National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)
 NCSL has partnered with NBPTS to raise awareness among legislators and legislative staff about National Board certification as one potential tool to improve educator effectiveness and turn around low-performing schools.
NBPTS is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving teaching and learning by helping states, districts and schools develop, recognize and retain great teachers and principals. In January 2011, the National Board will launch the first voluntary national advanced certification for school principals.
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards: What Legislators Need to Know
 States today are facing deep cuts to education while struggling to close the achievement gap and turn around low-performing schools. State legislators well know that education must be a priority for workforce development and economic
competitiveness. The challenges lie in determining which programs are most effective and where money can be best invested.
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification for teachers is one program that many state legislators continue to embrace. Although this program to provide voluntary rigorous national teacher certification has been in existence since 1987, state and local education policymakers, teachers and school leaders now are recognizing its promise and potential for addressing challenges in 21st century classrooms.
State legislators want to be armed with reliable information to make the best decisions about state resources. This guide provides a thorough overview of National Board certification so legislators can determine if this is a tool they wish to use to improve student achievement. Legislators will learn about the certification process, research on the program’s effectiveness, state policies to support and best use the program, and examples of successful implementation.Click here to download publication.
NCSL Fall Forum Session
Turning Around Low-Performing Schools Through National Board Certification
Friday, Dec. 10, 2011, Phoenix, Ariz.
Principals and teachers continue to search for effective tools to turn around low-performing schools and close the achievement gap. During this session, we heard from educators who have used Take One! and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification as a tool to meet this challenge.
Audio Recording running time: 01:25:00
Presiding
Representative Betty Kemp, Oregon, vice chair, NCSL Standing Committee on Education
Speakers
Kiela Bonelli, principal, Julius Corsini Elementary School, California
Daniela Robles, teacher, Griffith Elementary School, Arizona
Nancy Shakowski, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Colorado
Craig Thibaudeau, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Virginia
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