The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification Incentive Program provides a $20,000 incentive award for California National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) who teach in high-priority schools. This award is "granted to the extent that funds have been appropriated for this purpose in the annual Budget Act." For the current award cycle, the request for data application deadline is February 14, 2008.
California Education Code (EC) Section 44395 (Outside Source) states "a teacher shall be assigned to teach for at least 50 percent of a full-time position." For purposes of this award, "assigned to teach" may include, but is not limited to, a teacher leadership role as a peer assistance and review coach, mentor, or other teacher support provider if the position does not require an administrative credential.
NBCTs who teach at least 50 percent time in a high-priority school (Academic Performance Index statewide rank of 5 or lower) for four consecutive years are eligible for the $20,000 incentive award, if they have not previously received this award. This one-time incentive award of $20,000 is paid in $5,000 installments for four consecutive years. School districts will verify that teachers have met the requirements before funding is released to districts to pay the teachers.
In January of each year, the California Department of Education (CDE) mails a Teacher Certification Incentive Award application to all new NBCTs. Veteran NBCTs who were not eligible in the past, but currently meet the eligibility requirements for an award, may request an application by calling (916) 323-5795.
NOTE: The application deadline will be strictly enforced, and applications received after this date will not be considered.
In March, the CDE mails a District Application and Verification of Eligibility (DAVE) form for the Certification Incentive Program to districts with NBCTs who have submitted a timely teacher application. A single form is submitted for all NBCTs in a district.
- Processing of the awards cannot be completed until districts return the DAVE form. Recipients of the award should expect a $5,000 installment in the fall.
- The Annual Budget Act determines the award payments. For example, the fiscal year (FY) 2007-08 Budget Act funds the payments that are made during fall 2008. The current allocation is $6 million.
For additional information about the incentive program please visit Frequently Asked Questions.
