The Fund’s National Board Certification Incentives

National Board Certification (NBC) is the teaching profession’s highest credential. A recent, multi-year, multimillion-dollar, Congressionally-mandated study showed that NBC Teachers improve student achievement at a higher level than their peers – especially among low-income, minority students. Before The Fund made its first investment in support of NBC, teachers who voluntarily invested the energy, skill and time required to earn NBC often received no more than a handshake as a reward. From 2000 to2008, The Fund provided a $2,000 incentive to CPS teachers who achieved NBC and larger rewards -up to $30,000 – for schools where teams of teachers achieved NBC. Today, the collective bargaining agreement includes a $1,875 annual salary bump for NBC Teachers, and NBC Teachers are eligible for a state stipend of up to $3,000 per year, based on available funding.

Impact

• The Fund’s unprecedented incentive program attracted additional dollars to the table — the Illinois State Board of Education matched our individual rewards, offering $3,000 for each NBC Teacher for the life of the certificate.