Teachers who achieve certification have demonstrated the ability, in a variety of settings, to make sound professional judgments about students' best interests and to act effectively on those judgments. The certification process is a two-part assessment that requires a great deal of time and energy on the part of the candidate. The first part of the process asks a teacher to show evidence of good teaching practice by preparing a portfolio. The portfolio contains videotapes of classroom teaching, lesson plans, samples of student work and written analyses and reflections on one's teaching. The second component of the assessment takes place in an assessment center.
Candidates spend one day at an assessment center completing six content tests.
Teachers who have undertaken it consider it to be the most worthwhile professional development experience of their careers. In addition, teachers who earn National Board Certification earn 120 PDPs, enough for one round of recertification. The Department shall provide master teachers with ongoing salary bonuses for such master teachers. Master Teacher status is awarded annually, contingent upon mentoring activities. Additionally, the DOE organizes monthly seminar groups with current National Board Certified teachers and assists candidates in navigating the Board process.