New Rule for National Level Certification Approved by New Hampshire State Legislators

WASHINGTON, DC (September 30, 2004) — The New Hampshire General Court today approved a new state Board of ducation-enacted rule for satisfying teacher certification requirements. The Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules opened the door for acceptance of new pathways to the classroom, such as the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence’s (American Board) Passport to Teaching^SM. The new rule removes the mention of specific programs, including the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

“Today’s ruling levels the playing field for programs offering alternative teacher certification in New Hampshire,” said Kathleen Madigan, president of the American Board. “Passage of this important rule is due, in large part, to the support and commitment of Senator Jane O’Hearn, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, and Representative John Alger, vice chairman of the House Education Committee.”

Targeting mid-career changers, recent college graduates and teachers seeking certification, the American Board’s Passport to Teaching offers an alternative route for qualified individuals to join the teaching field. Candidates must complete a standards-based process which includes a pre-assessment; development and completion of an individualized learning plan with an advisor.

The process culminates when the candidate passes two teaching examinations, one dealing with the prospective teacher’s knowledge of his/her subject, and the other probing knowledge of professional teaching. Teachers earning American Board certification will be able to transfer their credentials easily among the states that adopt the American Board. Currently, Pennsylvania, Idaho and Florida have approved the American Board program.

About the American Board

The American Board 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 impact student academic achievement. Founded by Education Leaders Council and the National Council on Teacher Quality, the American Board is recognized as approved provider of teacher certification in the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

The American Board was recently recognized by Secretary Paige as an innovative new option for teacher certification in “Meeting the Highly Qualified Teachers Challenge,” The Secretary’s Second Annual Report on Teacher Quality, July 2003 and also in the U.S. Department of Education Toolkit for Teachers, September 2003.

For more information, please visit: www.americanboard.org