Board-certified teachers’ ranks increase

More than 1,200 Washington teachers earned their national board certification in 2009.

It marks a huge increase compared with Oregon and Idaho.

Washington teachers are the second most successful group in the nation this year at achieving national certification. No. 1 in 2009 was North Carolina, according to a list released Wednesday.

This year’s total in the Central Valley district – 38 – nearly doubled its number of nationally credentialed teachers.

Spokane Public Schools added 63 nationally certified teachers, bringing the total to 142. The district was third among the state’s school districts for the most certifications.

Newly accredited teachers in the East Valley and West Valley school districts were in the single digits.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards said Washington state ranks fifth in the nation in the total number of board-certified teachers, with a total of 3,964. Since 2006, Washington has had a 201 percent increased of educators who have achieved the certification.

Only five Oregon teachers were newly certified this year. Ten Idaho teachers, including two in the Coeur d’Alene School District, were added to the state’s total of 361, according the national board’s Web site.

Teachers earn national board certification through a voluntary assessment program that takes one to three years to complete.

They must demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices.

The five districts in Washington with the most board-certified teachers are Bellevue, Seattle, Spokane, Lake Washington and Evergreen, in Clark County.

Washington teachers earn a raise of $5,000 to $10,000 for becoming certified. In Idaho, the annual raise is $2,000 a year for five years.

The certification is a federal program.

School officials said the districts are reimbursed by the state for the salary increases.