Strategic Priority 3 - Goal 3
Objective
Increase the number of educators pursuing National Board Certification to improve instructional practices.
Measure
Recruitment of new, initial National Board Certification (NBC) scholarship candidates and submissions of all four components for NBC.
By 2029, HCPSS will increase the number of educators pursuing and successfully completing NBC. This includes a focus on increasing the representation of educators from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds among NBC candidates.
Equity commitment
HCPSS will support the participation of educators from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds in the National Board Certification (NBC) process. Data will be disaggregated by race/ethnicity and by school building to identify any disparities in access to and completion of the NBC program.
Annual Targets
Percent eligible* educators newly starting National Board Certification application (1st year, initial candidates)
| 2024 Actual | 2025 Target | 2026 Target | 2027 Target | 2028 Target | 2029 Target | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All eligible educators | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 9% | 10% |
| Eligible educators of color | 7% | 7% | 8% | 8% | 9% | 10% |
*Eligibility = Tenured teachers as of the end of the prior school year who have not started nor achieved NBC.
Percent candidates* who submitted National Board Certification application in full (all four components)
| 2024 Actual | 2025 Target | 2026 Target | 2027 Target | 2028 Target | 2029 Target | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All candidates | 42% | 42% | 43% | 43% | 44% | 44% |
| Candidates of color | 40% | 41% | 42% | 43% | 44% | 44% |
*Candidate = Teachers who are in their second year or beyond of starting the NBC process.
Why was this measure selected?
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future aims to increase the quality and diversity of teachers and leaders by raising the status of the teaching profession. It encourages professional development through a performance-based Career Ladder. Advancement up the ladder is based on the acquisition of specific knowledge and skills, rigorous evidence of success as a classroom teacher, and willingness to take on leadership responsibilities. Teacher salary progression and classroom performance will be linked to teacher achievement of NBC.
How were targets set?
HCPSS aims to maintain current support levels in these initial years of enhancing the NBC program, including recruitment and support efforts, while focusing efforts in increasing opportunity and access for eligible educators of color to pursue, submit, and achieve NBC.