General Information

What is the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards?
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is an organization recognized in all 50 states for advancing the quality of teaching and learning by developing professional standards for accomplished educators; creating and administering National Board Certification, an evidence-based voluntary assessment program to certify educators who meet those standards; and integrating certified educators into education reform efforts. Earning national principal certification indicates a high level of skill, practice, and dedication to student learning and achievement through school leadership. As leadership becomes more recognized on a national scale as essential to school success, the attention paid to such a credential will only continue to increase.

Why should there be a National Board Certification for Principals?
The purpose of the NBPTS principal certification is to recognize accomplished school leaders who improve student learning, retain talented teachers, and foster school involvement among parents and the community. A national certification for principals will help build prestige for the profession and for professionals. It will recognize and increase retention among school leaders. The National Board initiative will be the first national certification for accomplished principals and is the first phase of an expanded National Board Certification for Educational Leaders, ultimately to include assistant principals and teacher leaders. Its process and development is based on the Board's highly successful National Board Certification for Teachers.

What is the purpose of the national principal certification pilot test?
The purpose of the pilot is to further validate the national principal certification process and scoring. During the pilot, which will occur from June 2011 through December 2012, a national sample of principals will participate in the certification process. NBPTS will work with the participants throughout the process to ensure that it is accessible, fair, and meaningful for participants; that the content reflects the most essential elements of the NBPTS Accomplished Principal Standards; and that the tasks can be completed within a reasonable timeframe and without undue burden to principals. Pilot test results will be used to fine-tune the accuracy of scoring procedures and study the short-term outcomes of certification for successful participants.

How will participation in the pilot test benefit principals?
The six required entries for certification were defined and developed by a panel of distinguished principal practitioners and nationally-respected researchers convened by NBPTS. Their charge was to capture the types of skills, practices, and leadership behaviors that research suggests are associated with healthy school cultures, strong classroom instruction, and engaged student learning, leading to high levels of teaching and learning. Principals will have an opportunity to reflect on their leadership practice against the NBPTS Accomplished Principal Standards. Principals currently participating in the field test began completing these entries in September of 2010. Many have reported significant benefits to their participation, in that, they are reflecting on areas of practice which were not previously a focus for them, and have grown in their professional knowledge and skills.

How can participation in the certification process benefit your school community?
Principals will undergo learning and reflection that research suggests can lead to improved practice throughout the schools. Elements of the certification process involve all stakeholders in the school community, including teachers, students, parents, and community members at large, with a focus on demonstrating and building effectiveness and efficacy among them.