A resolution recognizing and honoring teachers who have earned or maintained National Board Certification.
This is a Senate resolution recognizing and honoring teachers who have earned or maintained National Board Certification (NBC). National Board Certification is a voluntary, rigorous credential process that teachers pursue to demonstrate their ability to advance student learning. The resolution cites research linking NBC to stronger student learning, leadership in schools, and teachers’ ongoing commitment to professional growth. It also notes that many states offer salary incentives for NBC, including several that prioritize such incentives in high-need schools. The bill recounts 2024 NBC statistics (4,355 first-time certificates and 4,884 maintained) and, as of March 2025, a total of 141,464 NBC teachers nationwide. The Senate expresses its purpose to honor NBC teachers and to encourage educators, districts, and states to increase NBC participation and to provide needed incentives and support for NBC candidates. Because this is a resolution (a formal expression of opinion) rather than new law, it does not create legal requirements or funding. Instead, it serves to publicly recognize NBC teachers and to advocate for policies and practices that promote NBC participation and incentives.
Key Points
- 1National Board Certification is described as a rigorous, teacher-developed standard intended to demonstrate the ability to raise student learning and achievement.
- 2Research cited in the resolution claims NBC teachers contribute to higher student learning compared with peers.
- 3NBC teachers are noted for expanding their impact through leadership roles (mentors, principals, administrators, district leaders).
- 4NBC is described by many teachers as their most important ongoing formal education, prioritizing it over other advanced training.
- 5NBC is presented as a resource in addressing pandemic-related learning loss.
- 6State-level incentives: 29 states provide salary incentives for NBC teachers, with 13 prioritizing incentives in high-need schools.
- 72024 NBC metrics: 4,355 teachers earned NBC for the first time; 4,884 renewed/maintained their certification.
- 8As of March 2025, there are 141,464 NBC-certified teachers in the United States.
- 9The Senate resolves to:
- 10- honor teachers who earned or maintained NBC as of March 2025;
- 11- recognize NBC teachers’ contributions to student learning; and
- 12- encourage actions by educators, administrators, school districts, and States to increase NBC recruitment and to provide incentives and support to NBC candidates.