NCCAT Town Meeting
January 13, 2000

National Board Certification:
Beginning the Process

Stephen: Welcome to another in the series of Teacher Town Meetings. We are live from the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of teaching (NCCAT) in Cullowhee. I am your host, Stephen Sorrell, an Educator-on-Loan with NCCAT. Over the next hour, we hope to answer questions and concerns for teachers who are beginning the National Board Certification (NBC) process. We are fortunate to have two recently National Board Certified teachers with us: Ms. Kathy Corn of Hendersonville and Mr. Dorsey Harris of Elizabeth City. Would you each tell us about yourself?

Dorsey: Five new fields have been added for the 1999-2000 year making 17 fields available for certification. A total of thirty certificates should be available by 2007. At this time I believe that speech therapy is one of those areas.

West Bunc Elem: Where could this list be found of what fields are available for certification?

Dorsey: Currently, the 17 areas that are now up for certification entail 80% of the teaching population.

Dorsey: You can contact NBPTS and NCAE's Center for Teaching and Learning. They can give you the areas.

West Bunc Elem: What is the first step in getting started with National Board Certification?

Kathy: The first thing that you should do is to contact NBPTS to obtain a portfolio or to look at someone's who has been through the process and decide if that is really what you want to do. Then go to informational meetings that should be available in your area. Then think about the time commitment and make your decision. Then you get into making choices that are really part of your portfolio.

Dorsey: This process involves candidates to engage in serious analysis and reflection about their teaching practice as it relates to National Board standards. It is challenging and time-consuming. Perspective candidates should first of all decide if this is the right point in their career to commit. If it is then they must apply to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Begin the preparation process early by collecting student work and teacher accomplishments.

Stephen: You can contact NBPTS at:

National Board of Professional Teaching Standards
26555 Evergreen Road, Suite 400
Southfield, MI 48076
Tel: 1-800-22TEACH or 248-351-4444
Fax: 248-351-4170

Teacher candidates who have specific questions about portfolio or assessment centers exercises may email: info@nbpts.org.  When sending an email request, be sure to provide your mailing address.

Dorsey: Thanks, Stephen.

Kathy: Are you all candidates or thinking about becoming candidates?

West Bunc Elem: Thinking...

Dorsey: I considered becoming a candidate for one year before applying.

West Bunc Elem: What are the components of a portfolio?

Dorsey: There are six components of the portfolio for Early Adolescence/English Language Arts. The first is Students Response to Literature. The second is Students Response to Writing. Third, is Small Class Discussion, Fourth, is Whole Class Discussion. The last two sections of the portfolio entail Professional Collaboration and Family and Community.

Kathy: Each portfolio is different. The early childhood portfolio has six components. A social studies unit that involves the arts. An in depth look at the literacy development of one child in your class. A science unit that involves a twenty minute video. Classroom community is a look at your classroom and has a ten minute video. The professional section involves things that you above and beyond normal expectations in the professional community such as presenting workshops, attending workshops, etc. Then there is another section that wants you to explain how you involve the community and families in your classroom. Then there are four questions that you must answer at the assessment center on areas such as math, science, literacy and children at play.

Stephen: I've looked at several of the portfolio notebooks...there are differences in each, but they seem to all have some components in common: literacy development, another curriculum area, professional/community accomplishments, class management

West Bunc Elem: Do you know what the portfolio requirements are for the special education certification?

Dorsey: We have candidates here at NCCAT who are candidates in special education certification. At this time I cannot answer this question but contact NCAE's Center for Teaching and Learning to get more information on this area.

Kathy: Not exactly. There are people who are just now getting their information. The ones that are here do not have all of their information yet. Contact NBPTS for more information. This is the first year for those candidates to go through the process so it may take a while for everyone to figure out what they are doing.

Stephen: How long will the process take?

Dorsey: The process entails a period of a year with candidates beginning in the fall and submitting portfolios by April. Candidates in new areas have until June to submit completed portfolios. Following this, candidates have a time frame to take assessment tests from May through July.

Kathy: The process takes place over the course of one school year. Order your portfolio early so that you will have time to read and to plan. Then you will have more time to write the portfolio entries and study for the assessment center. The process takes a lot of personal time and school time to finish when you do get started. You need to think about the time commitment before you sign up.

Dorsey: The test is comprised of four one and a half hour tests for a total of six hours of testing in your area. NBPTS sends you information and criteria to study. There are no surprises. It takes preparation for the assessment just like it takes preparation for completing the portfolio.

Kathy: You can order your portfolio as early as June for next school year. It does take a little longer to get the portfolios to NC since there is paper work that must go through Raleigh first to pay the entrance fee and you need to think about that as well. It will take about 6 weeks to get a portfolio when you finally make up your mind.

West Bunc Elem: Is the start-time for beginning any of the certifications in the fall of the year?

Kathy: Yes all of them start at this time so that you will have time to get the information and have time to prepare the needed materials for the portfolios.

Dorsey: Yes, candidates in all areas may begin their process in the fall. New areas have a competition date of June but old areas are April.

West Bunc Elem: So, can you get your materials now for review prior to beginning in the fall?

Kathy: You can order a sample portfolio before by contacting NBPTS. It will cost $25. You can look at someone's from the past year. They might change a little but not by much.

West Bunc Elem: If you are not a member of NCAE, does this make a difference in the certification process here in NC?

Dorsey: Absolutely not, this is open to any educator regardless of membership in NCAE or any other professional association.

Kathy: Not really. NCAE does a lot to support you. They put on several workshops that are very beneficial that are open to anyone but it is either free or may be a fee of $10. Non NCAE members must pay a lot more than that. NCAE also does a lot of lobbying to get benefits for NBC teachers.

Dorsey: The North Carolina Middle School Association, DPI, PENC, and many other professional associations will offer help with this process.

Chowan Middle: Do you recommend working in a collegial group, by yourself, or a combination of these?

Dorsey: I recommend working in a support group. Collaboration is vital to this process.

West Bunc Elem: What fees and costs are involved in the certification process?

Kathy: The state pays the initial fee of $2000 as long as you teach in the state for another year. Then if must retake an area there will be other fee involved.

West Bunc Elem: Who pays for the retake area, the state or the candidate?

Dorsey: The candidate must pay for the retake area.

Kathy: This year the state did pay for one re-take. There is also some grant money available from outside sources.

Dorsey: Some administrators even offer to pay retake fees for those candidates who must bank scores.

Stephen: Dorsey, what do you mean bank scores?

Dorsey: Banking scores is when a candidate saves good scores and retake sections of the portfolio or assessment that they did not score well in. Banking is saving good scores and retaking.

Kathy: If there is an area that you are weak in you can bank all of your scores and retake areas that you are weak in. Then the new score replaces the old one even if it is a lower score.

Stephen: What is considered passing?

Dorsey: A composite score from six portfolio sections and four assessments of 275 is required for passing.

West Bunc Elem: What is the highest score you can achieve?

Kathy: Passing is a composite score of 275 from all ten areas. You can score a 425 in all areas.  Each area is weighted differently.

Hillsborough El Sc: I have to get my teacher who is doing the boards. We had trouble getting connected.

Kathy: Okay! That is fine.

Dorsey: Better late than never.

Hillsborough El Sc: Are we asking questions about Boards or a free for all discussion about boards?

Stephen: We've been talking about the overall process, what it takes to get started in the process, and what to expect along the way.

Stephen: Can I do all of the work at school?

Kathy: You must be willing to work at home as well at school. It will take you approximately 400 hours to get your portfolio prepared and to prepare for the assessment. This is a major life commitment!

Dorsey: Most candidates cannot complete all of the work at school because of the amount of time involved. It takes evening and weekend time so many candidates choose to work at home. I worked better at school. My custodian allowed me to work evenings and weekends and made my building accessible to me whenever I needed to work.

Stephen: What did you find took the most time?

Dorsey: Expect a process which requires a total commitment. It is a yearlong reflection and analysis process that can be the most rewarding experience you have ever received as an educator.

Kathy: It took me a long time to get the portfolio entries in a form that was acceptable to me and that I felt would be acceptable to NBPTS. You must re-write, re-write then edit over and over again to get it polished.

Hillsborough El Sc: Suggestions for preparing for the assessment center?

Stephen: Hillsborough, where are you in the process?

Dorsey: I suggest not worrying about the assessment until your portfolio is sent in. After this, take some time to recuperate. Then you should start preparing for the assessment. NBPTS will send you stimulus materials to study. Again, as with the portfolio preparation, study with others and collaborate.

Hillsborough El Sc: I just completed building a classroom community, including the video and write up. Colleagues are currently reading and giving feedback. Ditto for math. I am re-writing the writing section because even I didn't like it. It usually is hard for me to revise and edit my own work. I have a few helpful readers here.

Kathy: The assessment takes a long time. You must prepare for each entry. Take careful notes and either outline or write the answers using the sample question you receive from NBPTS. It will not be on the same topic listed in the book but it gives you an idea. Prepare for all possible areas in each question. Take your time and be very thorough!

Dorsey: Casey says hello to Chowan.

Stephen: Casey says you need a new camera, Chowan

Chowan Middle: We agree about the camera ... trying to keep the questions flowing for Dorsey! And hello to Casey. Is the rest of the Chowan "crowd" with you?

Dorsey: Not now they are not. Chowan brings a hint of class to us. You're the best.

Chowan Middle: What suggestions do you have for videotaping a lesson?

Dorsey: It is must be twenty minutes of uninterrupted and unedited time of video. The instructions should be specific in your portfolio. Have a mike that makes the sound audible.

Dorsey: Some NBCTs will tell you to video, video, video. I only videotaped a few times and used one of them.

West Bunc Elem: How many videotaped sessions do you have to submit?

Kathy: Make lots and lots of videos. This will help you and the children to feel comfortable with the process. You will need to use a microphone in most applications for good sound quality. Also, allow the children to explore and learn through inquiry if you are an EC- GEN. Don't lead everything!

Kathy: You have two tapes, one in science that is 20 minutes and one in your classroom community that is 10 minutes.

Mt. Pleasant Elemen: I just did my Math video this week - 3 times - 1st time for practice, 2nd time for real - ended up with great video but NO SOUND - 3rd time finally got both video and sound.

Kathy: Doing a video three times is very common. I know I did several lessons in small groups so that I would have multiple attempts at getting a quality lesson on tape!

Dorsey: Hi, Mt. Pleasant.

Mt. Pleasant Elemen: One of the hardest things about doing the video was not calling students by name.

Kathy: You can call children by name. Just don't call them by their first and last names. It is normal to call them by names or they will not know who you are talking to.

Dorsey: I did call my students by their first names. I said that Eric works better with Andre. I did not use last names.

Dorsey: It is good advice for Early Adolescence teachers to make contracts with middle grades students before videotaping. Be honest with your students and tell them why they are being videotaped.

Hillsborough El Sc: My experience about being honest: My students became very interested and really wanted to do their best for my BIG project. When three teachers at our school got word of certification, I told my kids. Now they know people who went through what I am currently going through.

West Bunc Elem: What do you do about the confidentiality issues of videotaping students?

Kathy: You must have them to complete the permission forms. If you do not have their form then you cannot have them on the screen but maybe they can run the camera or do something else during that time.

Dorsey: I sent home permission slips for parents and other adult caregivers to sign to have students videotaped. If the parent did not sign I did not video the student.

Hillsborough El Sc: West Buncombe, how many of you are going through this process?

West Bunc Elem: There is one teacher going through this process currently. Several others are considering.

Chowan Middle: Other than NBCTs, who would you suggest reading a candidate's entry for content, grammar, etc.?

Kathy: Anyone you can get who is willing to take the time to read 10 pages of writing. Just don't throw the whole thing out if they question something that you know you must have in there.

Dorsey: I used friends who are very literate, good writers, and excellent editors. One of my friends who use to edit for a publishing company edited my work. Another editor was a science teacher who is an excellent writer. Of course I used other candidates and certified teachers.

Mt. Pleasant Elemen: When I did my video for building classroom communities - I broke my lesson into 3 segments (MC-GEN)

Kathy: I don't know about the MC-GEN video. Our video had to be in one piece. You could not stop in the middle and could not have any editing. Check your directions for clarification.

Stephen: We have 10 minutes left in our meeting...what other questions/concerns do you have?

Hillsborough El Sc: The MC Gen video cannot have any breaks in the midst of the 15 minutes for classroom community and 20 min for the math. Please double check the times for each. But I know you can't do breaks in the middle.

Mt. Pleasant Elemen: It is in one piece - I have three 15 minute segments so I can chose which one I want to use.

Kathy: Now try to get the one that shows your children interacting and the type of classroom the meets the Standards that are part of that section.

Mt. Pleasant Elemen: My original math video is 40 minutes- It is my understanding I can select any "whole" 20 minute section- Is that right?

Hillsborough El Sc: That's what I did Mt. Pleasant. Are you MC Gen?

Mt. Pleasant Elemen: Yes- working on it.

Chowan Middle: Signing off! Thanks for all the comments and the support. We'll see our NCCAT colleagues on Tuesday!

Stephen: Thanks for taking part Chowan!

West Bunc Elem: Is there anyone going through the special Special Ed certification now who would mind being contacted for information?

Kathy: There are two candidates here but they are not with us at this time.

Stephen: Special Ed is a new area of certification, so no one has been through the full process yet.

Dorsey: The Special Ed candidates are working diligently on their portfolios.

Stephen: What do you think are the 3 most important things for candidates to consider as they work through the National Board Certification process?

Dorsey: The three most important things to consider in undertaking the process is read and understand the standards, create at timeline and adhere to it, and collaborate with other professionals and candidates who are going through the process. Don't forget to collaborate with certified teachers.

Kathy: In every area, the main thing to do when you get started is to read your directions very carefully. Then you need to know standards in great detail. Read the standards!! That is so important.

Dorsey: Contact the NCAE Center for Teaching and Learning.

Dorsey: Everyone should try to get on the NBC NCAE Listserv. It is a chance for collaboration and for questions to be answered on NBC.

Kathy: You need to find support. Try to find someone to go through the process with you. If you cannot find someone, contact NCAE or come to NCCAT and make a friend you can work with. You will get loads of support from both groups!

Hillsborough El Sc: How does one do this?

Dorsey: Go to NCAE.org and there is a link to sign in.

Hillsborough El Sc: Thanks for all the support. Wish us luck!

Stephen: Any concluding thoughts?

Kathy: We wish anyone luck who is willing to try the process. It takes guts to even sign the paper and start the process. You should proud of yourself!

Mt. Pleasant Elemen: Stephen - when will this transcript be available - I missed the beginning.

Stephen: The transcript should be available within a week at the Teachers Connect site – http://www.teachers-connect.net – click on Town Meetings then click on Archives.

Dorsey: This has been a wonderful experience for me. I am enjoying working with candidates here at NCCAT and in my area to help them. I owe it to the children of this state because of all the help I received in getting certified. NCCAT is one of the best ideas to ever come to our state. Also, North Carolina offers the best financial reward for becoming certified of any state in the US

Kathy: Just remember when you go through the process to take your time. Be thorough. Read your standards. Have a support network. Try your best!

Dorsey: Because I am thorough, I spent approximately 500 hours on the process, which does not include preparation for the assessment. A friend of mine who also passed spent less than 200 hours.

Stephen: Kathy and Dorsey, on behalf of Teachers Connect and NCCAT, I'd like to thank you for your time and expertise today. I'd like to thank our teachers across the state that took their time to be a part of this Town Meeting.

Dorsey: Hi T County.

Mt. Pleasant Elemen: Good luck- everyone- Bye- maybe I'll see some of you at NCCAT. Bye.