Over the last five years, Texas has increased funding to reward effective educators with higher compensation. Teachers can often obtain that bonus pay by becoming a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT), which requires completing both a computer-based assessment and an electronic portfolio of materials.
Through the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) online Master of Science (M.S.) in Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) with a Specialization in Master Teacher program, educators work closely with NBCT faculty to master the core principles of the certification and provide evidence to show they are meeting the board’s high standards.
What Is National Board Certification Teacher Licensure?
In 1983, the U.S. Department of Education released a groundbreaking report with an alarming title: “A Nation at Risk.” Its findings revealed that many educators were severely underpaid and received too little training in the subject matter they were expected to teach. By 1987, a national task force formed the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), which began the process of certifying teachers who met rigorous requirements.
National Board Certification is based on the following five core propositions, or beliefs, that effective educators hold:
- Commit to students.
- Know the subjects you teach and how to adapt to students’ learning needs.
- Manage and monitor student learning.
- Think systematically about your practice and learn from experience.
- Serve as a member of learning communities.
The certification is available in 16 different disciplines and four developmental levels. To earn this certification, educators must have a bachelor’s degree, three years of successful teaching experience and a valid state teaching license. From there, candidates must pass a computer-based test assessing their subject matter expertise and pedagogical knowledge. Teachers must also submit electronic portfolios, including videos of classroom activities and work samples demonstrating student growth over time.
Those portfolios must show excellence in three categories: differentiation in instruction, teaching practice and learning environment, and effective and reflective practitioner. Each component demonstrates an educator’s commitment to engaging students in the classroom, using assessments to foster student growth over time and continuing to seek professional development through their learning communities.
The Value of National Board Certification
First and foremost, going through the National Board Certification process leads to better outcomes for students in the classroom. The most recent study on the impact of licensed teachers from the NBPTS estimates that students working with a board-certified teacher see an increase in learning equivalent to an additional one to two months of instruction with a non-certified teacher.
Minority and low-income students see even larger growth in test scores and other positive outcomes. Teachers who become NBCTs also typically see better results on other measures of teacher effectiveness, including their regular classroom observations.
In addition, teachers in Texas have the opportunity to see the financial benefits of this certification. State legislators adopted a bill in 2019 that authorized the creation of the Teacher Incentive Allotment program, which allows educators to earn anywhere between $3,000 and $32,000 in extra pay if they achieve one of three designations — Recognized, Exemplary or Master — acknowledged by the Texas Education Agency.
Educators who complete the NBCT process, which usually takes one to three years, can automatically be designated as “Recognized” and earn bonus pay if they meet the eligibility requirements set by the state government. Every teacher in the state is eligible for the program, and their certification will follow them to any district with the possibility of earning more compensation if they go to an underserved or rural district.
How TAMIU Equips Students for National Board Certification
Students in TAMIU’s online M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction – Master Teacher program take specialized master teacher courses designed to help educators apply for National Board Certification. These advanced courses cover all aspects of national board standards and include the Making Knowledge Accessible to Students course and the Managing and Monitoring Student Learning course. Others include the Application of Pedagogical Content Knowledge and Collaboration in Learning Community courses.
With the support of national board-certified instructors, educators complete course modules and analyze video cases of NBCT teachers in the classroom. Upon completing the program, TAMIU graduates are prepared to create portfolios and demonstrate their commitment to excellence in all aspects of their students’ educational experience.
Learn more about Texas A&M International University’s online Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction with a Specialization in Master Teacher program.
