National Board

NATIONAL BOARD

National Board Certification is a demonstration of accomplished teaching practice as measured against high and rigorous standards. It is a symbol of a commitment to excellence in teaching. A National Board certificate is a credential attesting that a teacher has been assessed by his/her peers as one who is accomplished, makes sound professional judgments about student learning, and acts effectively on those judgments. Offered on a voluntary basis, the advanced system of National Board Certification complements, but does not replace, state licensing. It is a professional certification increasingly used by states as an option for their advanced licensing requirements.

Either scroll down or click on What is the National Board Program to find an explanation of the National Board Program.

	Either scroll down or click on To Be Eligible to read the eligibility requirements for the National Board Program and
	Either scroll down or click on Application Deadlines for information on when to sign up for the process and when materials are due.
	Either scroll down or click on Links for more information on the National Board Process or the Dale Hickam Excellent Teaching Program.
	Either scroll down or click on For More Information to link to district and state National Board contacts.

What is the National Board Program?

Through the Excellent Teaching Program enacted by the Florida Legislature in 1998, teachers are provided with incentives to complete the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification process. It underwent extensive revision during the 2008 Florida legislative session.

The National Board asks candidates in this program to prepare a portfolio of accomplished teaching practices. They are then asked to complete 6 assessment center exercises related to the teacher's knowledge of their subject matter.

There are currently 25 certification areas available for teachers wishing to complete this process.

The National Board operates under 5 core principles:

Teachers are committed to students and their learning.
Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to their 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.

The Florida State Legislature in the Spring, 2008, session ended the support it had previously provided for teachers participating in the Excellent Teaching Program. Teachers are now responsible for paying all fees out of pocket, unless they are eligible for one of the five federal grants available to Citrus County for this school year. Feel free to contact the District National Board contact at the District Services Center (352-726-1931).

The 2011 session of the State Legislature ceased to provide the following:

	10% of the average teaching salary in the state of Florida for those who hold a National Board certificate and have a satisfactory performance appraisal. If demand exceeds available full funding, the Certification bonus will be pro-rated.
	The provision for a mentoring bonus is still in the legislative language. However, no funding was provided for mentoring during the 2008-2009 school year.

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	To be eligible: To apply for certification, teachers must: hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution complete three years of successful teaching hold a valid state teaching certificate for those three years document satisfactory performance on last regular evaluation pay $2500 PLUS a nonrefundable $65 application processing fee participate in and complete the process during the year in which funds are paid meet all deadlines set by the district, state, and NBPTS communicate the intent to participate to the District National Board contact at the District Services Center (352-726-1931). (return to top of page)

	Application Deadlines: Look on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards website to ascertain the application window for this year. All applications are completed online at the National Board website. A copy of the application must be sent to Michael Ballard, Professional Development and Community Services, District Services Center. (return to top of page)


	Links: National Board Website at www.nbpts.org The Dale Hickam Excellent Teaching Program, visit http://www.fldoe.org/etp/ (return to top of page)

	For More Information: For more information, please contact any or all of the following: District information: Michael Ballard or Gail Grimm State information: Crystal Spikes, Florida Department of Education, (850) 922-9740 National Board: 1-800-228-3224 (return to top of page)

What is the National Board Program?

To be eligible: