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National Board Certification Federal Subsidy

2012-13 National Board Certification Application Information

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What is National Board Certification?

National Board Certification is a demonstration of teaching practice as measured against rigorous standards. It is a symbol of commitment to excellence in teaching. Novice teachers obtain teacher licenses to indicate they are eligible to teach. Accomplished teachers obtain National Board Certification to document that they are accomplished teachers. Offered on a voluntary basis to teachers with at least three years of teaching experience, the system of National Board Certification compliments, but does not replace, state licensing.

What is expected of candidates for National Board Certification?

Candidates participate in a two-part assessment based on standards of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The portfolio includes student work, videotapes, and other teaching exhibits. The assessment center exercises are organized around challenging teaching issues and provide an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities in situations across the age range and topics of the certificate field.

What is the cost to the candidate?

The candidate fee is $2,500, plus an application processing charge of $65. Subsidies in the amount of $1,250 are made available through federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education and are awarded to eligible applicants through the Tennessee Department of Education. Subsidy funds are limited and awards are made on a first-come basis to those who meet eligibility requirements. The deadline to apply for the subsidy is January 31, 2013.

How long will it take to complete the National Board Certification process?

You may be one of the approximately 40 percent who achieve National Board Certification at the end of the first year. If you do not achieve, you can bank your scores through NBPTS, become an Advanced Candidate, and redo entries with low scores during the second and, if needed, the third years.

What are the eligibility requirements?

To be eligible for an NBPTS subsidy, you must

  • Have at least 3 years of full-time teaching experience,
  • Currently hold a Tennessee professional or out-of-state teaching license,
  • Currently teach in a Tennessee public school,
  • Have not previously received an NBPTS subsidy award (in Tennessee or any other state),
  • Have access to a class in the NBPTS certificate area during the candidacy process.

When you submit your subsidy application, your eligibility is verified usually within two weeks and you will receive an eligibility notification or award notification via email. When you receive your award notification, you will be asked to return a Subsidy Acceptance Form as soon as possible in order to authorize the subsidy office to submit your subsidy to NBPTS. If you have any questions, contact the Candidate Subsidy Administrator via Johnny.Crow@tn.gov.

What is the application process for the subsidy? (4 steps)

Step 1. Go to the NBPTS website (www.nbpts.orgExit TDOE website) and read about the NBPTS Certification process and scholarship opportunities to assist you with your fee.

Step 2. Identify sources of financial assistance to help with your fee, e.g., your school system, local civic organizations. The State Department of Education provides subsidies in the amount of $1,250 to eligible candidates. Plan for additional financial assistance that may be needed for redoing portions of your NBPTS entries after the first year.

Step 3. Review the NBPTS assessment calendar to establish a timeline for completing your portfolio and assessment center requirements.

Step 4. Apply for the NBPTS state subsidy in the amount of $1,250. Click on the Application for Subsidydownload pdf filelink and, print out and complete the application form. If subsidy funds are available and if you are awarded a subsidy, the subsidy ($1,250) will be forwarded to NBPTS as soon as you have paid the $500 initial payment to NBPTS. If you do not have your NBPTS Candidate Identification Number (CIN) when you complete the subsidy application, forward your CIN to the subsidy office via email to Johnny.Crow@tn.gov.

Please follow the detailed instructions below.

Detailed Instructions for Completing the Subsidy Application

The subsidy application consists of one page of personal data and two pages of written responses to three instructions/questions.

Please print the information requested for all spaces on the application. All information requested is important. Since we will communicate with you via email, please provide your school email address to ensure that all information can be delivered.

Respond to the following three instructions/questions and attach your response to the application. Your responses must be typed, double-spaced with a standard 12-point font (as used in this application). Do not exceed two pages total for all three responses.

  1. Reflect on the role that you think NBPTS national standards should play in education.
  2. Given that the average candidate spends 200-300 hours preparing a portfolio, why do you want to pursue National Board Certification?
  3. Describe a lesson, sequence, or unit that demonstrates your ability to creatively incorporate standards into your instruction.

Mail the data sheet and two response pages to:

Johnny Crow, NBPTS Candidate Subsidy Administrator
Tennessee Department of Education, Office of Instructional Leadership
710 James Robertson Parkway, 5th floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0376.

The deadline for submitting a subsidy application is January 31, 2013.

Download the Application for Subsidydownload pdf file