SB 0432

SB 432-FN-A - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

AN ACT relative to state assistance for teachers applying for national board certification.

SPONSORS: Sen. Larsen, Dist 15; Sen. McCarley, Dist 6; Sen. Wheeler, Dist 21; Sen. Disnard, Dist 8; Sen. Hollingworth, Dist 23; Rep. Yeaton, Merr 10; Rep. Estabrook, Straf 8; Rep. Gile, Merr 16

This bill provides that the department of education shall pay the costs associated with 10 teachers annually taking the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification course, and provides that teachers who obtain such certification shall be automatically certified as master teachers in New Hampshire. The bill also establishes a one year teaching requirement for teachers who receive funds from the department of education to take the course.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT relative to state assistance for teachers applying for national board certification.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Subparagraph; Department of Education; State Board of Education; National Certification Rulemaking Authority Added. Amend RSA 21-N:9, II by inserting after subparagraph (bb) the following new subparagraph:

(cc) Establishing application procedures for teachers who wish to take the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification course, and procedures for reimbursement of the fee for teachers who successfully complete the certification course.

2 New Paragraph; Teachers; Master Teachers Credential Amended. Amend RSA 189:14-f by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:

I-a. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph I of this section, a teacher who submits written evidence to the state board of education demonstrating that he or she has successfully completed the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification course and who has met the requirements of RSA 189:14-f, I(a) and (b) shall be granted the credential of master teacher. Teachers receiving the master teacher credential under this paragraph shall be subject to the provisions of paragraph III of this section.

3 New Section; Teachers; National Board Certification Course. Amend RSA 189 by inserting after section 14-f the following new section:

I. A teacher possessing a valid professional standards certificate from the state board of education who has obtained a written recommendation from their local superintendent may apply, through the division of educational improvement, department of education, to take the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification course (NBPTS). A teacher applying through and selected by the division of educational improvement, department of education shall be eligible to receive reimbursement from the department of education for the course fee.

II. Beginning July 1, 2001, the department of education shall, from existing budgetary allocations, reimburse the course fee for a maximum of 10 teachers per fiscal year who successfully complete the NBPTS course. The department is hereby authorized to expend funds for the purpose of reimbursing NBPTS course fees in accordance with this section.

III. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a teacher possessing a valid professional standards certificate from the state board of education from taking the NBPTS course as may be desired. Such teachers shall be financially responsible for all costs associated with obtaining the certification and shall be eligible to receive the master teacher credential pursuant to RSA 189:14-f, I-a.

IV. A teacher who successfully completes the NBPTS certification course and receives funding under paragraph II of this section shall be required to perform a minimum of one year of full-time teaching at a primary or secondary public school in New Hampshire. In lieu of the one year of full-time teaching, a teacher may reimburse the department of education for any funds received in connection with the NBPTS course. Such reimbursement shall be completed within one year of the completion of the NBPTS course.

AN ACT relative to state assistance for teachers applying for national board certification.

The Department of Education indicates this bill, as amended by the Senate, will have no fiscal impact on state, county and local revenue or expenditures.

The Department states there is no fiscal impact because the expenditures to reimburse the course fee for a maximum of 10 teachers per fiscal year, beginning in FY 2002, will be made in lieu of other budgeted expenditures.