SUU -Professional Education Unit: NBPTS Standards Developed

Our board of directors appoints standards committee members for each certificate field. Just like the board, the majority of committee members are distinguished teachers regularly engaged in teaching students in that field. Teachers chair most standards committees as well. Other committee members include experts in child development, teacher education and the relevant academic discipline. Committee appointments last three years.

Step 2: Committees develop standards

Committees are challenged to set standards that

highlight specific aspects of teaching that reflect accomplished practice, while emphasizing the holistic nature of teaching;

describe how the standard comes to life in different settings;

identify the knowledge, skills and dispositions that support a teacher's performance at a high level;

show how a teacher's professional judgment is reflected in observable actions; and

reflect the five propositions in the policy statement, What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do.

The committee's draft standards are reviewed by the Certification Standards Working Group (a subcommittee of the board of directors) before going into a public review process.

Step 3: The standards are publicly reviewed

The draft standards are presented at regional and national meetings and focus group sessions and are circulated to teachers and other educators in appropriate fields for review and comment. The review process lasts about three months. In addition, individuals can obtain copies of the draft and supply feedback about them. The National Board uses reviewers' feedback to revise standards and determine their substance, usefulness and legal defensibility.

If you are interested in getting information about draft standards undergoing review, send the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards an e-mail request, call us at 810/351-4444 or contact your professional education association

Professional Education Unit

How the NBPTS Standards Are Developed