National Board certification gets cut

The House just voted 71-37 for a bill (5083) that saves the state more than $40-million a year - but that education officials say will eventually do away with the state's popular bonus program for National Board-certified teachers by diluting incentives to teachers. The Senate passed a similar bill yesterday, with a 35-1 vote.

The legislation does away with a bonus for certified teachers who mentor other educators, as well as a $2250 application fee subsidy for teachers who pursue the certification. The Senate version is even more controversial and opposed by the FEA because it limits the annual 10 percent bonus for board-ecrtified teachers to one 10-year period.

About 10,000 teachers benefited from the program this year, at a cost of $88-million to the state. The changes would cut the state's tab by $41-million next year.

Comments

[THE PEOPLE!]

STOP DIVERTING ATTENTION AWAY FROM YOUR LIES AND FAILURES BY DESTROYING OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, AND FIX PROPERTY INSURANCE LIKE YOU PROMISED!

BREAKING NEWS!

“Florida on the fast track to having the worst education system in the country.”

“Jeb did his best to get us there, but we still have much work to do if we want to reach our goal of “Worst”… said State Legislators… “We got some devious plans to deal with the people’s demand for fiscal responsibility.”

When asked why Legislators are spending 700-million in tax dollars on corporate welfare to CSX, while letting education go by way of our economy, Legislators said, “Hey, our kids got to work somewhere, why not the rail yard… I mean, we all can’t work for defense contractors.”

Well of course, the teachers just got a $240 property tax cut from Amendment 1, so why not cut their compensation. If only teachers could afford to buy their own homes in the first place!! It is just disgusting and obscene how we treat teachers in this state, and then fight tooth and nail to save voucher programs to send our children to private schools because the public schools aren't worth a damn, which isthe situation we create and perpetuate by treating educators like indentured servants. Ifthe Mother of all teacher exoduses has not yet occurred, the legislature just cinched it.

[Omega83]

Good job guys - punish the good teachers. What an incentive...

10:37,

“If the Mother of all teacher exoduses has not yet occurred, the legislature just cinched it.”

That has been the plan all along. One way to guarantee that tax dollars can be shifted to private industry is to intentionally de-functionalize the public system.

It’s treason against this great nation and it’s core principles. But ultimately, it’s our fault. We vote these criminals into office and won’t get off our a*s to vote them out of office.

In today's global marketplace, the United States has exactly one remaining advantage. Our education system. If we continue to support tax cuts and other dis-incentive policies like this one, soon we will have absolutely nothing left to differentiate our graduates from workers being turned out by the millions from 3rd rate "universities" in many other parts of the world.

Thanks, Florida GOP, for helping to lead this mass exodous of quality teachers from our state, and quality graduates from our country.

[terminator]

"the sky is falling" said chicken little.

get serious. just because the national board teachers won't get to double dip anymore doesn't mean the end of the world as we know.

there are no empirical studies that show national board certified teachers improve student performance (FCAT) vs teachers without national board.

it was merely a program cooked up by former ed commissioner Betty Castor who (drumroll please) immediatly went to work for National Board after leaving state government.

incidentally, Castor made a boatload of money "selling" national board to Florida and many other states.

don't you hogs think you've lapped at the trough long enough?

if anything the money should be rolled back into GR where it can be used for collective bargaining so ALL teachers can get more money.

You're right, termie... or in other words...

"Egimication... we don't need no stinkin Egimication... we'ins got plenty of them illegal migrains to cuts the grass"

... God help us all.

terminator, maybe its not working perfectly, but cutting it is still a net disincentive for teachers and yet another nail in the coffin.

Yep, God forbid that our teachers be certified!!!!!

How about requiring certification, credit checks, and criminal background checks for Legislators!!!!! AND pay them 2/12ths of the average state employee AND make them pay for their health insurance and dental insurance AND require them to make a public disclosure prior to voting on a bill of any donations from lobbyists supporting the bill????

[nonNBCbuteffectiveteacher]

Don't always agree with termie but this was excessive...and teachers knew each year was at legislature's discretion. So next time read the fine print before you cry boo hoo.

It should go back into the GR fund where all teachers salaries should get funded, not just a few who THINK that a NBC is better....my own stats on student gains prove that I don't need NBC to be effective.

I don't feel sorry for them. The state's money could have been used as a subsidy on getting a Master's in the subject, or a subsidy for gaining certification in a critical shortage area like Math, Science, ESE, etc. or as an incentive to choose teaching in critical need/shortage areas.

Yes, education just needs more $$$. All they get is more money and the unions suck it up. Pathetic.

Dockery should send less $$$ to the Bucs for their tax breaks and send more to education.

Yes, corporate welfare (CSX) just needs more $$$. All they get is more money and the Republicons suck it up. Pathetic.

Terminator: Show me the empirical evidence that proves a student's performance on the FCAT has anything to do with whether they become a college graduate, a productive citizen, a criminal or a homeless person. Success on the FCAT means absolutely nothing.

Wonder how those 6 cheerleaders in Polk County did on the FCAT?

hey 12:08, a teacher going for a Masters degree is already being heavily subsidized for the education they get. That's what the State does for higher ed....subsidize.

But back to the point: A national board certified teacher may not be able to provide empirical proof with a test that their students perform better, but the fact that they go thru the terribly difficult process of certification proves that they are dedicated to being a better teacher in their subject. Just because you cannot see the results does not mean that the results aren't there.

[terminator]

4:57
like Ronald Reagan used to say: "trust but verify".

4:49
I'm not saying it does but that's the way the public schools are being measured these days.
My point was, national board is just another hoop to jump through, it doesn't necessarily make someone a better teacher than one who doesn't have it.

[Jen]

Veteran teachers are leaving the profession in droves. The NB bonus was an incentive to stay. At some point, even the most dedicated teachers have to put their own families first and take higher paying positions. The people "crying boo-hoo" will be the parents when they realize their children are being taught by inexperienced people just out of college and people starting a second career who want to "be friends" with students instead of teachers. With the mentoring bonus gone, these new teachers will have less guidance/supervision.

[I do cafeteria duty]

National Boards Certification is a joke, and research after research has proven that the teachers who have completed the NBCT paperwork, and gotten the big fat stupid bonuses every year, have had NO EFFECT on the test scores of students. "National Board Certified" teachers statistically are absolutely no better than the rest of the teachers who didn't play the game to get free money. It's about time Florida wised up. Ask any teacher: they all know some losers who got the "honor".

[Know the Truth]

I am not National Board Certified myself, but have worked with many certified teachers over the last 5 years. I have no "TEST RESULTS" to prove that these teachers go above and beyond, or that their teaching methods and principles place them at the top of our profession. However, I have seen first hand how beneficial these teachers are to the students, schools, districts, and to their colleagues. Visit any public school and ask to observe a classroom or subject being taught. Who will they send you to? A National Board Certified teacher's classroom. Ask any new or beginning teacher in the State of Florida who they went to for support during their first, second, or even third year of teaching. They will tell you that it was a Board Certified Teacher. Ask someone in staff development at any district office who they have teach seminars, courses and presentations, or even hold small learning communities within individual schools. Again you will hear "National Board Certified teachers." Personally I know a few of these great teachers who will continue to work hard for students, teachers, and schools even if they lose part of their bonus money from the State. This is because it took a person with a great deal of dedication to the profession to go through the certification process itself. All the same, I know of at least two of these teachers that may be leaving the profession, because they can earn more in a different profession and need the extra income to help support their families. From what I have read, this was the major reason for the bonus money and incintives. They wanted to keep quality teachers in the profession. I also wanted to comment on what someone mentioned here. Someone said that we should use that money to put into the pool of money that is divided between ALL teachers. To let all teachers benefit from extra income. While I am all for extra pay for teachers, I know so many teachers who should NOT be paid more or even the same as their peers. Please--in any profession this is true. Not all, but many teachers have never attempted the process of certification because they KNOW they are not willing to go the extra mile for students or education. I personally wanted to go through the certification process not only because I knew I could make extra money, but because I wanted to learn more than I did in college. I wanted to be the best teacher I could be. Now, due to the cut in funding-- I will have to put off registering as I need to save up the money to pay for it. It is sad that Florida wants the best, and demands the best, but thinks that it will not have to pay for it. I know that this will impact my own school district and my own school. Teachers need mentors that not only care about students but care about their colleagues.

I would not disagree with "Know the Truth" at all as far as her take on the value of these nationally certified teachers. However, I would rather see the program cut (especially the funding for initial certification) before I would want district to have to make cuts that result in laying off people. Bonuses are not as valuable as salaries for meeting the needs of students. Fighting to keep applications fees (protecting the program instead of those who went through it) makes even less sense. The state cannot afford the current base budget of the state. Schools will need to cut the base budget both to meet the state cuts and to fund CSR, MAP and other NEW programs that are not in the current base. Without a lot of help, this will mean that layoffs will happen. I do not see that as a good thing for students.

[Know the Truth]

I agree on those points too. I wouldn't want to see layoffs and larger class sizes. I know that in tough times, tough decisions must be made. I was just defending the certification of teachers and their value to education. I take pride in being a teacher even though I am not a Board Certified Teacher. I still plan on becoming certified and also seeking a master's degree as well. When money is involved there are always going to be those that want to bash others. I support all teachers who love the profession and care about students, NB certified or not. Let's just hope that in the end everything works out.