Testimony in Support of Senate Bill 57
Education – Teachers – State and Local Aid Program for Certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee
January 31, 2007
2:00 P.M.
Vera Loyd
Maryland State Teachers Association
The Maryland State Teachers Association strongly supports this legislation, which would increase the maximum number of teachers eligible for the state and local aid to pursue National Board Certification. Further, it would provide assistance to teachers who are renewing their National Board Certification credential, as well as those who may need to retake the test for this certification.
This bill will be a valuable tool for improving teacher retention. Teachers who commit to pursuing National Board Certification are not just working to improve their delivery of instruction in the classroom, but are also making a long-term commitment to teaching.
National Board Certified teachers fulfill the US DOE definition of “highly qualified,” as outlined in the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and they are assets to their students, colleagues and communities. At a time when more pressures are being placed on teachers to improve student achievement, National Board Certification ensures that our teachers deliver the best instruction in the classrooms, positively impact student academic achievement, and play key roles in turning around low-performing schools.
The MSTA strongly urges a favorable report on this bill.
