal evidence linking NBPTS to student achievement: A Distinction That Matters Goldhaber study More than twenty national studies on relationship of NBC and student achievement currently being completed Research already shows quality of teaching is number one factor for student learning

8. Eligibility Prerequisites Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution Three years of successful teaching at one or more early childhood, elementary or secondary schools Proof of holding a valid state teaching license for each of those three years

9. Requirements of Process Teaching Portfolio (current school year) 1 – Student work entry 2 – Video-based entry 3 – Video-based entry 4 – Professional, Families and Community Documented Accomplishments entry Assessment Center (one day) 5 - prompt (30 minutes) 6 - prompt (30 minutes) 7 - prompt (30 minutes) 8 - prompt (30 minutes) 9 - prompt (30 minutes) 10- prompt (30 minutes)

10. Scoring Evidence-based scoring Each entry scored by different assessor(s) Assessors are teachers – same content and developmental level Score range for each entry:.75 – 4.25 Weighting: score multiplied by factor from 6.67 – 16 Uniform constant of 12 points added to each score Accomplished Teacher must earn at least 275 points and complete all 10 entries Read NB Scoring Handbook for more information

11. Banking & Retake Automatic banking of each entry score for a period of two years for any entry that meets the standard of 2.75 or above Online “retake score calculator” available to candidates (NB site) Retake any combination of any entries with a score below 2.75 Pay $350 fee for each entry retaken

12. South Carolina Incentives (pending annual legislation) Loan for up to $2,500 for assessment fee (forgivable) Salary Increase of $7,500 for life of certificate (10 years) Recertification requirements waived for NBCTs for life of certificate Reciprocity for teacher certification granted for NBCTs moving into South Carolina

13. Local Incentives and Support SC school districts may offer one or more of the following: Additional salary increases Release time to complete portfolio requirements Use of technical equipment and resources Graduate credit courses in collaboration with colleges/universities Workshops and Seminars

14. South Carolina Loan Program Candidates pay $65 application fee (non-refundable) directly to NBPTS this fee is not covered by the SC Loan Program this is the only fee* a SC teacher needs to pay “out of pocket” Borrow up to $2,500 for three years One half of loan forgiven if a complete/scorable portfolio is submitted Other half of loan forgiven if certification is achieved within three-year period allowed by NBPTS SC loan applications available from CERRA, teacher organizations (PSTA, SCEA, etc.) and district NB Liaisons Fees are not reimbursed by CERRA for funds sent to NBPTS by candidates * The $500 Initial Fee required by NB is submitted by CERRA when the loan is processed

15. Assessment Calendar SC Loan AvailableAug. 1 – Nov. 1, 2006 NB ApplicationAug. 1 – Nov. 1, 2006 (Without loan: apply from now until Dec. 31, 2006) Assessment Center July 1, ’06 - June 15, ‘07 Portfolio Due Mar. 31, 2007 Results Dec. 31, 2007 Additional loan opportunity anticipated for Spring 2007.

16. Withdrawal Read NB withdrawal information and SC NBC Loan application carefully NBPTS must be notified in writing by submission of a Withdrawal Form Withdrawal Form must be received by NB before submitting entries to NB, before going to the assessment center and before portfolio due date $500 initial fee must be repaid to SC (not NBPTS) Total assessment fee ($2500) and any additional fees and interest will be owed to SC by the candidate if withdrawal procedures and deadlines are not met.

17. Read Before Applying Download (from NB site) and carefully read: Guide to National Board Certification NB Scoring Handbook NB Standards for your area NB portfolio instructions for your area Web pages: “Become a Candidate” and “For Candidates” sections on NB site at www.nbpts.orgwww.nbpts.org “NB Candidate” pages in the Teacher Leader section on CERRA’s site at www.cerra.orgwww.cerra.org

18. To Help Make the Decision… Analyze and reflect upon the time you have to give to this process. Determine resources you already have (and ones you need to acquire) to give this your best effort. Contact SC NBCTs in your certificate area. Contact your school district’s NB liaison. Determine what kind of support may be available to you in your school, district or region. SC NBCTs & district liaisons are listed on CERRA’s Web site at www.cerra.orgwww.cerra.org

19. As a candidate… Stay in contact with your district’s NB liaison in order to request the SC NB Loan application and learn about candidate support efforts. Meet all established deadlines for paperwork and submit pieces in a timely fashion in order to choose the best window of opportunity for yourself. Visit the NBPTS and CERRA Web sites regularly to stay updated on new developments and information regarding the process.

20. Questions Candidates Should Ask NBCTs How has NBC changed the way you approach your work with students? What resources supported your work as a candidate? What is the one thing you would NOT do if you were to go through this process again? What is the one thing you WOULD do if you were to go through this process again?

21. More Information National Board for Professional Teaching Standards www.nbpts.org 1-800-22-TEACH CERRA www.cerra.org 1-800-476-2387 School District Liaison