Diversity Initiatives

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards® (NBPTS) is committed to strengthening high-need schools, with a special focus on encouraging teachers of color to pursue National Board Certification®. NBPTS believes every child, regardless of socioeconomic status or ethnic/racial or linguistic background, deserves the opportunity to be taught by an accomplished teacher.

NBPTS works to recruit and support teachers and school administrators in meeting the needs of students in low-performing schools. National Board Certified Teachers® (NBCTs) teach in rural and urban schools and are ethnically and racially diverse. The number of NBCTs of color continues to rise—showing an overall 18 percent increase over last year. Since 2004, the number of NBCTs of color has increased by 41 percent. Specifically:

• The number of African American NBCTs increased 7 percent in 2007, with an increase of 35 percent overall since 2004.
• The number of Asian NBCTs increased 38 percent in 2007, with an increase of 37 percent overall since 2004.
• The number of Hispanic NBCTs increased 34 percent in 2007, with an increase of 51 percent overall since 2004

Nearly 42 percent of all NBCTs are teaching in Title I schools as defined by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Through its Program Access and Equity Division, NBPTS develops and supports school/district level programs, initiatives and collaborations that foster seamless professional development for teachers in high need schools using National Board Certification and National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) as key change agents for student learning and student success.

Recruitment
NBPTS and its partner HP created The Direct Recruiting Efforts to Attract Minorities (DREAM) Team as a targeted recruitment project designed to heighten awareness of what National Board Certification means for teachers and students of color. Additionally, through HP, NBPTS will sponsor the “Each One/Reach One” events in selected districts in fall 2008.

Support
The Targeted High Need Initiative (THNI) program increases teacher quality and student achievement in high-need schools through the recruitment and support of new and experienced teachers pursuing National Board Certification and currently serving in a high-need schools.  A major initiative of NBPTS, THNI supports the development Comprehensive Candidate Support Centers, cohorts of teachers participating in Take One! and the offering of NBPTS Foundation of Candidate Support in high need schools and districts.

Awareness
Take One! is a classroom-based professional development program, which allows educators to complete one portfolio entry and have it scored in accordance with NBPTS standards. Take One! requires that educators have access to a preK-12 classroom in order to complete the portfolio entry.

Teacher Leadership
National Board Certified Teachers and local education leaders and policymakers meet and discuss ways to attract and retain highly-qualified teachers in high-needs schools.