National Board Certified Teacher Candidacy Program
Expert teachers and content coaches can help raise the performance level of an entire school’s teaching staff. A common understanding of “excellent” teaching also can help communities identify and reward outstanding teachers. At the same time, Houston and large urban districts across the nation are seeking ways to encourage and reward expert professionals by increasing performance pay.
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards offers a nationally recognized certification that has become increasingly popular and rewarded in many other states, cities and school districts. Currently, however , there are only 320 National Board Certified Teachers in Texas and fewer than 20 in the greater Houston area. (California, by comparison, is home to more than 3,600 National Board Certified Teachers, or NBCTs.)
What We're Doing
Houston A+ Challenge, in partnership with the University of Houston-Clear Lake, is piloting the Houston area’s first NBCT candidacy program. This venture is made possible with support from an NBCT Targeted High Need Initiative (THNI) grant.
The program, which began in January 2007, recruits middle and high school teachers from high-poverty urban and rural schools in the content areas of greatest need – science and mathematics.
Candidates meet monthly as a cohort, with coaches and mentors who support their learning, critique their classroom skills and guide them through the NBCT entry and assessment process. Our first cohort of 23 teachers indirectly impacts more than 2,000 students. Of these 19, nearly half (8) teach in the high-need subject areas of science and math.
Since the program’s inception, one area district, Humble ISD, has implemented incentive pay for NBCTs.
|
Nation * |
Texas ** |
Greater Houston Area ** (Katy, Klein, Pearland, La Porte, Spring, Houston) |
Total NBCT |
55,328 |
320 |
19 |
NBCT (Math) |
3,974 (7%) |
16 (5%) |
3 (16%) |
NBCT (Science) |
4,016 (7%) |
14 (4%) |
2 (1%) |
NBCT Candidates (Math) |
-- |
-- |
3 *** (16%) |
NBCT Candidates (Science) |
-- |
-- |
5 *** (26%) |
* 2006 data from the National Board Office
** 2006 data from the National Board Website
*** Of 19 candidates in Houston A+ Challenge program, supported by THNI grant
Houston A+ believes that increased funding for NBCT bonuses and THNI grants will encourage more Texas districts to adopt policies that reward teachers who complete the certification process. Providing financial bonuses for National Board Certification may encourage highly skilled teachers to remain in the classroom in lieu of moving to more lucrative paying administrative positions.
In the Houston pilot program, the National Board Certification training is building teacher leadership. Candidates are highly sought after to mentor other teachers and model effective practices. The increased presence of NBCTs in Texas (and specifically in the Greater Houston area) can help strengthen the focus on teaching and learning in school districts. National Board Certification also extends beyond the No Child Left Behind law requirements for “highly qualified” teachers, through a course of study that puts theory into practice and requires proof of excellent performance in the classroom.
Teachers who successfully complete the rigorous NBCT process are better equipped to deliver rigorous, relevant lessons that prepare students for the demands of the 21st century.
