Sunday, January 8, 2012, all 5,153 National Board CertifiedTeachers in Illinois were informed that the State Legislature cutall funding for their annual stipends.
The message they received stated, Public Act 097-0607 haseliminated the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program (ITEP) annualstipend for Illinois “Master certificate holders”.
This translates into a $3000 annual pay cut for each of theseteachers, and, for those nearing retirement, a pay cut for the restof their lives. Moreover, this act removes a significant incentivefor future teachers to undergo the rigorous training needed forNational Board Certification.
The NBCT program has been widely studied and applauded for all ithas accomplished. All data testify that National Board CertifiedTeachers are among the finest in the State and Nation; they are thebest of the best; they are the teachers you and I want for ourchildren.
Testimony on the impact of National Board Certification on teacherpractice on schools and independent testimony on the impact ofNational Board Certification on student achievement clearlyunderscore the achievements of the NBCT program and itsteachers:
n National Board Certification has had a positive impact on studentachievement, teacher retention and professional development.(National Research Council)
n National Board Certified teachers consistently outperform theirpeers in knowledge of subject matter, ability to adapt instructionand ability to create challenging and engaging lessons: (L. Bond,University of North Carolina, Greensboro)
n National Board Certification is more effective and cost-effectivethan other professional development methods: (C. Cohen, The FinanceProject)
n National Board Certified teachers demonstrate greater influenceon teacher mentoring, leadership, team-building, professionaldevelopment and evaluation, curriculum development, efficacy andoverall school leadership: (M. Freund, George WashingtonUniversity; T. Petty, University of North Carolina, ChapelHill)
n National Board Certification distinguishes more effectiveteachers with respect to student achievement. (National ResearchCouncil)
n Students of NBCTs score 7 to 15 percentage points higher onyear-end tests than students of non-NBCTs. NBCTs were particularlyeffective with minority students:
(D. Goldhaber, University of Washington)
n In 48 comparisons (4 grades, 4 years of data, 3 measures ofacademic performance), students of NBCTs surpassed students ofnon-NBCTs in almost three-quarters of the comparisons. The learninggains were equivalent (on average) to spending about an extra monthin school: (L. Vandevoort, Arizona State University)
n More math NBCTs helped their students achieve greater testinggains in 9th and 10th grades than their non-certifiedcolleagues-demonstrating particular benefits among special needsstudents and African-American and Hispanic students (L. Cavalluzzo,The CNA Corporation)
n Students of NBCTs exhibit deeper learning outcomes morefrequently than students of non-NBCTs. (T. Smith, Appalachian StateUniversity)
At the same time, “…a landmark new research paper underscoresthat the difference between a strong teacher and a weak teacherlasts a lifetime. Having a good fourth-grade teacher makes astudent more likely to go to college and less likely to getpregnant as a teenager.
Each of the students will go on as an adult to earn, on average,$25,000 more over a lifetime — or about $700,000 in gains for anaverage size class – all attributable to that ace teacher back inthe fourth grade. That’s right: A great teacher is worth hundredsof thousands of dollars to each year’s students, just in the extraincome they will earn.”
nytimes.com/2012/01/12/opinion/kristof-the-value-of-teachers.html?_r=1&emc=eta1.
Thus the economic impact of National Board Certified Teachers tothe State is enormous. The positive effects National BoardCertified Teachers have on K-12 education, families, and economics,and on the entire educational enterprise of the State is trulyexceptional.
Given the proven value and achievements of the NBCT program and itscontinued promise to enhance the lives and economy of the people ofIllinois, it appears that the decision to cut support for NationalBoard Certified Teachers in Illinois was seriously misinformed andmust be corrected.
State funding for Illinois’ teachers who have achieved this levelof expertise must be restored, both as a tangible acknowledgementof our value of excellence in public education and for all thechildren and families that will continue to benefit.
Moreover, it is a proven excellent investment for the people andeconomy of Illinois.
I urge you to contact Governor Pat Quinn, your State Senator andRepresentative, The Illinois Board of Education, regional and localschool superintendents, and your local school board to enlist theirsupport for fully funding the National Board Certified Teachers ofIllinois. Yes, the State’s economy needs fixing, but not at theexpense of the education of our children and the economic future ofthe State.
If Illinois has funds to placate industries, bolster the bottomlines of corporations, and spend billions of dollars oninfrastructure, it must also have the resources to invest in ourfuture, in the education of our children.
Support for public education and the proven mechanisms of promotingexcellent education must be a priority, not just an election-yearslogan.
Kaufman is an emeritus professor at the University of Illinoisin Urbana.
We'll not mystify Toefl. The TOEFL test format will likely be based upon your TOEFL test center.
Have that person evaluate your readiness to take the test. We won't make amazing sums of money as though there are a number of designs to accomplish that. The speaking section is similar to the listening section except that speaking allows the test evaluators to determine the level of verbal skills of a student. For qualification, primarily based on the requirements enforced upon by the institution that they're applying for, examinees should reach a particular score for every examination. CBT Instruments The computer-based test (CBT) gives examinees the opportunity to take the TOEFL using computer terminals equipped with a keyboard and mouse. It's better that you understand the main idea of the reading passage itself. Regret for wrongdoing; remorse; uneasiness of conscience D. Toefl san diego is always being judged by the masses. Toefl official site can have a profound effect on a passel of new arrivals. Most students take this test to apply to specific study programs. As a matter of fact there are a growing number of students who have exceptional work experience and great academic record but unfortunately were not able to perform on the standardized exams.
pages: 312 | 2009-03-31 / 142779961X /
***Includes Practice Test Questions***
