Hoping to boost teacher quality, Southern states lead the nation in the number of teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. These totals are as of Dec. 3, 2003.
| Certificates Issued | State Incentives for Teachers With NBPTS Certification** | |
| Alabama | 632 | $5000 bonus upon initial certification. $5000 annually for the life of the certificate. |
| Arkansas | 183 | Initial bonus increased to $5000 by 2005. Annual bonus of $2000 for the life of the certificate. |
| Delaware | 206 | Annual bonus of 12 percent of the state portion of salary for the life of the certificate. |
| Florida | 4,940 | Annual bonus of 10 percent of the prior year’s average statewide salary for teachers for the life of the certificate. |
| Georgia | 1,323 | 10 percent of the state portion of salary annually for the life of the certificate (calculated annually). |
| Kentucky | 537 | $2000 annually for the life of the certificate. |
| Louisiana | 337 | $5000 annually for the life of the certificate. |
| Maryland | 334 | State will provide matching funds, up to $2000, for the bonuses provided by local boards (Bonuses vary by school system.) |
| Mississippi | 1,761 | $6000 annually for the life of the certificate. |
| North Carolina | 6,641 | 12 percent of the state portion of salary annually for the life of the certificate (calculated annually.) |
| Oklahoma | 858 | $5000 annually for the life of the certificate. Bonus will increase to $7000 when funding is available. |
| South Carolina | 3,225 | $2000 bonus upon initial certification. $7500 annually for the life of the certificate. |
| Tennessee | 91 | No monetary bonus provided by the state. |
| Texas | 141 | No monetary bonus provided by the state. |
| Virginia | 552 | $5000 bonus upon initial certification. $2500 annually for the life of the certificate. |
| West Virginia | 151 | $2500 annually for the life of the certificate. |
| SREB States | 21,912 | |
| United States* | 32,131 |
*Includes “others” (teachers who did not provide city of state information), teachers with multiple certificates, and those who are deceased.
**Bonuses and incentives in some states may be affected by the economy.
SOURCE: Southern Regional Education Board
