PROPOSED MEASURE IMPROVES TEACHING STANDARDS

Public Hearing Held on Teacher Certification

AUGUSTA—Lawmakers on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee held a public hearing on a measure that would improve teacher effectiveness. 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, who also serves on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.

“The foundation for a successful public school begins with its teachers,” said Sen. Alfond of Portland, who serves as Assistant Senate Democratic Leader. “This is about improving performance in the classroom and we know that when teachers become life-long learners our classrooms get stronger and our students benefit. Now is the time to strengthen and enhance our teachers.”

Five years ago, the Legislature created a stipend program set at $3,000 to incentivize teachers enlisting into the National Board Certification Program. Sen. Alfond’s measure would reduce the state’s share of the salary stipend from $3,000 to $2,000, and would require each School Administrative Unit (SAU) to provide at least $1,000 of the salary supplement. In addition, SAUs will be required to dedicate a share of their per-pupil funding for professional development to assist teachers seeking National Board Certification.

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 212 are National Board Certified.

Alfond added, “The measure also aims to improve teacher retention rate and reduce teacher turnover. We must make it easier for teachers to apply and enroll in the certification program.”

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.

Later this month, the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee will hold a work session on LD 1781.