National Board Requirements
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Requirements
For education specialists, providing insightful, focused instruction is important, and to be recognized as a highly qualified teacher can provide ample opportunity for reaching students. Becoming National Board certified is the ultimate demonstration of expertise for teachers. One of the best ways to master your subject is by pursuing a graduate degree with a concentration in your discipline like the various focuses available as part of the online Master of Education offered at the University of Cincinnati. By honing your teaching ability in your subject of interest, you prepare yourself for a more successful career. If you’re interested in becoming Board certified, you should also familiarize yourself with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) requirements you will need to fulfill.
Certification Standards
To achieve NBPTS certification, educators must exhibit characteristics that are embodied by the Five Propositions. The Five Propositions are:
Proposition 1: Teachers are Committed to Students and Their Learning.
Proposition 2: Teachers Know the Subjects They Teach and How to Teach Those Subjects to Students.
Proposition 3: Teachers are Responsible for Managing and Monitoring Student Learning.
Proposition 4: Teachers Think Systematically About Their Practice and Learn From Experience.
Proposition 5: Teachers are Members of Learning Communities
Additionally, they have to meet other rigorous standards decided upon by a special board committee that seek educators who are highly skilled and knowledgeable in their subject. They especially privilege educators who demonstrate professional judgment in the classroom and have a holistic approach to instruction. When choosing a graduate degree program, educators should look for well-rounded programs like the Master of Education at the University of Cincinnati, which provides courses that instill innovation, administration and communication skills in teachers.
At its core, the NBPTS certification works to reinforce strong educators and improve student learning. But other benefits include the potential for salary increases and career advancement. Another argument in favor of NBPTS certification is that it allows for teachers to obtain national certification, so your license is never limited to application in the state you got it in. This saves educators a lot of time and offers mobility to a previously restricted career. There are also potential personal rewards to being certified by the NBPTS, including the influence you’ll have over other educators, your identification as a leader in the education community, the respect you’ll receive from peers and administration, as well as having a direct impact on the successes your students achieve.
How to Apply for NPBTS Certification
To be eligible for NPBTS certification, educators must meet certain prerequisites. All teachers must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and have been employed in a classroom for a minimum of three years. All of that experience must have occurred while you were fully licensed and/or state approved. These base requirements must be met by all applicants, but just because you meet the requirements doesn’t mean you are qualified for certification. After applying, all educators must go through an assessment process that proves your capability to the committee.
During the assessment process, all candidates must submit portfolios and perform specific exercises to demonstrate their teaching abilities. This process can take up to three years in some cases. The portfolio requirement asks for four portfolio entries. Three of these must be performed inside the classroom, and the final portfolio entry must take place outside of school. For the exercises, educators complete six exercises that pertain to their subject area. They have 30 minutes to complete the exercises at specified testing centers. In the end, the whole process is assessed by at least 12 educators who have already become NBPTS certified.
Because of how rigorous the standards are, many educators choose to seek further education beyond their bachelor’s degree before applying. That’s why an online Master of Education from the University of Cincinnati is advantageous because it can be completed without leaving your school so you can apply your studies directly in your classroom. In this way, you assess your own practice under the guidance of a network of experienced faculty and benefit from the experiences of your cohorts who are going through the same coursework that you are. This insight strengthens you as an educator and prepares you for the high expectations of the NBPTS assessment.
Once certified, the license lasts for 10 years, so the hard work educators must do in order to achieve NBPTS certification pays off with lasting qualification.
