National Board Certification of Teachers

National Board Certification (NBC) is a voluntary, advanced teaching credential that goes beyond state licensure. NBC has national standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. The National Board certifies teachers who successfully complete its rigorous certification process.

Why NEA Supports National Board Certification

• NEA members attest to the positive effects the National Board Certification process has on their classroom practices.
• A growing body of research links National Board Certification with improved student achievement.
• The certification process is a rigorous, challenging process that causes teachers to analyze their work. It is a powerful learning experience whether they achieve National Board Certification or not.

How NEA Supports National Board Certification

NEA supports and promotes the national certification process as an important element of a comprehensive system to ensure teacher quality. We provide support to our state and local affiliates on National Board issues. We bring together NBPTS staff and our state instructional issues staff regularly to discuss recruiting and supporting National Board candidates. We provide workshops for potential candidates -- such as the "Jump Start" program in Washington state -- where we demystify the NBC process, delve into the standards, and help our members understand the requirements.

In addition, NEA is sponsoring a series of summits for National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in seven states. The goal is to bring these accomplished teachers together to generate recommendations for supporting and staffing high-needs schools in their own states.

The series of state summits held in North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington, Wisconsin, and Mississippi culminated in the National Strategy Forum  on Supporting and Staffing High-Needs Schools Oct. 4-5, 2007 in Asheville, NC.

NEA affiliates at the state and local level have also been actively promoting National Board Certification. Many have helped pass legislation to pay fees and provide release time to National Board candidates. Others have bargained contract provisions for release time, fee payment, mentoring/assistance, and salary recognition for candidates.

Association Support Is Making a Difference

Association support for National Board Certification is making a difference. Already more than 47,500 teachers have achieved National Board Certification, the teaching profession’s highest credential. For more information about the program and the Association's involvement in it, read NEA’s National Board Certification Background and Facts and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

If you have general questions about NEA's support for National Board Certification, contact Angel Stanford.  If you have questions about NEA's series of National Board Summits, contact Susan Carmon.