National Education Leader Dr. Robert Schiller

WASHINGTON, DC (November 15, 2004) — The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (American Board) today proudly announced that Dr. Robert Schiller, former Illinois State Superintendent of Education, will serve as a State Relations Consultant. Schiller will assist the American Board’s continued state and national outreach efforts as the organization seeks to expand adoption of its alternative teaching pathway to more states.

“Dr. Schiller’s significant experience in education issues at the state and local levels makes him a valuable addition to the American Board. We are privileged to have him join our team," said Dr. Kathleen Madigan, president of the American Board. “Robert brings tremendous dedication, extensive knowledge and impressive skills to his new role. His experience in improving education standards will benefit our program and its teacher certification candidates."

Prior to serving as Illinois State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Schiller held a variety of education positions, including state leadership roles in Michigan, Delaware and Louisiana. In those three states, he made significant improvements in the restructuring of school districts and in the student and teacher accountability and reporting systems. Additionally, Dr. Schiller has served as Superintendent, Principal,and Chief Executive in several school districts across the country and has classroom experience as a professor at various universities and community colleges.

“I am honored to be involved in the expansion of the American Board program," said Dr. Schiller. “I share the American Board’s commitment to improving teacher quality. Through my work in states throughout the country, I’ve witnessed first-hand the need for an alternative pathway to attract qualified individuals to teach. The American Board’s rigorous standards attract these highly qualified teachers needed to enhance America’s classrooms."

About the American Board

The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence is a non-profit organization that addresses the need to place a highly qualified teacher in every classroom. Through assessments of rigorous standards in professional teaching and subject area knowledge, the American Board offers a new approach to certification that helps states identify qualified individuals with the knowledge to positively impact student academic achievement.

The American Board has received bipartisan support. It is specifically referenced as an innovative nontraditional certification process in Meeting the Highly Qualified Teachers Challenge: The Secretary’s Second Annual Report on Teacher Quality (2003) and as a promising initiative for addressing the teacher quality challenge in the Secretary’s third annual report (2004). Additionally, the 2004 Teaching Commission report Teaching at Risk: A Call to Action cites the American Board as a promising model to promote high quality skills and preparation, and the Progressive Policy Institute cites the American Board as a high quality innovative alternative route to certification that fits its “Tear Down the Walls" approach needed to reform current certification programs.

For more information, please visit www.abcte.org.