The Fund’s National Board Certification Incentives
Investment: $2,450,000
Years: 2000-2008
National Board Certification (NBC) is the highest credential in the teaching profession. Teachers who achieve it successfully complete a rigorous, performance–based assessment process that requires them to demonstrate excellence. A recent, multi–year, multi–million dollar, Congressionally–mandated study showed that NBC Teachers improve student achievement at a higher level than their peers – especially among low–income, minority students.
Before The Fund made its first investment in support of NBC, teachers who voluntarily invested the energy, skill and time required to earn NBC often got no more than a handshake as a reward. We created a first–of–its–kind incentive for teachers who achieve. From 2000–2008 The Fund provided $2,000 incentive to CPS teachers who achieved NBC and larger rewards (up to $30,000) for schools where teams of teachers achieve.
While The Fund no longer offers this incentive, through our strategic partnerships we helped build financial rewards for NBC Teachers right into the system. The Chicago Teachers Union and CPS negotiated a $1,750 annual salary bump in the collective bargaining agreement for NBC Teachers. In addition, NBC Teachers are eligible for a state stipend of up to $3,000 per year (based on available funding).