By Staff Report
Alabama Political Reporter
From the Office of Rep. Jay Love
MONTGOMERY – A bill providing $2.3 million to cover expenses for teachers seeking national board certification passed through committee Wednesday, reaffirming the Legislature’s commitment to helping educators excel in their profession.
Rep. Jay Love (R-Montgomery), who chairs the Education Ways and Means Committee and who sponsored the bill, said this funding provides critical support to teachers in their efforts to achieve this important distinction.
“In Alabama we want excellent teachers in every classroom preparing the next generation of Alabamians to be our greatest yet,” Rep. Love said. “Supporting our teachers in their pursuit of national board certification helps us make that a reality. The rigorous certification process is extremely demanding on teachers who already have a full plate. By making sure the state is covering the cost of certification we encourage more teachers to take their profession to the next level and become board certified.”
Senate Majority Leader Jabo Waggoner who is handling similar legislation in the Senate, echoed Love’s statement, saying that the key to great students are great educators.
“Better educated children are central to everything we are trying to do in terms of attracting new business and growing the economy. All of that starts with supporting quality teachers,” Waggoner said. “This important legislation does just that.”
About the bill:
- Supplemental Appropriations to Fund National Board For Professional Teaching Standards Certification for Alabama Teachers for Fiscal Years 2011 & 2012, House Bill 251, sponsored by Rep. Jay Love (R-Montgomery), passed unanimously by the House Education Ways and Means Committee
- This bill appropriates $2.31 million from the Education Trust Fund to pay the full $5,000 salary supplement for teachers who completed the process to become national board certified
According to its website (www.nbpts.org), The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an independent, nonpartisan organization formed to advance the quality of teaching and learning by developing professional standards for accomplished teaching.
