Baton Rouge, La. – Teacher quality in Louisiana continues to make great strides with 170 teachers achieving National Board Certification in 2008. The national certifications earned by teachers across the state this year mean that 1,389 of Louisiana’s more than 55,000 school teachers have earned this distinction. For two straight years, Louisiana has ranked 14th nationwide in the total number of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs).
Nationwide, only 2 percent of teachers are Nationally Board Certified; in Louisiana, roughly 2.5 percent of teachers have achieved national certification. However, Louisiana’s ranking in the number of new NCBTs dropped from 13th in 2007 to 15th in 2008.
Louisiana teachers receiving the credential this year represent 41 school districts across the state, one private school and one laboratory school. Districts with the highest number of NBCTs are Jefferson Parish with 24 and East Baton Rouge Parish with 16. Cumulatively, Jefferson Parish, St. Tammany Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish, Caddo Parish and Ascension Parish are the top five school districts in terms of total NBCTs.
State Education Superintendent Paul Pastorek said National Board Certification is another positive step toward creating a world-class education system for all students in Louisiana.
“Educators that are committed to going through the rigorous process of becoming nationally certified also demonstrate a high level of commitment to the profession and to the students they teach,” Pastorek noted. “As a result, the academic achievement of our students will continue to increase as the number of NBCTs grows each year.”
A report released several months ago by the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies backs up Pastorek’s claim. The NRC study found that National Board Certification had a positive impact on student achievement, teacher retention, and professional development.
In fact, Louisiana is so convinced that the certification pays high dividends for students that it pays incentives to teachers who have the certification, including a $5,000 salary supplement for the life of the certificate. Some districts also offer teachers incentives for earning the certification.
“Teaching is a profession that requires continuous professional development and lifelong learning in order to be successful,” Deputy Superintendent Ollie Tyler said. “The teachers who achieve national certification are in-tune with the latest innovations and proven techniques in education and are able to connect with today’s students as they grow and learn. This generation wants to know how the lessons they learn in the classroom apply to the real world, and Nationally Board Certified Teachers are better equipped to make that connection and go beyond the usual classroom methods.”
Currently, another 347 Louisiana candidates are working to become nationally certified.
For a list of Louisiana’s 2008 NBCTs, click on the link below or visit www.LouisianaSchools.net.
2008 National Board Certified Teachers
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