Prospective applicants for National Board state fee support must attend ONE of three orientation sessions scheduled in March, April, and May. There is no cost to attend an orientation, and lunch will be provided. A two-page registration packet with other details is attached to this memorandum. Registration is 9 to 9:30 a.m., with a general session beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The Arkansas Department of Education offers the following support for National Board candidates: candidate fee payment, three days of substitute pay for portfolio preparation, an annual incentive bonus once certified, and opportunities to train as a National Board facilitator once certified. The Department funds neither substitute pay nor travel expenses related to orientation attendance.
ONLY ATTENDEES AT ONE OF THE ORIENTATIONS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR STATE FUNDING OF THE NBPTS CANDIDATE APPLICATION FEE. The deadline to apply for state fee support is Monday, July 1, 2002.
A teacher qualifies to seek state support only if he or she is licensed as an Arkansas teacher, has taught in an Arkansas public school system at least three years prior to candidacy, currently teaches in an Arkansas public school classroom, and attends an orientation. There are other criteria, but these are basic to any candidacy. Unsuccessful candidates must repay state funds as must certified teachers who do not comply with any legal requirements concerning teaching tenure. National Board certified teachers state that a conservative estimate of the time required by this process is 250-300 hours.
There are approximately twenty-five different areas of certification. This information can be accessed through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards web site at www.nbpts.org. Additional information about the state support program is available on the ADE web site at http://arkedu.state.ar.us/teachers/national_board_cert_p1.html.
Questions about the state support program can be directed to Barbara Patty, Professional Quality Enhancement, bpatty@arkedu.k12.ar.us or 501-682-1146. Orientation dates and registration deadlines are listed in the two-page registration packet. If a registrant is confirmed at an orientation, does not attend, and does not cancel, the registrant will automatically be placed on a waiting list and included in the orientation only after the registration deadline has passed should he or she apply for a future orientation.