National Board Certification Grant
For Teachers at NESA-Member Schools, 2007-2008
NESA and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) are pleased to announce continued grant assistance to teachers from NESA-member schools who are participating in the National Board Certification (NBC) program. We anticipate each registered candidate will receive $1,000 -- depending on the number who apply. (Candidates are responsible for paying the remaining balance of $2,000. This includes the initial non-refundable application fee of $500 -- see below)
GRANT ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, candidates must apply and meet the eligibility requirements for an NBC candidate, which includes paying the $500 non-refundable deposit. Upon being accepted, candidates receive a candidate number from the National Board.
Grant funds will be available for the 2007-2008 school year.
PROCESS FOR PURSUING NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION
Be sure to visit the NBPTS website: http://www.nbpts.org
For the 2007 National Board Certification Guide, go to:
http://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/Guide_2007_unlweb.pdf
Be sure to carefully review CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY SPECIFICATIONS! [Teachers must have a BA degree, three years of teaching experience and a teaching credential or teach in an accredited school if a credential is not required by the school.]
DIRECT PHONE LINE TO NB INFORMATION
The direct dial and fax numbers for international candidates, if you are unable to dial 1-800 numbers from overseas, are:
Tel: (703) 465-2700
Fax: (703) 465-2715
(The 800 number is: 1-800-22-TEACH)
CANDIDATE APPLICATION & INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
You may download the application for international candidates by going to: http://www.nbpts.org/become_a_candidate/apply_now1.TIPS FOR FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION
- Cross out the statement "For US citizens living in other countries".
- If you don't have a Social Security number, use the first nine digits of your passport.
- Under Union Affiliation, mark "other" and write in "NESA".
ZIP CODE UNAVAILABILITY
As part of the candidacy application process, you will be asked to provide a US zip code. If this is not available, NBPTS may accept a passport or U.S. Social Security number--contact NBPTS directly for specific instructions.
SHIPPING
When candidates submit their application, they should add a note that all materials should be sent to them via DHL, Federal Express or United Parcel Service. Designate which carrier is best for the school and country where the candidate is employed.
CANDIDATE INQUIRY SERVICE
An "International Candidate" category is available on the "Candidate Inquiry Service" on the NBPTS website: http://www.nbpts.org/help_and_faqs, where potential candidates can send questions directly to NBPTS.
SCORING GUIDES
Scoring Guides are now available for 24 certificates. They provide detailed information about how the portfolio entries and assessment center exercises for each certificate are scored. In addition, two sample assessment center exercises for the certificate are provided along with information about how these exercises are scored. For more information, visit http://www.nbpts.org/for_candidates/scoring
MENTORS
There are National Board Certified Teachers who have indicated a willingness to serve as a general resource on a volunteer basis for up to five hours to answer questions, read commentaries, provide feedback and offer other collegial support. If you are interested in having a mentor who is an NBCT in your certificate area, contact DEDE TISONE-BARTELS: dede@classroomclick.com, or the NESA office: nesa@nesacenter.org
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Contact the National Board Resource Center at Stanford University (http://nbrc.stanford.edu/) to join a ListServ that will provide timely candidate information and suggestions throughout the process.
Be sure to let NESA know if you apply for NB candidacy!