Office of Secretary

National Board Certification

Quick Links National Board for Professional Teaching Standards South Dakota NBCT Information Candidate Subsidy Program South Dakota Codified Law 13-42-26 Forms Subsidy Application Word | PDF Contacts South Dakota's National Board Certified Teacher Directory South Dakota NBCT Listserv

National Board Certification is a process administered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). NBPTS is an independent, non-profit organization that offers a certificate to teachers who demonstrate knowledge and skills through a challenging set of assessments. The NBPTS organization includes teachers and other education stakeholders working to advance the teaching profession and improve student learning.

The National Board Certification offered by NBPTS is geared to teachers who seek higher levels of professional growth and a process to critically examine their teaching practice against high, rigorous standards. The standards measure what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do.

Obtaining National Board Certification is a rigorous process including a two-part assessment based on standards and reflecting varied aspects of teaching. The process includes development of a portfolio completed in the candidate's classroom that includes student work, videotapes and other teaching artifacts. The assessment center exercises complement the portfolio and are organized around challenging teaching issues. Work on the National Board Certification process takes the better part of a school year.

National Board Certificates are now available in several education fields and several assessment calendars. Eligible teachers for National Board Certification must hold a baccalaureate degree, have taught for at least three years and held a valid state teaching certificate for those three years.

Subsidy Available for Teachers Who Pursue National Board Certification

The Application

• Download and complete: Word | PDF

Questions regarding the application process can be directed to Lanette Johnston in the South Dakota Department of Education at 773-8415 or lanette.johnston@state.sd.us.

South Dakota Codified Law 13-42-26

13-42-26  Certification by National Board for Professional Teaching Standards-- Reimbursement for fees--Stipend for certified teachers--Adoption of rules.

The legislation to make payment for National Board Certification stipends optional failed. Thus the language still stands as it did previously. Although the rules are still in place, without the appropriation, there will be no payment. As per SDCL 4-8-4, if a statute is passed which requires the expenditure of money, but the Legislature has failed to make the necessary appropriation to fund the expenditure the department may not use any other funds to pay the obligation.

The Department of Education shall establish a program to reimburse public school teachers for the application and processing fee for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process. The reimbursement shall include any federal funds that may be available through a candidate subsidy program. The reimbursement shall be paid upon receipt of documentation that the teacher successfully completed all certification requirements and was awarded the credential.

In addition to the reimbursement provided pursuant to this section, a teacher who teaches in a public school and who has obtained certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards shall receive a payment of two thousand dollars per year for five years. The stipend shall be paid as follows:

(1) One thousand dollars from the Department of Education;

(2) One thousand dollars from the school district where the teacher is employed.

Once the first five years is complete, the school district that employs the teacher may opt to continue payments during the period of the next five years. If, during that period, the school district pays the teacher a stipend, the Department of Education shall also pay the teacher a stipend equal to the amount offered by the school district, up to a maximum of one thousand dollars. However, the department is not required to pay a teacher a stipend pursuant to this section during years six to ten unless the school district employing the teacher opts to pay a stipend.

The Board of Education shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, to establish guidelines necessary to implement the program.