Developed by and for classroom teachers, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) program is a year-long process that provides opportunities for collaboration and reflection as teachers refine and strengthen their skills on the basis of standards written and reviewed by their peers.Most experienced teachers in public or private schools are eligible.
Click here to learn more about the program from the NBPTS.
National Board Certification Handbook
A practical handbook edited by Diane Barrone answers many questions about the NBPTS process. Beginning with the decision to seek certification, continuing through the portfolio and assessment process and ending with what to do if you don’t successfully complete all of the requirements for certification, this book will support and guide you.
Click here to access the handbook online.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
A law passed in 2001 allows teachers who earn the designation of National Board Certified Teacher to utilize that experience towards their continuing education unit (CEU) requirement. Specifically, Section 10-145(1)(1) of the General Statutes was amended by Section 15 of Public Act 01-173, to provide the professional educator the option of utilizing “documented completion of National Board Certification assessment in the appropriate endorsement area” as continuing education activity valid toward completing their CEU requirement.
The General Assembly has since passed a law requiring the State Board of Education (SBE) to issue a Connecticut provisional or professional certificate, with an appropriate endorsement, to any teacher from another US possession or territory, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico who
(1) applies;
(2) holds a national board certification from an organization the education commissioner considers appropriate; and
(3) has taught for at least three of the past 10 years in another state, US. possession or territory, the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.
The teacher must receive a provisional certificate if he/she has not completed 30 credits of qualifying coursework beyond a bachelor’s degree. If he or she has the 30 credits, SBE must him/her a professional certificate.
Loans & Grants
The Connecticut State Department of Education (SDE) will utilize NBPTS Candidate Subsidy funds to support 31 candidates at $1,150 of the $2, 300 certfication fee.
Candidates must meet NBPTS eligibility guidelines. Teachers interested in using candidate subsidy funds to help with the fee MUST submit their NBC application through the program administrator:
Lee Marcoux, Associate Education Consultant
Connecticut SDE
165 Capitol Avenue, Room 215
Hartford, CT 06106
Email: lee.marcoux@po.state.ct.us
Phone: (860) 713-6749
Fax: (860) 713-7018
Graduate Credit
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) has announced that up to six semester hours of graduate credit in education could be awarded to thousands of teachers who have completed all requirements of the National Board Certification process and to those who complete the process in the future.National Board Certified Teachers and candidates who began the process during the 1996-97 academic year and later are eligible to receive these credits.
Click here for more information on NBPTS college and graduate credit opportunities.
