Education

State Journal

January 17, 2001 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

Paying a premium

Washington state teachers who are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards would see a 15 percent pay increase under a proposal that Gov. Gary Locke plans to present to the legislature during the session that convened last week.

The salary supplement would represent the most generous offered by any state and a significant increase over what Washington offers now, according to NBPTS spokeswoman Nancy Schwartz.

Gov. Gary Locke

Washington teachers who complete the rigorous, voluntary certification process now earn a $3,500 annual bonus. The state also gives teachers attempting national certification a $1,000 subsidy to help cover the $2,300 fee charged by the privately organized board to enter the yearlong process.

The Democratic governor also announced $1.5 million in foundation and corporate grants to help up to 600 teachers go through the certification process over the next four years.

“This is great news for students, who benefit from energized and well- prepared teachers,” state schools Superintendent Terry Bergeson said of the pay proposal.

Thirty-nine states give some incentive to pursue the certification— such as helping teachers pay the fee or freeing them from some duties—and 29 states provide extra pay to teachers who win certification, which is good for 10 years. Some offer lump-sum bonuses, while others provide supplements based on a percentage of the educator’s salary.

If the legislature approves Mr. Locke’s plan, Washington state will offer the highest such percentage. Currently, North Carolina holds that status, giving board-certified educators a 12 percent pay supplement. The Tar Heel State has by far the most board- certified teachers in the nation, with 2,407 of the nationwide total of 9,524.

Washington has just 67 teachers who are board-certified, including 42 who earned that status last year.

—Andrew Trotter

A version of this article appeared in the January 17, 2001 edition of Education Week

Events

Jobs Virtual Career Fair for Teachers and K-12 Staff
Find teaching jobs and other jobs in K-12 education at the EdWeek Top School Jobs virtual career fair.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Briefly Stated: October 11, 2023
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Briefly Stated: September 27, 2023
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read
Education Briefly Stated: September 20, 2023
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education From Our Research Center What's on the Minds of Educators, in Charts
Politics, gender equity, and technology—how teachers and administrators say these issues are affecting the field.
1 min read
Stylized illustration of a pie chart
Traci Daberko for Education Week