WSU College of Education | National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) program at Washington State University offers peer collaboration, networking, and mentoring support to teachers across Washington who are interested in becoming National Board Certified.

How our program is different
School counselor NBPTS certification
Online support program
Timeline Timeline - School Counselors
Fees and due dates
About NBPTS
Scholarships, loans, and bonuses
Professional Certification at WSU

OSPI Conditional loan application 2012-2013 windows

February 13, 2012 - March 16, 2012 (notified by April 6, 2012)

April 23, 2012 - May 18, 2012 (notified by June 1, 2012)

How WSU's program is different

Teachers/counselors who complete the WSU NBPTS program consistently exceed the national and state certification rates as first-time candidates. Teachers may opt for six graduate semester credits that may be applied to an advanced degree or 90 clock hours through the WSU NBPTS program.

The WSU NBPTS program is different than any other in the state. We offer:

A minimum of 90 contact hours with facilitator(s)/cohort
Local delivery throughout the state (contact Debra Pastore to start a cohort in your area/district)
National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT)-led cohorts
Connection with NBCTs from each certificate area
A Candidate Orientation to introduce candidates to the National Board process
Flexible meeting schedule created locally to meet the needs of individual cohorts
A program director with comprehensive NBPTS knowledge and experience

Two teachers hold their ProTeach portfolios

WSU has maintained the 90 hours of program/contact time based on feedback from teachers who completed our program. In program evaluations, when asked "having completed the program, was the amount of time..." teachers responded:

the right amount, 77 percent;
not enough time, 7 percent;
too much time, 16 percent.

Online support program

WSU offers an online NBPTS support program targeted toward teachers whose geographical location might prevent them from pursuing National Board Certification. However, the online program is available to everyone. The online program will require attendance at the WEA sponsored Jump Start and Home Stretch sessions. Please contact Debra Pastore for admittance to the online NBPTS program.

WSU NBPTS timeline

Feb 13, 2012 - March 16, 2012	Teachers should apply for a conditional loan through OSPI
May	Washington Initiative conditional loans awarded to teachers
April 23, 2012 - May 18, 2012	Applications accepted for second round of OSPI conditional loans Candidates review university NBPTS programs and register with support provider
June/July	Washington State University (WSU) NBPTS program begins with the Candidate Orientation
July August	WSU NBPTS candidates meet once during each of the summer months to begin work on their NBPTS portfolio
September October November December	Candidates meet with their National Board Certified Teacher facilitators in a cohort setting twice a month
January February	Candidates meet in their support groups 2 or 3 times a month further refining their NBPTS portfolio
March 31	Portfolios due at the National Board for assessment.
April 15	Take One entries due at NBPTS Advanced Candidate portfolio retake entries due at NBPTS
April May	Candidates prepare for the Assessment Center exercises where they are tested on content knowledge in six areas related to their certificate area
June 15	Deadline/last day for completing Assessment Center exercises
December 31	Candidates notified by December 31st of certification status

WSU fees & due dates
NBPTS fees & due dates

About NBPTS

NBPTS requires teachers/counselors who apply for certification to develop a portfolio of their teaching practice through written and electronically recorded (DVD) entries providing evidence of impact on student learning. Teachers are also tested on their content knowledge through computer-based assessment center exercises. The National Board offers certification in 25 different areas, which are based on student age and/or content area. Teachers report, on average, working 250-350 hours outside the classroom preparing for National Board assessment.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization rooted in the belief that the single most important action this country can take to improve schools and student learning is to strengthen teaching. The organization's mission is to advance the quality of teaching and learning by maintaining high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do, providing a national voluntary system certifying teachers who meet these standards, and advocating related education reforms.

Scholarships, loans, and bonuses

To encourage teachers/school counselors in Washington State to apply for NBPTS certification, the state of Washington offers no-interest conditional loans of $2000. Upon achieving National Board Certification, teachers/school counselors will receive an annual $5,000 bonus from the state of Washington each year they remain in the classroom or as a principal for the life of the certificate (10 years) and renew their Washington credential for life of the certificate. In addition to this stipend, teachers in high-needs schools: (elementary 70% FRPL, middle school 60% FRPL, and high school 50% FRPL) will receive an additional $5,000 annual bonus for the life of the National Board certificate.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards offers scholarships to teachers/counselors on a first-come, first served basis.

Please visit the Washington Education Association for information on the WEA sponsored "Jump Start" and "Home Stretch".

**Professional Certification/ProTeach at WSU**

For information about the WSU ProTeach Support Program visit our website.

To learn more about ProTeach certification in general, visit the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) ProTeach at PESB.

Contact us

Debra Pastore, Director
National Board Certification
Professional Certification
College of Education
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-2114

Phone: 509-335-7475
Fax: 509-335-7363
dpastore@wsu.edu

Quick links

College of Education, Cleveland Hall, PO Box 642114, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-2114, Contact Us

College of Education

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards