Washington stays near the top in board-certified teachers

OLYMPIA — Washington state has the second-most teachers in the nation who earned national board certification this year. Those 945 teachers join more than 6,000 others in Washington state who now earn a $5,000 bonus each year for proving they are accomplished in their work. The governor and the head of the state education department commended the teachers for earning the certification. The state gives a second $5,000 bonus to board certified teachers who teach in a challenging school, where at least half the kids qualify for free and reduced-price lunch. State education officials say more than 30 percent of the new certified teachers work in a challenging school. The president of the state’s largest teacher’s union is encouraging the Legislature to reject proposals to cut the bonus system for this program.