Eighty-five teachers recently joined the ranks of those earning the profession's highest standard — National Board Certification.

"In a state that is widely known for the professionalism, dedication and skill of its teaching force, these teachers are standard-bearers," NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi said. "They have voluntarily participated in a rigorous credentialing process and are being rightly recognized for their accomplishments."

A highly regarded symbol of teaching excellence, National Board Certification directly benefits children in the classroom. Teachers who achieve national certification must demonstrate: mastery of teaching, the effect of their teaching on student performance, subject-area knowledge, an ability to manage and measure student learning and to reach out to parents and the community.

The credential is granted through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira, a member of the NBPTS Board, said the intense, voluntary board-certification process — which takes most candidates 200 to 400 hours and more than a year to complete — is an effective strategy for helping to close the achievement gap.

"Quality teaching, the use of 'best practice' in the classroom and collaboration between teachers and the administration are essential ingredients to ending the achievement gap," Neira said.

Reports released by the NBPTS show more than half of all board-certified New Yorkers work in Title I schools. And while the number of New York teachers successfully completing the process is increasing — 779 have achieved national certification — the Empire State still lags behind other states that offer a statewide incentive. Fewer than 1 percent of New York teachers are National Board Certified, compared to nearly 14 percent in North Carolina.

In New York, however, individual unions have been making strides in negotiating collective bargaining agreements that recognize the achievement. At least 93 districts offer incentives, including release time to candidates undergoing the process and stipends to those who achieve the certification.

"School districts that recognize the value of having nationally certified teachers are beginning to reap the benefits," Neira said. "We are starting to see concentrations of nationally certified teachers in Schenectady and other places that offer local incentives. The result is that these districts are seeing increased success in their efforts to raise student achievement."

Neira noted the Schenectady Federation of Teachers, led by President Juliet Benaquisto, and the district negotiated a $4,000 stipend to be paid to all National Board Certified teachers. The district also provides release time for candidates to work toward national certification and encourages professional development for all teachers.

Led by 87 members of the United Federation of Teachers in New York City, the five districts with the largest number of nationally certified teachers are: Rochester (31), Niskayuna, Schenectady County (22), Schenectady (22) and Arlington, Dutchess County (21).

NYSUT assists national board candidates by offering awareness programs, support and advice through online discussion forums, and conferences and professional development through the union's Education & Learning Trust. The union also works with teacher centers to support candidates.

NYSUT's national affiliates, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, collaborated on a "Guide to Understanding National Board Certification: 2008 Candidacy Cycle." The guide is available online at http://www.aft.org/ and http://www.nea.org/.

— Clarisse Butler Banks