Top Teachers Focus on Closing Student Achievement Gap
October 4, 2007
Nation's Education Leaders, Top Teachers Focus on Closing Student Achievement Gap
Asheville, N.C.—State and national education leaders are joining National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) for a two-day symposium dedicated to creating solutions to one of the most pressing problems facing American
education today––attracting and retaining accomplished teachers in high-needs schools.
The National Strategy Forum on Supporting and Staffing High-Needs Schools is being hosted by the James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy, the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards (NBPTS) and the National Education Association (NEA). The Forum is taking place in Asheville, N.C., on Oct. 4-5, 2007.
"In order for the United States to remain a leader in today's world, we need to provide all of our students with an excellent and equitable education," said former North Carolina Gov. James B. Hunt, Jr., chair of the Hunt
Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy. "We have a moral responsibility to build a critical mass of accomplished teachers in high-needs schools––our future depends on it."
During the past two years, NBCT-led policy summits have mobilized more than 2,000 of these outstanding educators, identifying potential solutions to combat this challenge. These states were Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington and Wisconsin. The results from these summits generated local action, state legislation and regulation change.
Recommendations included:
- Transforming the teaching and learning conditions in high-needs schools;
- Preparing and supporting teachers for the specific challenges posed by working in highneeds schools;
- Recruiting and developing administrators who can draw on the expertise of specially-prepared teacher leaders;
- Creating a menu of recruitment incentives and focus on growing teaching expertise within high-needs schools; and
- Building awareness among policymakers, practitioners, and the public about the importance of National Board Certification® for high-needs schools.
"It is time to move the agenda to another level and use what we have learned through the state summits to begin a national dialogue that will bring cohesive direction to addressing this problem," said John Wilson, executive director, NEA. "The vision and expertise from our critical partners and National Board Certified Teachers will be invaluable as we work to build the best possible learning environment for every child in America.
National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to identify great teachers—and make them better. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, NBCTs have
successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. As part
of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, videotapes and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Additionally, teachers are assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach.
Research shows that teachers who achieve National Board Certification help raise the quality of teaching and learning, particularly for minority children. Research also documents that NBCTs intend to remain in the
profession longer than the general teacher population and are frequently engaged—as mentors and coaches to new and struggling teachers, in curricular decisions, and in organizing professional development opportunities for colleagues.
"National Board Certified Teachers are leading the way in preparing America's diverse student population with the skills it needs to compete in the 21st century workplace," said Joseph A. Aguerrebere, president and CEO, NBPTS. "NBCTs are part of the overall solution to improve the quality of education for every child in this country."
Currently, the number of NBCTs throughout the United States stands at 55,306. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and more than 700 local school districts recognize National Board Certification as a mark of
distinction.
"Anytime we can bring professional educators to the same table with the same goal in mind of giving every child the best possible education is an invaluable experience," said Ohio NBCT Carole Moyer. "This forum marks a unique opportunity for me and my fellow NBCTs to provide a voice for education policy and I am honored to be a part of it."
#JBHI#
About the Hunt Institute
Operating at the intersection of policy and politics, the Hunt Institute works with national, state, and local leaders to secure America's future through quality education. Through its work to train leaders, showcase
promising education practices, and help apply policy research, the Hunt Institute informs and energizes the educational debate—working with leaders to develop, implement and evaluate state-specific education plans.
The result is the sharing and development of ideas and practices about educational leadership, and the conversion of ideas into strategic action.
About NBPTS
Created by educators and policymakers in 1987, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan and nongovernmental organization. NBPTS advances the quality of
teaching and learning by developing professional standards for accomplished teaching; creating and administering National Board Certification, a voluntary system to certify teachers who meet those standards; and integrating certified teachers into educational reform efforts. Today, more than 55,000 National Board Certified Teachers are making a positive difference in the lives of students across the nation.
About the NEA
The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school
administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.