On August 9, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation that provides support for and encourages Illinois educators who are employed in Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) Tier 1 rural and remote districts to pursue National Board Certification. Teachers in these school districts would receive a one-time incentive of $3,000 for becoming National Board Certified. In addition, eligible public school teachers would receive a $1,900 fee subsidy that assists in earning National Board Certification beginning in the 2019–2020 school year. Legislation will go into effect on January 1, 2020.
State Sen. Andy Manar sponsored this bipartisan legislation and negotiated a 50 percent increase in funding for National Board Certified teachers through the National Board Resource Center at Illinois State University. “These new laws are another step in the right direction as we fight to recruit and retain qualified teachers in Illinois,” Manar said. The NBRC at Illinois State is directed by the Illinois State Board of Education to oversee the National Board program for the state of Illinois.
The National Board process allows teachers to reflect and improve upon their practice as they demonstrate evidence towards rigorous National Board Standards. Research shows that students of National Board Certified Teachers learn more than than their peers. Educators interested in pursuing National Board Certification can find more information at NBPTS.org.
