Testimony in Support of Senate Bill 58
Study Commission to Explore the Expanded Application of State Stipends for National Certification of Teachers
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 supports Senate Bill 58, which would create a task force to examine the rigor of National Board Certification for additional categories of public school employees. The task force will also make a recommendation as to whether the stipends currently awarded to teachers should be expanded to include the teachers who certify in these additional areas.
This bill is important because it recognizes that the teacher is not the only person who has an impact on student academic achievement. All of the various specialists who are certificated and work with the students to address their needs, as well as the teachers who deliver direct instruction, are essential to maintaining the supportive and collaborative environment that allows students to reach their fullest potential. The role of each specialist, in collaboration with the teacher, becomes even more crucial as we implement high standards of achievement for our students and increasingly seek to measure their success on standardized tests.
This bill not only promotes fairness and equity, but also collegiality among teachers and specialists, which helps them better address the needs of the students in a constructive and effective manner.
We urge a favorable report on this bill.
