Arlington, Va. (April 13, 2010) – Research shows that National Board Certification for classroom teachers improves student learning while bolstering teaching effectiveness, retention and leadership. To increase support for whole school improvement, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) has teamed with PBS TeacherLine^® (www.pbs.org/teacherline), the premier provider of online professional development for preK-12 educators, to offer an online training course for educators who support teachers pursuing this advanced teaching credential.

To help grow the number of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in America’s schools, NBPTS has developed an online version of its face-to-face Candidate Support Provider (CSP) training for educators who provide support to teachers as they go through the rigorous National Board Certification process. NBPTS, the organization that developed and administers the standards and assessment process for National Board Certification, is expanding its CSP program through PBS TeacherLine’s online facilitated learning environment.

The online course, hosted by PBS TeacherLine, provides a convenient option for educators to ensure they receive the high-quality training needed to guide peers effectively. Candidate Support Providers – NBCTs, teacher leaders, school counselors, principals, professors, and others – help teachers to better analyze and reflect on their practice as it relates to the NBPTS Standards, to understand the certification process, and to demonstrate evidence of the standards in practice.

“National Board Certified Teachers are proven leaders in education. By having them serve as candidate support providers, schools and school districts will embed a commitment of professional teaching standards beyond the classroom,” said Joseph A. Aguerrebere, president and CEO of NBPTS. "Their leadership skills are critical in helping other teachers as they face the challenge of the National Board Certification process. We are pleased to collaborate with PBS TeacherLine to ensure high-quality online professional development.”

National Board Certification, for veteran teachers, is a 10-part performance assessment that includes video portfolios, analysis of classroom practice, and evaluation of content knowledge. It is part of a growing education reform movement that is reshaping American education by developing, recognizing and retaining great teachers. In a congressionally mandated report, the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies confirmed that National Board Certified Teachers advance student achievement and learning, stay in the classroom longer, support new and struggling teachers, and assume other school-based leadership roles. The NRC acknowledged that students taught by National Board Certified Teachers make higher gains on achievement tests than students taught by non-board-certified teachers. In 2009, nearly 8,900 teachers nationwide achieved National Board Certification, bringing the total number of teachers and counselors certified by NBPTS to more than 82,000.

The Candidate Support Provider Online Course is designed to provide both new and experienced candidate support providers with the practical knowledge, skills and tools needed to successfully support teacher candidates during the National Board Certification process. The six-week, 30-hour course is designed for public and private school personnel in K-12 and higher education, professional associations, and other education organizations who are interested in guiding candidates through National Board Certification process. The course is open to National Board Certified Teachers, non-board-certified teachers, professional development staff, and others.

Through the course, educators will learn:

• Fundamentals of ethical candidate support
• Processes used for scoring portfolio entries and assessment center exercises
• How to apply adult learning principles, use effective communication skills, and review portfolio entries
• How to locate elements of evidence and provide meaningful feedback to candidates to help them deepen their level of thinking about their teaching practices.

More Information

The first offering of the Candidate Support Provider Online Course is during PBS TeacherLine’s summer course session, now open for enrollment. Courses begin June 23. The cost of the course is $295. Educational institutions can coordinate a private offering of the course by contacting NBPTS. For more information, visit www.nbpts.org/csp. To learn more about PBS TeacherLine, visit www.pbs.org/teacherline.

About the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

NBPTS 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 82,000 National Board Certified Teachers are making a positive difference in the lives of students across the nation. For more information about NBPTS and National Board Certification, visit www.nbpts.org.

About PBS TeacherLine

PBS TeacherLine is committed to helping teachers acquire the skills they need to prepare students for a successful future. PBS TeacherLine provides high-quality, affordable professional development through facilitated, online courses, collaborative learning communities, and exemplary Internet-based resources. Currently, more than 130 courses across multiple subject areas are offered. Teachers can earn continuing education units, professional development points, and graduate credits for course completion. The courses have been developed in conjunction with leading education organizations, including Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL), Education Development Center (EDC), Concord Consortium, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and International Society for Technology Education. Created in 2000, PBS TeacherLine is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, which represents approximately 85 percent of the total program funding. The remaining 15 percent is funded through in-kind support from PBS and through program income.

About PBS

PBS, with its 356 member stations, offers all Americans – from every walk of life – the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches more than 124 million people on-air and online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and Web site, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.

Editor’s Note: This news announcement was developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, nor constitute endorsement by the federal government. PBS TeacherLine is registered trademark of PBS. National Board Certification is a registered trademark of NBPTS.

Contacts

PBS TeacherLine
Donovan Goode
703-739-5073
dwgoode at pbs dot org
www.pbs.org

C. Blohm & Associates, Inc.
Kristen Plemon
608-839-9805
kristen at cblohm dot com
www.cblohm.com

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