The Support Network is a joint project of the Los Angeles Educational Partnership (LAEP) with United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to provide year-long structured support for teachers pursuing certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Considered by many in the educational community to be the most prestigious teacher certification in the country, National Board Certification is a voluntary system based on high standards. A National Board certificate attests that a teacher is recognized by peer assessment as one who is accomplished, makes sound professional judgments about student learning, and acts effectively on those judgments. Candidates must complete a day-long test at an assessment center and submit a portfolio that demonstrates, through evidence from their students’ work, that their classroom practice is aligned with the rigorous standards in their certificate area.
The Support Network provides seven workshops designed to guide teachers through each facet of the national certification process. The workshops explore the theory and practice behind what it takes to become National Board certified. Workshop topics include sections on accomplished teaching and assessment of student work and discussions of how to make good choices in compiling the material used to complete portfolios. LAEP has designed a workbook style study manual complete with graphic organizers that each facilitator will discuss in detail with participants.
