Press Room
Nearly 500 Washington teachers earn board certification
This winter, 485 Washington teachers received certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Washington now boasts more than 1,800 certified teachers, which ranks 10th in the nation. Only four other states produced larger classes of newly certified teachers this year. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson noted the extremely high standards for certification. "Those teachers who choose to strive for it deserve our deepest respect," she said. "Teachers are seeking this advanced certification in greater numbers. Washington, with the leadership from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, has developed a strong system of support to help teachers through this process. I particularly want to thank the principals and school districts throughout the state for their support of these wonderful teachers. "Ensuring a highly accomplished teacher in every classroom is a top priority. Our children deserve a quality education that begins with quality teachers."
Evergreen School District ranks fourth in the state in numbers of nationally board certified teachers. This year, both Washougal School District and Longview School District recognized their first nationally board certified teachers.
Certification is a year-long introspective process that requires teachers to submit a four-part portfolio and a six-exercise content and pedagogy assessment. The 10 entries document a teacher's success in the classroom as evidenced by his or her students' learning. Legislation passed in 2007 awards a $5,000 bonus to each certified teacher. There is an additional $5,000 bonus for those who teach in schools where at least 70 percent of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch, known as "challenging" schools. The increase in National Board Certified Teachers occurred throughout the state.
In addition to the more than 1,800 new National Board Teachers in Washington, more than 1,400 teachers have signed up as candidates for 2008. Eighteen percent are now teaching in challenging schools. The legislation is having a significant effect on the number of teachers willing to challenge themselves through the certification process. "There is a belief in education reform in Washington state that goes beyond just words. We truly believe in the expertise of our teachers. Our children deserve a quality education and that begins with quality teacher," said Superintendent Bergeson. Created in 1987, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit organization devoted to advancing the quality of teaching and learning.