Educator Effectiveness

National Board Certification for Principals

To:	Superintendents and Principals
From:	Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D., Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Date:	August 26, 2010

I am pleased to announce an opportunity for up to 30 principals interested in receiving National Board Certification for Principals (NBCP) to field test the newly developed certification for principals free of charge. The purpose of the NBCP is to recognize accomplished leaders who improve student learning, retain talented teachers, and foster school improvement through engaging parents and the community. The purpose of the field test is to validate the national principal certification process and scoring, and establish the passing standard for achieving certification. 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 directly with the participants throughout the process to ensure that it is accessible, fair, and meaningful; that the content reflects the most essential elements of the National Board Core Propositions for Educational Leaders and 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 the instrument, scoring procedures and study the short-term outcomes of certification for successful participants. To be eligible, a principal must: 1) possess an earned bachelor's degree; 2) have completed three years of experience as a principal; and 3) hold a valid Massachusetts principal license. Participants will receive National Board Certification if their submissions meet certification standards and the field test process is a valid measure of accomplished principal practice. If the principal does not meet the requirements, should National Board policy allow, they may continue candidacy through a second or third year. Successful completion of certification will also earn participants 120 Professional Development Points (PDPs). Final selection of participants will be based solely on two criteria: 1) Principals meet the National Board eligibility requirements; and 2) Principals contribute to fulfilling the field test design for a representative sample. The selection will be made by NBPTS and its outreach partner, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). I have attached an FAQ document. Interested principals should visit www.nbptsprincipals.org to sign up.

Last Updated: August 26, 2010