School News and Information

NORTH CAROLINA LEADS NATION IN NEW CERTIFICATIONS AND TOTAL NUMBER OF BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS

North Carolina remains the leader in the number of teachers achieving National Board Certification and the total number of National Board Certified teachers, according to results released today by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

This year's addition of 1,537 newly certified teachers and counselors - the largest class in the country - brings the state's total number of National Board Certified teachers and counselors to 9,818. Nationwide, 7,289 teachers and counselors earned certification this year, bringing the national total to 47,501.

In addition, Wake County Public Schools and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were among the top five districts in the nation based on the number of newly certified teachers. Wake County came in second with 165 and Charlotte-Mecklenburg came in third with 148. Broward County, Florida placed first with 185 newly certified teachers.

State Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee was pleased with North Carolina teachers' performance saying, "The 2005 National Board numbers show us that North Carolina has built a successful culture to support teachers pursuing National Certification. The State Board of Education congratulates each of these teachers for meeting this challenge."

State Superintendent June Atkinson said pursuing National Board Certification is a long and challenging process. "It is a credit to North Carolina teachers that so many of them are willing to pursue National Board Certification. Not only does it enhance their effectiveness in the classroom, but it also provides them with a framework for further developing their skills," Atkinson said.

National Board Certification was first offered in 1994, when eight North Carolina teachers achieved this professional credential. Since then, the number of North Carolina teachers receiving the certification has grown dramatically equaling almost 10 percent of the state’s teaching force. In addition, National Board teachers and counselors are working in each of the state's 115 local school districts.

Florida ranks second in the total number of National Board Certified teachers at 7,732, followed by South Carolina (4,443), California (3,379) and Ohio (2,523).

North Carolina supports teachers in their efforts to achieve National Board Certification by:

• paying up-front the $2,300 assessment fee (As a condition, the teacher is obligated to teach in the state during the following year whether they achieve National Board Certification or not.)
  

• providing three paid release days from normal teacher responsibilities to help teachers develop their portfolios
  

• providing a 12 percent salary supplement to the teachers' regular salary upon receipt of National Board Certification (good for the ten-year life of the certification)
  

• awarding 15 continuing education units (CEUs) to the individual completing the National Board Certification process.

Also, the State Board of Education awards a North Carolina teaching license to out-of-state teachers who are employed in North Carolina and who possess National Board Certification.

National Board Certification is the highest credential in the teaching profession, and participation is voluntary. Teachers achieve certification through a rigorous performance-based assessment that takes between one and three years to complete and measures what accomplished teachers and counselors should know and be able to do. Certification is currently available to educators in 27 fields.

An independent, multi-year study of North Carolina's National Board Certified teachers and elementary student performance released in March 2004 found that there is a correlation between certification and improved student performance. Gains were particularly pronounced for younger and lower-income students.

For more information about National Board Certification, please contact the NCDPI's Communications Division at 919/807-3450.