Principal Candidate FAQ

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 field test?
The purpose of the field test is to validate the national principal certification process and scoring. During the field test, which will occur from August 2010 to June 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. Field 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 field 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.

Participation in the field test is free of charge. If the field test process shows the assessment is a valid evaluation of accomplished principal practice, participants will receive national board certification if their submissions meet certification standards. If principals do not meet the requirements, should National Board policy allow, they may continue their candidacy through a second year.

Leaders in each field test state are working toward establishing incentives for completing the field test, such as awarding professional learning units that can be used toward license or certificate renewal and/or awarding graduate credit from local universities. Many states are evaluating the addition of accomplished principal designations to their tiered principal licensure systems. These designations are meant to distinguish accomplished principals who possess the characteristics, skills, and dispositions described in the NBPTS National Board Accomplished Principal Standards.

How can participation in the field test 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.

Who is eligible to participate in the field test for national principal certification?
To be eligible, principals must meet these requirements: 1) possess an earned bachelor's degree; 2) have completed three years of experience as a principal (not an assistant principal or principal intern); 3) hold a valid state principal license or certificate as required by the state in which they work as principals; and 4) currently preside as principal of a school.

How will participants be selected?
Participants will be selected by SREB to ensure that there is a balance sample of principals across a range of states, school types, years of experience, and principal characteristics. Selected principals will be notified by email on a rolling basis from August 10 through September 30, 2010.

What is the process principals will complete during the field test?
The certification process is comprised of a series of assignments, or "performance entries," that assess accomplished principal school practices, specifically those thought to most impact student learning, achievement, and school effectiveness. To meet the requirements of these entries, principals will engage in a range of tasks, including data analysis, written reflections, video analysis, and interviews. All entries will be submitted electronically and scored by a panel of practicing principals at the appropriate developmental levels. Participants will need access to a computer and a high-speed Internet connection to successfully complete and submit entries.

What is expected of field test participants in terms of time commitment?
The field test will be conducted over an 18-month period. Entries will be completed between September 2010 and June 2012.