WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) announced that their bipartisan resolution recognizing the importance and contributions of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) passed the Senate.
Students taught by National Board Certified Teachers gain 1-2 months of additional instruction per year and are 11% more likely to score proficient on literacy exams.
Nationally, there are over 141,000 teachers who have earned National Board Certification. In New Mexico, there are over 1,600 National Board Certified Teachers, including 112 teachers who became certified last year.
“New Mexico’s robust National Board Certification program for teachers is one of the best in the country and helps all of our students accelerate their learning,” said Heinrich. “I’m proud the Senate has passed our bipartisan resolution to recognize the major difference that National Board Certified Teachers make in preparing our kids for success in the classroom and beyond.”
“Alabama is home to so many excellent educators and National Board Certified Teachers. I’m honored to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution and celebrating the many ways our teachers empower students to reach their full potential. Education is the key to unlocking the American Dream for every child, and I couldn’t be more grateful for our educators’ continued commitment to invest in the next generation," said Britt.
“Our teachers are critical to the development and success of our students and National Board Certified Teachers across the country go even further to ensure they can set students up for lifetimes of success,” said Hirono. “I am glad my colleagues in the Senate voted to pass this resolution celebrating these caring and effective educators and I remain committed to ensuring that teachers have the support they need to ensure our youth receive the quality education they deserve.”
"The National Board Certification program sets the highest standards of excellence and commitment to provide our students with top-notch educators who can play an invaluable role in strengthening our education system in Mississippi and across the nation. I am proud to join my colleagues in recognizing and honoring the dedicated educators who hold this esteemed certification," said Hyde-Smith.
"National Board Certification transformed me as an educator by teaching me to center my instructional decisions around my students' abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. By constantly reflecting on my practice, through the lens of student outcomes, my students get the absolute best version of me and my lessons, leading to individual student growth. Every student deserves an accomplished teacher," said Katie Lake, Math teacher at Los Alamos High School and President of the New Mexico National Board of Certified Teacher Network.
The resolution was led by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.). The resolution was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and John Fetterman (D-Pa.).
The full text of the resolution is here.
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