In the last ten years, many teachers have gone through the lengthy and difficult process of earning their National Board Certification, but things are changing for these expert teachers. A teacher must be in the classroom for at least three years before considering the program and to become a board certified teacher (much like other professions), the coursework is demanding and time consuming. In recent years, many states and districts have given incentives for teachers to go through the process, including paying for the courses, materials, and time off if needed, all in return for staying with the district that pays and perhaps even getting an additional pay increase for being a leader and expert. For many teachers this has become a way of getting a raise in tough economic times, but as we all know, those times are changing.
An article in today’s Washington Post discusses the possibility of cutting the program, saving the district $600,000. Other districts around the country are also contemplating cutting the extra cash for teachers, blaming trimmed down budgets and impacting fewer teachers than a wholesale change for all teachers. With as much rhetoric coming out of Washington and state capitols about high teacher quality, the program is something we’d expect to hear about regarding increased funding, not the opposite. The fact is, these dedicated teachers are often leaders in and outside the classroom. If teacher-leaders stop being recognized (other than a polite thank you from administrators and parents), will they continue to lead?
BoardBuzz gets concerned when good teachers and school leaders are taken for granted, especially in programs that work. Students in Washington, D.C., as well as many other urban, rural, and suburban districts deserve more of these dedicated teachers who are rewarded for their professionalism and dedication to their field. We know the money isn’t the only reason teachers become board certified, but isn’t it fair to pay them for going the extra mile? In any other profession, they would be treated that way.
I am a newly-minted NBCT from Washington State. Our state’s stipend for becoming National Board certified is quite generous (and was a very welcome addition to my December 31st paycheck!) However, I fear that I may not see the additional nine years of my promised bonus owing to scary rumblings from our legislators in Olympia. It is somewhat disheartening to be recognized as “one of the best” via National Board Certification, and then to be told that the monetary compensation for this achievement should be considered a negotiable item that can be cut off if necessary.
I am a Nationally Certified Teacher in Georgia, and unfortunately, cutting our “bonus” is exactly what our State did due to budget woes. Although we were promised the bonus for a period of ten years (I’m in my 8th year), the State is saying the money just isn’t there (even for current NBCTs); then again, our governor allotted around 20 million dollars for his “Fish Georgia” campaign, which has not been cut. I completely agree that it is “disheartening to be recognized as one of the best via National Board Certification, and then to be told that the monetary compensation for this achievement should be considered a negotiable item that can be cut off if necessary.” However, that is just what we are being told in Georgia, which unfortunately already rates pretty low in education compared to the national average. Our legislators are in assembly right now trying to “figure something out” in terms of continuing our bonuses, but this whole issue has been very frustrating. (And I am planning to begin the renewal process this year.) I just think it’s unfair to target this particular group of hard-working teachers!!!
[...] quality is an issue that is too important to over-simplify, and as BoardBuzz has pointed out in the past, giving teachers incentives like national board certification to be better can be worth the extra [...]