The National Certification process is designed to ensure teacher quality through a voluntary advanced credential based on national standards for teaching. While the process of certification is rigorous, it has many benefits. Teachers who have become board certified attest that the process has enhanced their teaching practices and recent research connects certification with student achievement. To become certified, teachers spend over 200 hours on an assessment process in which they analyze their work, their teaching and how they affect student learning. While the process is intensive, teachers are increasingly being offered release time for studies and testing, as well as salary incentives for becoming certified. Certification is overseen and offered through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) of which teachers comprise two-thirds of the membership. Over 30,000 teachers have already obtained National Board Certification and the numbers are growing, helping to increase the professionalism of teachers and public confidence in the profession. Florida has a special program called the Dale Hickman Excellent Teaching Program that pays 90% of the certification fee for first time candidates for National Board Certification. To find out more about this opportunity, click on the above link or contact: Amy Combs Phone: (850)245-0555 Fax: 850-488-3352 E-mail: combsa@mail.doe.state.fl.us Finally, A major force in the National Board Certification movement is the National Education Association (NEA). You can find more information about this topic at the NEA Website.