The National Board has developed an innovative, two-part assessment process to determine whether a teacher possesses the attributes of accomplished teaching based on the National Board's standards. One component of the assessment is done at a teacher's school. A teacher shows evidence of good teaching practice by preparing a portfolio. The portfolio contains videotapes of classroom teaching, lesson plans, samples of student work and written commentaries in which the teacher reflects on what she is doing and why. The second component of the assessment is exercises which take place at an assessment center.
Candidates spend one day at the assessment center.
Exercises are designed around challenging teacher issues and include evaluating other teachers' practice, interviews and exams in a teacher's field. Applications are available free from the National Board. They are not available through the National Board. However, we can provide information about incentives. Teacher candidates have about five months to compile portfolios.