FAQ                 
 

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Duquesne University’s
Center for National Board Certification


Why is Duquesne University providing this National Board Certification program?

  • Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell decided to make National Board Certification, including fee support, part of his education program.
     

  • Currently four universities, Duquesne, Gannon, East Stroudsburg and Temple have been selected, based on an application process, to provide candidate preparation and support to interested teachers and state licensed school counselors. The program is funded by the state.


Why should I become part of Duquesne University’s National Board Certification cohort?

  • Nationwide, statistics indicate that candidates for National Board Certification achieve certification at a higher rate than teachers/state licensed school counselors who attempt certification on their own.
     

  • Candidate preparation and support are provided to teachers/state licensed school counselors at no cost.
     

  • Candidates involved in Duquesne University’s cohort will have the opportunity to work with National Board Certified Teachers as the candidates work through the process in a formal Candidate Preparation Program.

National Board Candidacy


Who is eligible to become a candidate?

  • To pursue National Board Certification, candidates must have:

    • Baccalaureate degree;
       

    • Three years of teaching/counseling experience in early childhood, elementary, middle or secondary schools prior to submitting an application;
       

    • A valid state teaching license for each of those three years.
       

How do I become a candidate for National Board Certification?

  • The application for National Board Certification is only available online. Visit the National Board website at www.nbpts.org. Save and print the screen that tells you that you have successfully applied. That screen will have your name and some other information, including your candidate I.D. number. You will need copies of that form to apply for the state and federal funding.
     

  • We recommend that candidates attend a few preparation classes before formally applying for candidacy.
     

If I decide to be a candidate, what will I have to do?

  • Candidates for National Board Certification have to provide evidence of accomplished teaching in two ways.

  • Submission of a portfolio that includes four entries designed for the candidates to show evidence that they are meeting the National Board Standards:

  • Two entries, including video tapes of selected portions of lessons, and written analysis of those lessons;

  • One entry, that demonstrates the candidate’s ability to analyze student work over time;

  • One entry, that demonstrates the candidate’s ability to work with parents, community members and colleagues, as a learner, leader and collaborator and evidence of how that those efforts impact student learning.

  • Respond to six, timed, open ended prompts designed for the candidate to demonstrate their depth and breadth of content knowledge.


If I teach in an unusual situation, or if I am a ‘content coach’ (reading, literacy, math, science, for example) or a teacher of gifted students, am I eligible to become a candidate?

  • It depends. The National Board certification is based on your ability to demonstrate accomplished teaching with students over a period of time. Please contact the program coordinator, Rosalie Dibert, dibertr@duq.edu to discuss the specifics of your teaching situation.
     

What does it cost to become a candidate?

  • The total fee for a candidate for National Board Certification is $2565.
    Currently, we have reason to believe that the Federal Government will pay $1250, and that the state of Pennsylvania may pay $1250.
     

  • There is a non-refundable $65 processing fee due at the time of application.
     

How do I apply for the Federal and State fee support funding?

  • First you need to become a candidate. That requires that you pay the processing fee of $65 online. Go to http://www.nbpts.org and apply.
     

  • Save and print the screen that tells you that you have successfully applied. That screen will have your name and some other information, including your candidate I.D. number. You will need copies of that form to apply for the state and federal funding.
     

  • The program coordinator will need a copy of that form, and will apply for you for the state and federal funding.


The National Board website says that I have to pay a $500 non refundable fee. What is that?

  • For candidates in other states that is true, but for candidates in PA, that $500 is included in the part of the fee ($1250) that the state may pay.


What if I attempted and did not achieve certification?

  • Individuals need to contact the program coordinator with the details of their specific situation.


How long does the candidacy take?

  • Like any other quality professional development opportunity, the time required for the candidate to demonstrate proficiency will vary. It is a one to three year process.
     

  • Please see the National Board Q & A Booklet for 2008 certification or the National Board website for specific timeline on the process.
     

Is my certificate permanent?

  • The life of the certification is ten years. A renewal process is available.
     

Candidate Preparation Program


What is the Candidate Preparation Program?

  • It is a series of preparation classes that walk the candidate through and demystify the certification process.
     

If I decide to participate in Duquesne University’s Candidate Preparation Program, do I have to be or promise to become a candidate for National Board Certification?

  • No. The preparation classes are designed to walk interested teachers/state licensed school counselors through the process and give them practice and feedback about their efforts. There is no requirement that participants become candidates at the conclusion of the preparation.


When will the preparation classes be offered?

  • Preparation classes will be offered in the spring and perhaps other times of the year, pending funding. See the list of options for location and times here. Please be aware that class size is limited, so you may not get your first choice.


How many hours of preparation are required?

  • There are 10 three-hour classes that are scheduled over a ten week period.  During the school year, seven of the classes physically meet; three are done on your own.
     

  • Thirty Act 48 hours will be awarded to those who complete all 10 classes.
     

  • The National Board estimates that the process takes approximately 200-400 hours.


Who will teach the preparation classes?

  • The classes will be taught by the program coordinator and several National Board Certified Teachers who have had special training in facilitation.


What topics will be covered in the classes?

  • Five Core Propositions
  • Three kinds of writing
  • National Board Standards
  • Video Taping
  • The Portfolio and Scoring
  • Assessment Center preparation

For further details, please see the National Board website.


Will there be ‘home work’ assignments required during the classes?

  • There will be some required reading in between classes. The three classes that are held online do require written work.
     

After I take the prep classes, what other kinds of support will be available?

  • Teachers/state licensed school counselors who complete the preparation classes will have support opportunities offered to them during their candidacy. That support may be in small groups, online, or one on one, depending on the needs of the candidate.
     

For Additional Information:

 

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