CTA/NBRC BIPOC Cohort FAQ
What does the National Board Certification process involve?
National Board Certification is a standards-based demonstration of accomplished teaching practice. In all 25 certificate areas, candidates complete four components: three components are classroom-based portfolios grounded in artifacts of teaching practice; one component is a computer-based assessment taken at a testing center. Candidates have up to three years to submit the four components. For more information, visit this "Getting Started" page from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. You can click here to watch a recording of an information session hosted by CTA and NBRC.
What costs are involved in National Board Certification? Who pays these costs?
Through the CTA/NBRC BIPOC cohort, all fees for participation in the support program are covered by generous funding from the California Teachers Association and National Board Resource Center at Stanford. While this opportunity does not cover the direct costs of certification, we will provide support and information about accessing local funding sources, including the new California National Board Incentive Grant.
National Board certification costs $475 per component for each of the 4 components, plus a $75 registration fee for every school year that you submit components. This fee is paid to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The California National Board Incentive Grant will award $2,500 to any teacher who initiates the process of pursuing a certification from the National Board Certification when teaching at a high-priority school*. This funding will be disbursed directly to NBPTS to cover the cost of purchasing National Board components. Candidates will still be required to cover the yearly $75 registration fee.
*high-priority school is defined as a school with 55% or more of its pupils classified as an English learner or foster youth, or eligible for a free or reduced-price meal.
Currently, there is only funding available for the CTA/NBRC BIPOC cohort through the 2024-2025 school year, but we hope to be able to continue this cohort in upcoming years!
What is the time commitment?
The CTA/NBRC BIPOC cohort will join the NBRC Online Support Group Tuesdays, 5-6pm Pacific. Additional BIPOC Cohort-specific meetings will meet at least once a month, at times and days to be determined.
The amount of time that you will spend working on your portfolio outside of meetings will depend on how many components you are planning to submit in a given year, your work style, your schedule. Timewise, many people compare the National Board certification process to earning a masters degree.
When does the CTA/NBRC BIPOC cohort meet?
The CTA/NBRC BIPOC cohort will join the NBRC Online Support Group Tuesdays, 5-6pm Pacific. Additional BIPOC Cohort-specific meetings will meet at least once a month, at times and days to be determined. Support group meetings will begin in September 2024.
Where will support group meetings take place?
All meetings will be held virtually, via the Zoom platform. Members of the CTA/NBRC BIPOC cohort will also have access to an asynchronous online course to support your work between sessions.
What are the benefits of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT)?
Many National Board Certified Teachers find that the certification process is the best professional development they have ever experienced! National Board certification can strengthen your teaching practice, connect you with a larger professional community, and open new opportunities to impact education.
There are also financial incentives for National Board Certified Teachers. Through the California National Board Incentive Grant, the state of California will provide a stipend of $5,000 per year for up to five years for National Board Certified teachers teaching in high priority schools*. This stipend is in addition to any financial incentives offered by an individual school or district. It is not yet clear how teachers can access this funding, but we are hoping to know details by late November.
Many school districts offer additional financial incentives for National Board Certified Teachers, such as salary stipends. Check with your district’s human resources department for more information.
*high-priority school is defined as a school with 55% or more of its pupils classified as an English learner or foster youth, or eligible for a free or reduced-price meal. See the California Department of Education's list of eligible high-priority schools at this website.
What is the difference between the NBRC Online Support Group and the CTA/NBRC BIPOC cohort?
The NBRC Online Support Group is open to any teacher pursuing National Board Certification, regardless of their background, geographic location, or school type. Members of the CTA/NBRC BIPOC cohort will be fully funded to participate in the NBRC Online Support Group, where they will receive certificate-area support and other general information about the certification process. Additionally, members of the CTA/NBRC BIPOC Cohort will also receive additional community-building with the BIPOC cohort and mentoring and support facilitated by National Board Certified teachers of color.
Is the BIPOC Cohort for first-time candidates or Maintenance of Certification (MOC)?
At this time, the CTA/NBRC BIPOC cohort is only for candidates who are working on their initial certification. We hope to be able to offer a cohort for Maintenance of Certification candidates in the future! We encourage MOC candidates to consider joining the NBRC's Maintenance of Certification cohort, open to all candidates.
I’m not a teacher of color / I don’t teach at a high-priority CA public school / I’m not a CTA member. Can I still apply for this cohort?
Not at this time. We still encourage you to join the NBRC’s Online Support Group ($500/year). Talk with your school administrators about the possibility of getting your school to cover the costs associated with participating in the NBRC support group and, as needed, of National Board Certification. Schools can use federal funding from the American Recovery Plan and CARES acts for certification and support group costs (more info here)!
How will applicants be selected for the CTA/NBRC BIPOC cohort?
In addition to seeking applicants who meet the eligibility criteria, applications will be selected to ensure a diverse balance of the following elements: racial and ethnic diversity, geographic representation, and subject matter/grade level interest/expertise. We will also prioritize applicants who do not already have access to National Board certification support through their school or district.