Alabama Ranks 13th Nationally In Board-Certified Teachers

Associated Press
Published: December 5, 2007
Updated: December 5, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Alabama is now ranked 13th nationally in the number of board certified teachers in the state, with 226 more educators earning the designation this year.

The state now has 1,329 teachers who have achieved National Board Certification, and the 226 successful applicants in 2007 marked an increase of about 33 percent from last year.

National Board Certification is a voluntary program that requires candidates to pass subject-matter assessments and submit a portfolio that includes videotapes of classroom instruction and assessments of student work.

Only about 40 percent of first-time candidates achieve certification and the rigorous process can take up to three years.

A spokesman for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards said there are nearly 64,000 certified teachers in the country.

The board released the new certification figures yesterday.

In Alabama, teachers who are certified receive a yearly $5,000 salary supplement and some school systems offer an additional stipend.