Teachers~ National Board????

Just wondering if there was anyone else out there pursuing National Board Certification? I'm re-doing 3 entries, and it needs to be in the mail by Tuesday. Needless to say, I've had WAY too many things going on to make this the priority it should've been. I'll be up VERY late tonight, took tomorrow off because of 2 dr. appt's (the diabetic educator and my normal appt.), so I'll be working around the appt's. At this point, I just HOPE to complete it!

Amy

is this the same as taking the CSET? Proving that you are highly qualified?

mine are the praxis and i hated taking them. i wish you luck

National certification or state? I am only certified in Texas.

One of my best friends just mailed hers off Friday! Unfortunately, she didn't pass last year (by 2 points!) so she had to re-do 2 pieces. I've been through it twice, so I feel your pain!

I hope it all goes well for you! Here in KY, there is a large pay increase. I forget what the one time bonus is but I know the salary goes up about $300 per month. The state also reimburses you all of the cost of the program.

This is different from the CSET and the praxis. It consists of 4 "portfolio" entries (which are papers anywhere from about 12-20 pages and 2 video tapes of lessons) and 6 half-hour computerized tests. If you achieve it, you are nationally certified and it's good for 10 years.

JamaicaBride~ Did you go through it twice yourself too- or talking about your bf's experience?

In the state of IL, once you certify you get a $3000 check once a year every July. The state paid for a lot of it the first year, and this year paid for one re-take ($350). My generous mother paid for the other 2 ($700). If I did a good job on 2, I should be fine. My mom said she'd paid for them, so when I found out the state would cover 1, I decided to do 3. You need to score a 275, and I got a 239. But, like I said, I have had WAY too much going on- getting ready for the baby, dealing with Gestational Diabetes, swelling ankles, etc. I also planned for the last weeks of school, in case I can't make it the whole time.

It really sucks though, because you get NO feedback! I've been looking at my entries from last year, and I think they sound pretty darn good! So it's very frustrating not knowing exactly what they want, and what I did wrong!

Amy

I didn't go through it myself, but I did read and re-read each paper about 15 times! LOL I also volunteer at her school, so I knew each of the students she was talking about.

It's so hard because the questions are so vague and a lot of times you feel like you say the same thing over again! Also their guidelines are so strict! Measuring each page for the correct margin with a ruler, all of the paperwork! I guess it is better than going for the extra Masters classes though!

I took the praxis 7 times. well at least one part. I kept missing it my 1-4 points. I was determined to pass it. I did and now I am trying to write my essay for my doctorate I'll trade places with you

Amy good for you, I don't plan on doing national boards but you never know. I need to finish my masters but pregnancy and life just really has put that on hold.

In my district I don't know if its really worth it, the pay per year is not a whole lot for national boards, but they too will pay for you to go through it.

Drea, the cset is only in CA actually the rest of the country pretty much uses the praxis, I passed the praxis my first time, so maybe I am a good test taker, perhaps I should consider the national boards.