MEASURE TO IMPROVE TEACHING STANDARDS PASSES

AUGUSTA—Lawmakers on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee passed a measure that would improve teacher effectiveness with a unanimous vote.  The measure encourages and provides incentives for teachers to attain national certification from a preeminent, national certification program.

LD 1781 “An Act To Restructure the National Board Certification Program for Teachers” was sponsored by Senator Justin Alfond (D-Portland), who also serves on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.

“Maine teachers are among the most dedicated professionals in our state,” Senator Alfond commented, “and I am very pleased that my colleagues recognized that we need great teachers in the classroom.”

Five years ago, the Legislature created a stipend program set at $3,000 to incentivize teachers enlisting into the National Board Certification Program (NBCP).  However the NBCP stipend has been reduced and currently sits at $1,950.  The unanimous committee vote would return the salary stipend to $3,000 by 2014-2015.  Additionally, the bill would create a scholarship fund to encourage more teachers to enter into the NBCP.

Currently, Maine is in the bottom 20% of states when it comes to Board Certified teachers. Out of an estimated 15,000 public school teachers in Maine, only 158 are National Board Certified.

“The foundation of a successful public education system is great teachers and leaders,” Alfond said in his prepared testimony delivered to the Education Committee, “and the best teachers and leaders are life-long learners”
National Board Certification is administered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The certification is valid for 10 years, and may be renewed.  The rigorous, multi-year process is an advanced teaching credential.  As part of the certification process candidates complete 10 assessments that are reviewed by trained teachers in their certificate areas and spend up to 400 hours completing the program.

Teacher who work in Maine schools speak very highly of the program as well.  Grace Leavitt of Raymond, Maine said: “The National Board Certification process is a proven way for teachers to continually improve their practice and to increase student learning.  It only makes sense for Maine to encourage teachers to engage in this rigorous process, to support those who do, and to reward those who successfully demonstrate these high standards.  National Board teachers have a positive impact on not only their own students’ learning; these teachers also positively influence their colleagues and their schools.  There is a big return on a relatively small investment.”