NBCT Incentive Program

NBCT Incentive Program Loses Funding
State Superintendent Janet Barresi decided not to fund the NBCT program in the 2011-2012 budget released on June 23, 2011. Barresi called on school districts to fund the program by using the $33 million allocated for textbooks. The state requirement for textbooks was deregulated last year.

NBCT is a teacher incentive program that awards teachers $5,000 who successfully complete a three year process meeting high standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review.

The NBCT program has made a significant impact in Oklahoma. Oklahoma ranks 9th in the nation for the percentage of NBCTs. As a result of this achievement, Oklahoma also ranks in the top ten nationwide for teacher quality and high standards, according to Education Week's Quality Counts report.

Research, including the 2008 Congressionally-mandated National Research Council report, shows that students taught by NBCTs make higher gains on achievement tests than students taught by non-NBCTs.

The OK NBCT program is managed by the  Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation.

Take Action!
Contact your legislators to let them know why NBC Teachers have a direct impact on the quality of education. Ask them to pass a supplemental appropriations bill in February that would fund the NBCT incentive program.

Thank You Kelly Ogle!
"I know times are tight, but for years the education department moaned about losing the best and the brightest to other states like Texas that are willing to pay more, and now they cut that incentive for our extra effort teachers?" - Kelly Ogle, My 2 Cents: Fund Promised Teacher Stipends For Crying Out Loud


What Actions Have Been Taken to Restore Funding?

State Board Approves FY2013 Budget Request
Great news! On December 15, 2011, the State Board of Education approved the State Department of Education's FY2013 budget request which includes a $157.9 million increase to restore funding to the NBCT Stipend Program, as well as other programs and services cut from the FY2012. The budget request now goes to the Governor and legislature for approval.

>View the FY2013 Budget Request
  (see "Education Leadership Oklahoma")

Legislators Who Support NBCT Stipend
Below is a list of legislators who have expressed support for the NBCT stipend program, whether it was publicly or in response to one of your letters. If you know of others, please email us and we will update the list.


What has the OEA done?
Below is a list of actions taken by the OEA in support of the NBCT stipend. Additionally, OEA members have expressed their concerns by contacting legislators, community leaders and media. Without the voice of OEA members, the actions of OEA staff would have no merit. 
Letters to the Editor
Below is a list of published letters to the editor in support of the NBCT stipend. If you know of others, please email us and we will update the list.
Media Coverage
Below is a list of media coverage referencing the NBCT stipend. If you know of others, please email us and we will update the list.

Now What?
Thanks to each of you, great strides have been made to inform the public and our legislative leaders about the funding cuts to the NBCT stipend program. Every effort makes a difference! Several legislators have stepped up to the plate stating they will seek supplemental funding during the 2012 legislative session. However, we must maintain our momentum in order to keep the legislators focused on funding the stipend once February rolls around.

To maintain the momentum:
  • Continue your conversations between now and the legislative session with the media, school board members, community leaders, administrators, parents, and legislators.
  • Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
  • Invite your legislator to your school and show him/her a day in the life of an NBCT. See gleeweek.org for details.
  • Encourage supportive parents and students to write to the State Board of Education, State Superintendent, and their Representatives recognizing the quality of instruction from NBCTs.
  • Attend your next local school board meeting and report the number of NBCTs in your area, how this will affect the quality of instruction, and request them to write letters to the State Board of Education, State Superintendent, and your Representatives.
  • Record a video of why NBCTs are important to the quality of education. Share your story and then share it with us. You can email us your video or post it on our Facebook page and we will feature it with other NBCT testimonials.

Contact information


Stay Connected with other Oklahoma National Board Certified Teachers:
Join the Oklahoma NBCT Facebook Group!

 

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