2009 Class of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs)
Mississippi Ranks 13th Nationally in New NBCTs and 8th in Total Number
ARLINGTON, VA - December 16, 2009 - Mississippi continues its progress in advancing the National Board Certification education reform movement with the announcement of 222 new NBCTs in 2009. The state ranked 13th nationwide in the number of teachers achieving board certification this year and ranks eighth in the total number of NBCTs over time (3,103).
An "extraordinary group," is how U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan referred to this year's class of National Board Certified Teachers in a September interview with NBPTS. He said teachers who achieved National Board Certification have "demonstrated a commitment to taking their teaching practice and the teaching profession to a different level."
"The leadership and example they're setting for the system is phenomenal," said Duncan. "What if every child had a chance to be taught by a National Board Certified Teacher? I think the difference it would make in students' lives would be extraordinary."
"As we move forward on this turnaround agenda nationally, I would love for National Board Certified Teachers to be at the forefront of that movement," said Duncan.
Mississippi shows a 3 percent increase in the number of teachers who achieved National Board Certification in 2009 over last year.
Top Five School Districts Statewide (by total number of NBCTs)
RANKIN CO SCHOOL DIST
Number of New NBCTs Year 12
Total Number of NBCTs 145
JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST
Number of New NBCTs Year 6
Total Number of NBCTs 106
TUPELO PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST
Number of New NBCTs Year 11
Total Number of NBCTs 96
DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST
Number of New NBCTs Year 7
Total Number of NBCTs 86
MADISON CO SCHOOL DIST
Number of New NBCTs Year 6
Total Number of NBCTs 81
Mississippi NBCTs joined the ranks of nearly 8,900 accomplished teachers nationwide who achieved certification in 2009. This achievement brings the total number of teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) to more than 82,000.
In many schools, districts and states across the nation, National Board Certified Teachers are assuming leadership roles-serving as mentors, facilitating professional development and leading education reform efforts in their districts and states. Several states are capitalizing on the expertise of these outstanding teacher leaders in their "Race to the Top" proposals. They are using accomplished teachers to increase effectiveness and improve school conditions to better meet the academic learning needs of students in targeted high-need schools.
"Our focus is expanding from individuals achieving National Board Certification to a systemic movement that changes the culture of classrooms, schools and districts by leveraging National Board Certified Teachers to build human capital, especially in high-need schools," said Joseph A. Aguerrebere, president and chief executive officer, NBPTS. "This announcement symbolizes what we're all about-improving the capacity of professionals in working with all students."
The latest numbers providing further evidence that the teaching quality movement is growing include:
• The number of NBCTs has more than doubled in the past five years (from more than 40,000 in 2004 to more than 82,000 in 2009).
• States with the highest number of teachers achieving National Board Certification in 2009 were: North Carolina (1,509), Washington
(1,248), South Carolina (798), Illinois (732) and Florida (651).
• School districts with the highest number of teachers achieving National Board Certification in 2009 were: Chicago Public Schools, Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Schools, Wake County Schools, the Los Angeles Unified School District and Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
• Fifteen states had at least a 20 percent increase in the number of 2009 NBCTs over the number of teachers who achieved certification in
2008.
• Nearly 1,700 NBCTs successfully met the standards for the "Profile of Professional Growth" to renew National Board Certification.
• More than half of all NBCTs teach in Title I eligible schools as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics.
"Growing groups of National Board Certified Teachers and leveraging them to build school-based learning communities are critical components many states and districts are already using to turn around low-performing schools," said Gov. Bob Wise, chair of the NBPTS Board of Directors and former governor of West Virginia. "This whole school reform movement is creating a culture of learning we're all looking for-one that advances student engagement and achievement, retains the best teachers and improves teacher and school performance.
In a congressionally mandated report, the National Research Council (NRC) confirmed that National Board Certified Teachers advance student achievement and learning, stay in the classroom longer, support new and struggling teachers, and assume other school-based leadership roles. The NRC acknowledged that students taught by National Board Certified Teachers make higher gains on achievement tests than students taught by non-board-certified teachers.
National Board Certification is recognized as a model of pay-for-performance and is supported by teachers and administrators nationwide. Many states and local school districts provide salary incentives and cover the cost for teachers who pursue and achieve this advanced teaching credential.
A voluntary assessment program designed to develop, recognize and retain accomplished teachers, National Board Certification is achieved through a performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, NBCTs have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices.
National Board Certification for Educational Leaders/Principals
Last week, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards launched the development of National Board Certification for Principals, the first phase of an expanded program, National Board Certification for Educational Leaders, which will also lay the groundwork for a new teacher leader certification.
Investments from the nation's major public, private and philanthropic sectors have contributed to the development of National Board Certification for Educational Leaders. For more information about this initiative, including the Core Propositions, visit www.nbpts.org/principals.
For more information about NBPTS and National Board Certification, visit www.nbpts.org.
