Almost 8,500 teachers earned advanced certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards this year, representing the largest increase in the history of the Arlington, Va.-based board.
The number of newly credentialed teachers rose 8.6 percent over the number in 2006, the organization reported. Twenty-five states had at least a 20 percent increase in the number of teachers earning the credential.
More than 63,800 teachers in all have achieved the certification, first granted in the 1993-94 school year and available only to experienced teachers.
The certification process entails extensive documentation of classroom practice, as well as a written test of subject matter and teaching methods.
For background, previous stories, and Web links, read Teacher Quality.
