Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Information Item

DATE: Tuesday, March 4, 2008
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

National Board Certified Teachers

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Initiative: National Board Certification is the most prestigious credential a teacher can earn. Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment, and peer review. The district program began in 1989 to provide support for teachers to successfully complete the National Board process and score high enough to earn National Board Certification.

Goals: The goal of the National Board Certification process is to increase teaching standards in education.

Targeted Population: All teachers with three years of satisfactory experience are eligible to apply to become National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT). The current group of new achievers is 134 and represents 86 sites across the District.

Timeline: Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. As part of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, videotapes, and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Additionally, teachers are assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach.

Currently, Hillsborough County has 607 National Board Certified Teachers. This year 134 teachers achieved certification; the potential cohort for 2008 includes 329 new candidates.

Staff Development: National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize and reward great teachers—and make them better. National Board candidates are offered courses that focus on specific parts of the certification process to ensure success. National Board Certified Teachers have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices.

Transferability: The knowledge and skills developed by the teachers involved in the National Board Certification program is shared with new candidates, beginning teachers, and other teachers through the mentor process, thus improving overall teaching and learning in the District.

Involvement: The Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association has worked as a partner by providing training and support for candidates.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

All District Goals and Critical Success Factors

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

NBCT salaries and mentor bonuses are funded from the Florida’s Dale Hickam Excellent Teacher Program and are distributed by the District. Approximately $3,230,454 is awarded annually to National Board Certified Teachers in Hillsborough County Public Schools. In addition, approximately $85,000 was awarded to National Board Certified Teachers working in Renaissance schools funded through Staff Development, Project 1280. Training costs for courses are funded through Staff Development funds, Project 4502.

EVALUATION

Evaluation of the program is based on the number of teachers successfully achieving National Board Certification.

SUBMITTED BY: Kathy Taylor, District Resource Teacher, National Board Program

Charles Fleming
Director, Staff Development
(813) 840-7021
Jack E. Davis
Chief Information and Technology Officer
(813) 272-4600
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Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20080304_289 * Section B Item# 1