What's so special about North Carolina teachers?

NEA Today, Feb 1999

Of the 2.7 million teachers in the United States today, about 75,000-or 2.8 percent-teach in North Carolina.

Of the 1,836 teachers who have so far passed the rigorous National Board assessment process and become nationally certified, 29.2 percent are from North Carolina.

Why are North Carolina teachers so disproportionately represented in the early ranks of national certified teachers? Are they smarter or more dedicated than teachers in other states?

Not likely. But there is a huge difference between North Carolina and the rest of the country that can help explain these numbers.

Four years ago, Governor Jim Hunt and the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), working with the state legislature, secured a host of benefits for Board candidates, including a waiver of the $2,000 application fee and three days leave for portfolio preparation.

Each year, NCAE sponsors dozens of workshops on how to prepare for certification and runs an E-mail listserv so educators can help each other. And, in North Carolina, any teacher who achieves national certification gets a 12 percent raise, thanks to a law the Association backed. NCAE's work has become a model for other NEA state and local affiliates, which are beginning to offer similar support-financial incentives, teacher training, and networking opportunities.

The Florida Teaching Profession (FTP-NEA) last year successfully lobbied the state legislature to pony up $1,800 of the $2,000 assessment fee. Florida teachers also get a 10 percent salary increase upon receiving certification, and an additional 10 percent increase if they become peer mentors.

The Iowa State Education Association threw its support to legislation that grants nationally certified teachers a $10,000 annual salary supplement. Oklahoma teachers who earn national certification receive a $5,000 annual salary bonus, thanks to a lobbying push by the Oklahoma Education Association.

The OEA has also hired two university professors to teach reflective writing to Board candidates. And OEA offers critiques of candidates' portfolio videotapes.

NEA locals are also busy negotiating support for national certification. In Ohio, the Columbus Education Association (CEA), in partnership with Ohio State University, sponsors two National Board preparation courses. Kentucky's Fayette County Education Association pays half of a candidate's application fee. And the Association bargained three release days for portfolio preparation.