Interested in pursuing National Board Certification? The process is now more flexible and there are new financial incentives available to encourage more applicants.
Candidates now have up to three years to complete the certification process and there are four components: three portfolio entries (one of which includes samples of student work and video recording of instruction) and one computer-based content knowledge assessment. Components are submitted online and can be completed in a year or within three years.
For New York State teachers, the State Education Department's Albert Shanker Grant pays the entire National Board fee, which has dropped from $2,500 to $1,900.
In many districts, a salary step or stipend is attached to achievement of National Board Ceertification, and completion of the process fulfills the state's new Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) professional development requirements.
On July 1, the New York State Education Department started accepting applications for the 2016-2017 Albert Shanker Grant program. Candidates may apply for this grant by submitting an application at: http://www.forms2.nysed.gov/ohe/tcert/ashanker.cfm.
To be eligible for the Albert Shanker Grant, candidates MUST:
- be employed as a full-time teacher in a New York State public school;
- hold a valid New York State teaching certificate; and
- hold tenure in his/her current position.
New this year, school districts can receive a $500 per-candidate reimbursement for support services. Each eligible teacher's sponsoring school district is eligible to receive up to $500 per candidate to cover the cost of supportive services, which may include the cost of hiring a substitute teacher for up to three days or paying a facilitator or materials.
To qualify for reimbursement, a sponsoring school district must submit a form. The form and link will be posted on March 1, 2017 on a secure portal. The reimbursement submission period will be from April 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017.
All questions, should be directed to:
Albert Shanker Grant Program Administrator
Phone: 518-474-3719 Fax: 518-474-7468
Email: Shankergrant@nysed.gov
Regional cohorts or in-district support groups are facilitated by trained Candidate Support Providers - contact the National Board Council of New York at www.nbcny.org for a facilitator near you or to access training for your local program.
For more information on New York supports, go to http://www.highered.nysed.gov/kiap/documents/StateProfiles_2015_NY.pdf.
NYSUT has also posted a fact sheet and additional resources on National Board Certification at www.nysut.org/nbpts.