Candidate Support Program
The support program offers teachers an opportunity to collaborate with National Board Certified Teachers and other National Board candidates while completing the portfolio and preparing for the assessment center exercises. The goal of the program is to assist each participant to create a portfolio that meets the requirements for certification. Certificate groups are led by board certified teachers in each content and development area who help candidates learn to create descriptions of their practice, identify compelling evidence of standards, ask probing questions designed to elicit deeper analysis, and develop new perspectives on their teaching practices. Candidates are encouraged to look at their work together and help one another develop and refine their entries through deep, collaborative conversations.
Where and when does the Support Group meet?
The Stanford support group meets monthly on Saturday mornings from 8:30-12:30 on the Stanford University campus. In addition, Candidate Support Providers occasionally arrange meetings for small groups outside the regular meeting times. What topics are covered in the support group meetings?
What topics are covered in the support group meetings?
Large group meetings address topics that are common across all areas. The schedule for the 2009-10 support year is:
| Session I: August 29 | Getting started |
| Session II: September 26 | Portfolio Basics |
| Session III: October 10 | Deconstructing the Standards |
| Session IV: November 14 | Organizing materials for Entry 4 and the Assessment Center exercises |
| Session V: December 12 | Understanding the scoring process |
| Session VI: January 9 | Writing and assessing your commentaries |
| Session VII: February 6 | Concentration on portfolio development |
| Session VIII: March 6 | Concentration on portfolio development and preparing for submission |
| Session IX: April 17 | Assessment Center study groups |
| Session X: May 8 | Assessment Center study groups and celebrating completing the process |
Who may attend enroll in the support group?
The support group is open to pre-candidates, candidates for full NB certification, those who are working on Take One! entries, advanced candidates and other educators who are interested in learning first hand about the certification process (e.g., administrators, principals, etc.)
Is there a fee for the program?
The program is subsidized partly through foundation grants, but participants are asked to contribute $250.00 to pay portions of the cost not covered by our funding.
May I earn university credits for my work?
For an additional fee of $75.00, you may earn up to ten quarter units through Stanford Continuing Studies awarded on the basis of the number of sessions attended (a minimum of 7) and the number of entries completed and submitted to the NBPTS.
How do I register for the Candidate Support Group?
You may register and pay fees online. You will be notified when your registration is received.