Professional Development

History of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in North Dakota

Compiled by Amy Benz

The North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board, an independent teacher licensing board, has written several legislative bills to seek funding for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification.  The first of these bills was written in 1999 by ESPB after the legislative education interim committee studied teacher pay.  Each biennium ESPB reapplies for funding for the application process for more teachers.  Also they have sought a stipend for those who become National Board Certified.  The North Dakota legislature has been supportive of the funds for initial certification; however, the stipend for receiving the certification has varied.  There has also been an effort made by North Dakota school districts to recognize National Board Certified Teachers.  Some have offered $1,000 per year additional pay for the ten years of the certification.  Although the number is growing, there are only a few school districts that do so at this time.  The Education Standards and Practices Board and North Dakota Education Association have worked together to increase the number of National Board Certified Teachers in this state.

North Dakota teachers started applying for National Board for Professional Teaching Certification in 1999.  This was the first year that the North Dakota legislature provided funding for the application process.  In 1999, Senate Bill 2151 provided a $2,000 TEACH scholarship for five individuals to apply for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification.  This TEACH scholarship was also to provide $5000 for each national board certified teacher.  The fiscal note for the $2,000 was available; however, the $5,000 was cut from the budget.  At this time the North Dakota Education Association became an active proponent of National Board Certification and brought in Linda Edwards who was a National Board Certified Teacher from Montana to share her experience.  Edwards later joined NDEA in a staff development position.  This first year four applicants became National Board Certified.  In 2000, three more teachers became National Board Certified.

During the 2001 legislature, North Dakota legislators increased the number of National Board applicants to 15.  The funding for the application fee was made available, but again the money for those who became certified was not available.  During this year only one teacher became National Board Certified; however, during 2002 four more joined the ranks.

The 2003 legislature again looked at National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certified Teachers.  They increased the number of applicants to 17 but reserved three scholarships for low-performing schools.  Only two teachers from each school district could apply for the National Board scholarship.  This legislation also required the teacher to serve in a school in the state and participate in a mentoring program.  A stipulation was placed on applicants that if the certification process was not completed, they would return one-half of the scholarship.  During this time, the new NDEA professional development staff person, LeAnn Nelsen, helped to connect mentors to applicants.  This mentoring was done on an informal basis.  In 2003, four teachers became National Board Certified and in 2004 six teachers certified. 

In 2005, the North Dakota legislature increased the funding for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification.  They kept the scholarship number at 17 even though the application cost has increased to $2300.  They also continue to reserve three scholarships for low-performing schools.  All teachers would be required to teach in North Dakota and participate in a mentoring program.  Legislators also approved funding for recertification status for two teachers per year.  Again teachers would be required to repay half of the scholarship if the process is not completed.  A stipend was added this year.  Teachers who became National Board Certified would receive an additional $1,500 at the conclusion of each of the first four years after an individual receives National Board Certification.  In 2005 one NBCT moved out of the state and one teacher moved into the state.

The THNI (Targeted High Needs Initiative) project was offered to North Dakota in the Spring of 2005.  At that time there were 23 teachers in North Dakota with National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification.  These teachers have attained certification with little or no mentoring.  The North Dakota Education Association made attempts to connect previous National Board Certified Teachers with current applicants.  There has also been some in-house mentoring by some National Board Teachers.  However, all of this has been informal.  The goal for THNI was to provide mentoring and funding to increase the number of National Board Certified Teachers in North Dakota.  Together ESPB, NDEA, and the THNI program  definitely increased the number of National Board candidates this year.

In October, during the state NEA conference the National Board Certified Teachers from North Dakota met as a group for the first time.  Out of the 22 teachers, 16 attended a two day inservice on candidate support.  This was an important step as most of us had never met.  We knew how important National Board was to us, and we wanted to find a way to promote it in North Dakota.  THNI provided expenses and pay for Joan Celestino, our presenter.  After this meeting, 12 of the 16 teachers became candidate supporters.  Others stated that they would support candidates who lived in an area of closer proximity.

In 2005, 26 candidates applied for National Board.  All were assigned a candidate supporter with the exception of three who were reapplying for certification.  These candidates did not wish to have a candidate support person assigned to them.  At the beginning or during the process nine candidates withdrew.  The candidates worked through email, one on one meetings, and five different candidate workshops with their candidate supporters.  Presentations were given at the workshops on topics that would help teachers with their portfolio entries.  Seventeen of these initial candidates completed the process and are waiting for their results in November. 

The THNI project paid travel expenses and a small stipend to the candidate supporters.  The North Dakota Education Association paid for lunch and snacks at all of the candidate support meetings.  These funds allowed North Dakota to start to organize an effective candidate support program. 

The THNI project was effective in North Dakota.  There was a large increase in the number of applicants.  There was support for candidates for the first time.  National Board teachers in the state were able to meet together to support candidates and discuss ways to increase the number of National Board teachers in the state.  A follow-up meeting was held in June of 2006.  At this meeting NBCTs revised the workshops and mentor work, proposed legislation, assessor training, recruitment, and a web page.  National Board certification and Take One have new interest in the state.  We hope THNI will help to continue this interest.

 

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