Survey Maps Alumni Awareness of National Board Certification
76% respondents are unaware of new online MA in Teaching program with NBCT Specialization
Close to eight in ten School of Education alumni (77 percent) are aware of National Board certification, according to a survey in the previous School of Education Newswire regarding National Board certification programs and reimbursement. Nearly the same percentage, however, are unaware of a new degree program in the School of Education that prepares teachers for certification or offers them graduate level credit as they prepare.
Survey data indicates that 23 percent of the respondents are interested in pursuing National Board Certification, and that 28 percent work in school districts which would provide partial or full reimbursement for the expenses.
National Board Certification is a voluntary process, requiring a rigorous performance-based assessment that can take from one to three years to complete. Once achieved, it is considered a mark of teaching excellence. Last year's new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in California included 26 National University alumni and seven National University students from 17 school districts, accounting for 11 percent of the statewide total.
Only one in four (24 percent) of respondents were aware that National University now offers an online Master of Arts in Teaching program with NBCT specialization. Close to nine in 10 respondents weren't aware that the University offers a fee assistance program for enrollees in that program.
By an almost two-to-one margin, survey respondents said they would like to participate in activities sponsored and promoted by the National University NBCT Support and Leadership Center. For more information regarding the Center, contact Rae Adams at radams@nu.edu.