For the second consecutive year, Washington has the largest group of new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs), according to numbers released today by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

A total of 946 Washington teachers achieved their certification this year, which nearly doubles last year’s first-place ranking of 516 new NBCTs. That maintains the state’s fourth-place, nationwide, in the total number of NBCTs (8,285).

“The National Board certification process promotes teacher leadership,” said Randy Dorn, superintendent of public instruction. “The commitment these teachers have made to their profession is an integral part of raising the quality of teaching in Washington and making a difference students can feel in the classroom.”

Washington by the numbers

Number of new NBCTs in 2014: 946 (national rank: 1st)

Total number of NBCTs: 8,285 (national rank: 4th)

Washington has 12 of the top 30 school districts in the nation for new NBCTs.34.2% (324) of new NBCTs teach in “challenging schools.”

Fourteen percent of teachers are NBCTs.

Forty-five percent of new NBCTs teach in STEM fields

Six schools have 30 or more NBCTS: Tahoma Senior High School (Tahoma), Interlake Senior High School (Bellevue), Mariner High School (Mukilteo), Newport Senior High School (Bellevue), Mount Vernon High School (Mount Vernon), Sammamish Senior High School (Bellevue).

Washington’s investment in the National Board program is critical to its success. The state’s conditional loan program helps candidates pay for the cost of certification. Loans are repaid using the bonuses teachers earn after becoming certified. Half of these new NBCTs participated in the loan program and will pay back $506,000 into the revolving fund so that money can be made available to new candidates.

A joint effort led by the Office of the Governor, the Washington Education Association, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession, as well as to broad bipartisan support in the state Legislature, has led to a rapid increase in NBCTs in Washington.

Gov. Jay Inslee acknowledged the dedication of the new NBCTs. “Congratulations to all of this year’s newly certified teachers,” Inslee said. “Washington’s National Board Certified Teachers are doing outstanding work in some of our highest need schools and in STEM, and have really set the standard for what outstanding teaching looks like.”

Top 10 school districts* in Washington with new NBCTs

Seattle (77)
Spokane (51)
Bellevue (48)
Evergreen (46)
Kent (36)
Issaquah (31)
Lake Washington (30)
Federal Way (26)
Bellingham (25)
Highline (22)

*These districts rank nationally in the top 30 districts with new NBCTs.

“The number of new National Board Certified Teachers in Washington highlights our commitment to quality public education and the success of every child. We are proud to provide the resources and support our teachers need to be successful,” said Kim Mead, president of the Washington Education Association (WEA). “Congratulations to everyone who participated in this very difficult process.”

Board certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards requires teachers to submit a four-part portfolio and a six-exercise content and pedagogy assessment. The 10 entries document a teacher’s success in the classroom as evidenced by his or her students’ learning. The portfolio is then assessed by a national panel of peers.

“NBCTs are accomplished teachers who have demonstrated their outstanding work in the classroom and through contribution and dedication to the profession,” said Nasue Nishida, executive director at the Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession. “Growing and reflecting on their practice for the educational benefit of K–12 students is what the National Board experience is all about.”