Federal Subsidies Immediately Available to Help with Two National Board Certification Activities

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 21
POLICY CODE: GCFC
TO: Superintendents of Schools, Principals, and Certification Chairs
FROM: Susan Gendron, Commissioner
DATE: September 9, 2009
RE: Federal Subsidies Immediately Available to Help with Two National Board Certification Activities

Through support from both the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and the Maine Education Association, grants are immediately available for Maine school professionals who would like to pursue either full National Board Certification or the “Take One!” process.

Educators with a Minimum of Three Years Experience:

The full certification process consists of four classroom-based portfolio components and six on-line assessments. Teachers interested in this process must be fully certified and have at least three years professional teaching experience. The cost of the full process is $2500. Sixty grants, in the amount of $1250 each, are currently available on a first come, first serve basis. To be eligible, teachers must visit www.nbpts.org and become a candidate. Teachers or their school administrative units must pay the non-refundable $65 registration fee and the non-refundable $500 initial fee. Once teachers have done this, they need to visit: http://www.maine.gov/education/cert/nbpts.html and complete the subsidy agreement form and forward it to Ellen Holmes at eholmes@nea.org or via fax at 207-942-0531.

Principals, New Teachers, Pre-service Teachers, and Career and Technical Education Instructors:

The “Take One!” National Board process is a great way for principals, new teachers, and experienced teachers to use the National Board Certification process to build the skills required within a staff for collaborative learning communities. “Take One!” requires the completion of one classroom-based, video-supported portfolio entry. Successful completion and receipt of a score that meets the minimum requirements allows the candidate to "bank" this entry for up to two years toward the full certification process described above. The cost of the “Take One!” process is $395. Twenty-five grants are currently available for the full fee on a first come, first serve basis. To be eligible for this process, teachers or principals must contact Ellen Holmes to register. Preference will be given to teams of at least five within a school administrative unit. Each team will receive support from at least one fully trained candidate support provider who is a National Board Certified teacher.

Both National Board Certification and “Take One!” are rigorous, research-based professional development opportunities and are part of a national effort to reach goals established by the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future. National Board Certification is one of the highest honors that is bestowed by the teaching profession and is a symbol of commitment to accomplished teaching. Those who wish to learn more about the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the National Board Certification process, and the “Take One!” process should visit the NBPTS website www.nbpts.org.

For more information please contact Ellen Holmes at: eholmes@nea.org, Voicemail: 207-660-5589