There are four required portfolio entries for Exceptional Needs Specialist candidates. The first is meant to prove the teacher's ability to inform his instruction through assessment. The candidate must demonstrate the ways in which he uses assessment to inform further instruction and to analyze student need. A question document, assessment tool and a written commentary must be present.
The second portfolio entry is designed to demonstrate the candidate's ability to foster communications and literacy development. Evidence of the candidate's ability to plan and deliver instruction as well as reflection on the lesson must be present. A 15-minute video recording is submitted along with written comments for this entry.
In the third entry, the candidate must demonstrate ability to enhance social/emotional development in students. Evidence of the planning and implementation of meaningful learning experiences for a particular student must be submitted along with reflection on the work completed with the student. Written comments as well as a 15-minute video are required in this entry.
The fourth and final portfolio entry must document contributions to student learning. Partnerships with families and community members as well as collaboration with other professionals will be assessed. Connections must be made between teacher accomplishments and the impact those activities had on student learning. Descriptions and evidence must be submitted.
Once the portfolio submissions have been made, candidates are required to perform six assessment center exercises that are meant to examine the teacher's content knowledge. Each exercise is timed and a candidate may not take longer than 30 minutes on any one exercise. For the first three exercises, the candidate is asked to discuss two instructional strategies and the theory behind the effectiveness of each.
Exercise one evaluates social development and behavior knowledge for teachers of students with exceptional needs, exercise two evaluates the candidate's knowledge of numeracy skills as is relevant to instruction, and exercise three asks the candidate to demonstrate his knowledge of literacy as it relates to the teaching of students with special needs.
Exercise four deals with the candidate's knowledge of transitions and career development. The teacher must describe a student and two factors to consider when determining the path of the student's career development.
The fifth exercise encompasses assessment and the candidate's knowledge of assessment as it relates to students with exceptional needs. Two types of assessments and the reasons behind the selection of each must be discussed.
The sixth assessment center exercise seeks to demonstrate the candidate's knowledge of collaboration in the field of special needs. The teacher must describe a student and choose two individuals with whom he would collaborate to meet the needs of the student. The exercise also requires a reflection of the effectiveness of this pairing.
National Board Certification is certainly not free. A $65 application fee is required to begin the process, and a $2,500 fee is required to begin submission of portfolio entries. Payment plans can be utilized and some support to help defray this investment may be available. Certification is good for 10 years, at which point there is a $1,250 renewal fee.
If a candidate does not pass all areas of portfolio and assessment, he has a 24-month window in which to retake any portion necessary to obtain certification. In order to resubmit any entry or exercise, the candidate must pay a $350 (per section) fee, along with a $15 application filing charge.
National Board Certification is a rigorous, time consuming and expensive process. However, the prestige and honor bestowed on those who achieve it may well be worth the effort.