Maine’s NBPTS Candidate Subsidy Program for Public School Teachers

INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO: 100
POLICY CODE: GCIE

TO: Superintendents of Schools, Assistant Superintendents, Special Education Directors, Principals, and Curriculum Coordinators
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner
DATE: May 5, 2007
RE: Maine’s NBPTS Candidate Subsidy Program for Public School Teachers

The Maine Department of Education announces the availability of $1250 assessment fee scholarships to support Maine public school teachers wishing to participate in the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards ( NBPTS) certification process during the coming school year. Candidates who have not received federal money to support their candidacy, and have to enter year two or three of the assessment cycle, are also eligible to receive up to $700 for two re-take exercises.

Each year the National Board receives federal funds from the United States Department of Education that are allocated to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Department of Defense schools. The federal subsidy funds are allocated through a formula that provides a proportionate share of the funds for each state based on that state’s percentage of the nation’s teachers. The states are required to follow specific procedures established by the National Board for the disbursement of funds to candidates in their states. In Maine these include:

First-time candidates may be subsidized up to one-half of the assessment fee ($1250).

Advanced candidates (year 2 and 3 candidates) may be subsidized for up to two re-take exercises ($700).

Each Candidate Subsidy Program Administrator (the individual responsible for allocating the federal subsidy to candidates in their states) determines whether the full allowable allocation will be given to each candidate or if a lesser amount will be allocated.

Subsidy funding may only be allocated to candidates who have not previously received federal subsidy funds.

Subsidy funding will only be allocated to candidates who have begun the on-line application process at NBPTS.org, paid the $65 application fee and the $500 initial certification fee, and have received a candidate number.

A copy of the candidate’s confirmation form and a completed agreement form found at http://www.maine.gov/education/cert/nbpts.html must be forwarded to Ellen Holmes via email, fax with cover letter, or mail at the following contacts:

Email: eholmes@nea.org
FAX: 207-292-0531
Mail: 1349 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401

Subsidy allocations will be made on a first come, first serve basis. For more on the availability of funds, please contact Ellen Holmes at eholmes@nea.org or at 207-660-5589.

Subsidy funds for first-time candidates who withdraw from the assessment process by the published deadline will be returned to the National Board. These funds may not be reallocated, so it is crucial that candidates requesting a subsidy allocation take this commitment seriously.

Subsidy allocations are posted to each candidate’s NBPTS account upon the request of the Subsidy Program Administrator.

For more information or subsidy fund availability, please contact Ellen Holmes, NBPTS Subsidy Fund Administrator at eholmes@nea.org or at 207-660-5589.