National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Lauds LAEP for Model Support Network

By DYANNE CANO
LAEP Learning Exchange

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards recently recognized the Los Angeles Educational Partnership's Support Network as a model for aiding those attempting to obtain national certification and particularly for teachers of color.

"Los Angeles is the national urban model of support" for teachers applying for certification from the National Board, said Ann Harmon, a psychometrist with the National Board, along with other representatives from Atlanta and Chicago, visited LAEP earlier this week.

Harmon said the Support Network exemplifies a partnership between teachers and that the uniqueness of the program remains in the fact that teachers create this network for other teachers. Therefore, there is no power structure within this network; the applicants and those who guide them through the certification process are peers among themselves.

The Support Network is a collaborative effort between teachers seeking National Board certification, LAEP, United Teachers Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Since its creation in 1998, The Support Network has worked with 127 LAUSD teachers, all but two of whom have received National Board certification within the past 2 years. Through workshops, facilitated small groups, moral support and other resources, this teacher-directed network provides teachers with assistance throughout the certification process.

"The representatives from the National Board wanted to have a greater understanding of the diversity of programs at LAEP," said Cathy Armstrong, Support Network co-facilitator and assistant director of programs at the Los Angeles Educational Partnership. "They also wanted to look at the ways the National Board could work with our model in the future."

Armstrong said the meeting focused on three main issues: how the network provides strong assistance for teachers pursuing certification from the National Board; why such a model proves successful in Los Angeles; and how other cities can implement a similar program like the network

Both National Board and the Support Network representatives discussed essential components for a strong support network, including an enlightened leadership and a clear vision; collaboration and support from teachers, the school district, and other organizations to maintain a successful network in an urban setting like Los Angeles; the ability of National Board certified teachers to guide and coach teacher candidates; facilities to hold workshops, group meetings, and other resources; an adequate budget get to give facilitators stipends.

Connected to the National Board's vision of teaching becoming a profession and adding more value to education, the Support Network demonstrates the importance of representing and supporting accomplished and skilled teachers who enrich student learning.

Chicago and Atlanta representatives visited LAEP because these cities are interested in implementing a model like the Support Network.

Nancy Schwartz of the National Board is working to help build a similar model in Chicago by using a non-profit organization, the school district, and the teacher's union. She wants to use the Support Network's model to inform plans for creating one in this city. Tonika Terrell, a National Board certified teacher, said a school district in Atlanta is attracted to this network, as well.

As a result of the National Board's recognition, research and evaluation are in process. Steve Cantrell, along with Ted Bartell, director of LAUSD's Program Evaluation and Research Branch, will be conducting a program evaluation of the Support Network and will exchange the evaluation's results with the National Board.

The study will include why African-American teachers in Los Angeles succeed at a higher rate than in any other city. Nationally, African-American teachers achieve certification at 11 percent, whereas, African-American teachers in the Support Network achieve certification at 40 percent."

In January, the National Board announced that 127 LAUSD teachers received certification. Of those teachers 90 were part of The Support Network.

A follow-up meeting will take place in mid-June with representatives from Chicago and Atlanta, Armstrong said.

"We will take an in-depth look at the ways in which we may support them in making models that support National Board candidates from other cities through the rigorous process," she said.

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