Fast facts on national certification

NEA Today, Feb 1999

For this school year, there are more than 6,000 candidates for National Board certification. That's more than double the 2,000 who sought certification in 1997-98.

The average pass rate for national certification in 1997-98 was 47 percent.

Teachers with a minimum of three years experience, a B.A. degree, and a valid state teaching license can apply for certification.

Candidates pay $2,000 to participate in the process.

The federal government provides state subsidies to pay half of a teachers $2,000 application fee.

The National Board is governed by a 63-member board of directors, the majority of whom are classroom teachers.

As of the 1998-99 school year, national certification is available in 12 teaching areas: early childhood/ generalist; middle childhood/generalist; early adolescence/generalist; early adolescence/English language arts; early adolescence/mathematics; early adolescence/science; early adolescence/social studies-history; early adolescence through young adulthood/art; adolescence and young adulthood/English language arts; adolescence and young adulthood/mathematics; adolescence and young adulthood/science; adolescence and young adulthood/ social studies-history.

Candidates complete a twopart system: First, they submit a portfolio containing student work, videotapes, and reflective writing on classroom practice. Then, they take a day-long test on teaching practice at a local assessment center.

Candidates spend an average of 200 hours preparing for certification.

Candidates typically receive their start-up packets between June and December and must complete their portfolios between April and June. The assessment center portion of the application can be completed between June and July. Results are given no later than December 31 of the next year.

Candidates who do not achieve certification on their initial try can "bank" individual entry scores for up to three years, and re-take the portions they did not complete successfully. It costs $275 for each exercise the candidate retakes.

National Board certificates are valid for 10 years. Certificates may be renewed at that time.