National Board Certified Teachers ARE More Effective 

Large-Scale Study (2004) Shows Higher Test Scores for Their Students

The Urban Institute and the University of Washington completed a study showing that students of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) improved on elementary math and reading tests more than pupils whose teachers did not achieve National Board Certification. And, the effects of NBCTs on students who were younger or low-income were even greater. The results are impressive.

The report suggests that policymakers should consider the value of NBCTs working with low-income students, and the value of creating mechanisms for keeping NBCTs in the classroom.

North Carolina was selected as the data collection site because the state provides generous incentives to those who become certified. And, at the time of the study, the state had about 25 percent of the nation's NBPTS-certified teachers. In addition, North Carolina maintains extremely detailed databases that allow researchers to link students and teachers and track both over time.

Researchers Dan Goldhaber and Emily Anthony found that NBPTS certified teachers are more effective than their noncertified counterparts, and that the NBPTS process successfully identifies the more effective teachers among NBPTS applicants. The statistical significance and magnitude of the "NBPTS effect," however, differs significantly by grade level and student type.

Read the research brief of the study, "National Board Certification Successfully Identifies Effective Teachers." From Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE).

Read the full research report, "Can Teacher Quality Be Effectively Assessed?" (2004).

Related Links

Who Applies for and Earns Advanced Teacher Certification?  (Urban Institute 2003) – Research Brief. Interesting statistics on which teachers apply for National Board Certification, who they teach, and where they teach.

National Board Certification Resources – General information, candidate information, research, and resources about the National Board Certification process.