Today, the National Board announced that NBPTS programs—National Board Certification, Take One! and National Board Certification for Principals—are referenced in 27 of the 36 proposals (75 percent) submitted for second-round, Race to the Top (RTTT) funds.  With effective school reform seen as an important goal of the RTTT competition, states view National Board programs as a major element of their overall school reform strategies primarily in the area of  improving teacher quality. 

Among highlights of an NBPTS fact sheet released today:

-- Of the 27 second-round proposals referencing the National Board, 14 states expand existing or include new NBPTS programs.

--Of the six new applicants in the RTTT second round, five mention NBPTS programs.

--Several states specifically reference the value of National Board Certification or Take One! in addressing the inequitable distribution of teachers in high-need areas. 

--Six of the states intend to provide support or an incentive for the advanced principal certification being developed by the National Board.

--Other types of state proposals that specifically reference NBPTS programs:

*Use of National Board Certification as an alternate route for state certification/licensure (e.g., teachers who transfer from other states).

 *National Board Certification as the highest tier of teacher certification.

*Stipends for National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) to teach in struggling or high-need schools.

*Stipends or salary incentives for teachers or principals who obtain National Board Certification.

For more information about NBPTS, visit www.nbpts.org