Contact: Tom McCarthy, DPI Communications Director, (608) 266-3559

MADISON — Wisconsin has 102 teachers who achieved five-year certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards this month, putting the state among 12 nationwide with more than 100 new National Board Certified Teachers for 2018.

In addition to those earning new board certification, Wisconsin has 42 teachers who renewed their national accreditation. Those who received national certification before 2017 have a 10-year credential. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) ranks Wisconsin 19th among states for the number of teachers with national certification. Overall, Wisconsin records 1,184 teachers with national board certification.

“Congratulations to those earning or renewing national board certification,” said State
Superintendent and Governor-elect Tony Evers. “Through this rigorous process, these educators demonstrate dedication to their students, communities, and profession. This transformative investment in professional development has demonstrated benefits for our kids. That is why we included a strategy in our budget to close gaps based on national board certification.”

The Department of Public Instruction’s 2019-21 budget request seeks enhanced incentives for NBPTS teachers working in the state’s five largest districts. These districts – Milwaukee, Madison, Kenosha, Green Bay, and Racine – educate disproportionate shares of student groups experiencing our largest achievement gaps, making them key partners in closing gaps.

According to the NBPTS, research from across the country over the past decade confirms that students taught by board-certified teachers learn more than students taught by other teachers. The increased learning is estimated to be one to two months of instruction with even greater positive impact for low-income students. Most recently, a 2017 Mississippi State University study shows that, on average, kindergarten and third-grade students with a national board certified reading teacher perform at a significantly higher level on literacy assessments than their peers.

Nationwide, 3,907 teachers achieved national board certification and another 4,446 board certified teachers successfully renewed their credential, bringing the total number of board-certified teachers to 122,155. National board certification is a performance-based, peer-reviewed process that requires teachers to demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and
practice in their subject area through three portfolio entries and a computer-based assessment. The certification process, created by teachers for teachers, is based on the
Five Core Propositions and Standards for teaching.

Certification is available in 25 areas across 16 subjects and four developmental levels.
The state of Wisconsin offers reimbursement of up to $2,000 toward the cost for earning national board certification. Thereafter, public, private, or tribal school teachers who maintain their Wisconsin license and have a rating of effective or highly effective in the applicable Educator Effectiveness System can receive an annual stipend of $2,500, doubled for those working in high-poverty schools, for each year of teaching with the national credential.

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