Raleigh, N.C. – North Carolina leads the nation in the number of teachers to earn certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, according to figures released by the state Department of Public Instruction on Monday.
North Carolina also has the largest percentage of national certified teachers in its classrooms at 21.6 percent, according to the data. Those teachers receive a 12 percent salary supplement for the 10-year life of the certification.
“North Carolina’s legislature is investing in meaningful education reforms, today, that build a brighter future for our children, tomorrow,” Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said in a recent opinion column about strengthening K-12 schools.
Nationally certified teachers are also awarded continuing education credits (CEUs) in North Carolina and the state supports teachers pursuing the recognition by providing low-interest loans to help candidates develop their portfolios and pay fees for the program.
Two North Carolina school districts placed in the top-five for total national certified teachers: Wake County finished first with 2,631 and Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools finished fourth with 2,033.
“Our state’s students are the winners when their teachers invest the time and effort to meet the demanding standards of national certification,” said state Superintendent Mark Johnson.
“The certification process helps teachers strengthen their practice to be highly effective educators in their classrooms and able instructional leaders in their schools.”