National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has awarded Jackson State
University's College of Lifelong Learning a grant to implement the National
Board Comprehensive Support Center. The Center is designed to improve teaching
and learning in high-need schools through the support of teachers pursuing:
(1) National Board Certification or (2) Take One!. Through the Center, professional
development and technical assistance will be offered to teachers in the following
school districts: Jackson Public Schools, Canton School District, North Pike
School District and surrounding Title One and high-need schools in Mississippi.
The award is in the amount of $50,000 for the first year; $40, 000 for year
two; and $30,000 for year three.
Take One!, a component of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards,
will be implemented in the Canton School District. It is an entry level program
that provides a standards-based approach for improving teaching practice.
Historically, teachers have been required to have at least three years of
teaching experience before applying for National Board Certification. Under
Take One!, teachers will have the opportunity to begin the National Board
Certification process immediately upon entering the classroom because they
are only required to have a minimum of one year in the teaching profession.
At the completion of Take One!, teachers may bank their scores; and at the
end of their third year of teaching, they will have the opportunity to continue
the National Board process.
The Comprehensive Support Center Program will support teachers pursuing National
Board Certification in the Jackson Public School District, North Pike School
District and surrounding schools. Teachers pursuing National Board under the
Comprehensive Support Center Program must have at least three years of teaching
experience before applying for National Board Certification. This program
will promote the use of National Board Standards and Best Practices as a professional
development tool for teachers to improve their content and pedagogical knowledge
to impact student learning.
The facilitator and mentors for the College of Lifelong Learning will implement
bi-monthly mentoring sessions as part of professional development at each
school district. The mentoring sessions which started September, 2008 and
will end in May, 2009 consist of (1) an introduction to the Five Core Propositions;
(2) creating a framework for using the Architectural of Teaching and Learning
in the classroom; (3) an introduction and review of portfolio materials; (4)
and critiquing videotaped classroom lessons supported with analysis of impact
on student learning.
For additional information about the programs, please contact Ms. Kenerson,
facilitator of the program at (601) 432-6270 or (601) 432-6138.