Oklahoma Entices Over 2,599 Teachers to Become National Board Certified Then Takes Away $5000 per year Incentive

Currently, Oklahoma ranks ninth in the nation with over 2,599 National Board Certified teachers.

www.ok.gov/octp/National_Board_Certification

Education Leadership Oklahoma (ELO) is a challenge to Oklahoma teachers to participate and complete a process enabling them to reach the highest standards of their field - National Board Certification.
 

Administered by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation, ELO funds candidate support for Oklahoma educators seeking National Board Certification.

National Board Certification establishes the highest standards for a teacher to be judged by their peers as one who is accomplished, makes sound judgments about student learning, and acts effectively on those judgments. The ELO project seeks these qualities when choosing applicants to receive the grant provided for by the State Legislature to proceed with the National Board Certification Process.

National Board Certification gives teachers a greater sense of accomplishment. The Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation encourages teachers to show their dedication to education through this tremendous opportunity.
For more information on national certification link to: www.nbpts.org

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Teacher bonuses among items cut by Oklahoma education board
tulsaworld.com
By Associated Press
Published: 6/23/2011 3:21 PM
Last Modified: 6/23/2011 3:21 PM

OKLAHOMA CITY — Funding for bonuses for National Board-certified teachers at Oklahoma schools are among items cut in a budget approved by the state Board of Education.


By a 4-3 vote, the board on Thursday approved the public school activities portion of the state's education budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. State Superintendent Janet Barresi, who led the proposal's development, cast the tie breaking vote.

(Damn it, Janet!)

The $401 million activities budget includes full funding for health benefits for teachers and support staff and for state payments into the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma.

The state won't provide the $5,000 bonus for National Board-certified teachers but will encourage local districts to do so.

Barresi said Oklahoma's ongoing state budget woes forced the state Department of Education to make "heartbreaking" choices concerning funding levels.

By Associated Press
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Brown: Not funding National Board teacher bonuses breaks promise
August 30th, 2011 · No Comments · Executive Branch, House

A Democratic lawmaker from Tahlequah wants the legislature to ensure that money is set aside each year to fund bonuses for teachers who undergo the demanding process of attaining National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification each year.

“We made a commitment to these teachers that if they would show beyond normal criteria, that it would work basically the same as merit pay, yet we renege on it,” Rep. Mike Brown said Tuesday.

At its June meeting, a split State Board of Education took several cost-cutting steps, including not funding the $5,000 certified-teacher bonuses, excising about $12 million from its budget.

“We have proven that we educate some of the best teachers in the nation, yet with programs like we’re doing now, it’s going to be hard to retain those teachers,” Brown said.

Brown has pre-filed HB 2186 for the 2012 legislative session. He said the funding mechanism would be similar to that for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, money for which is carved out of state collections and separated from other budgetary needs.

“It’s paid off the top, basically,” Brown said.

Article continues at journalrecord.com