NEWS RELEASE

Release Date: December 16, 2009

Contact: James R. Minichello 703-465-2171 (cell) 202-360-9973 jminichello@nbpts.org
or Pete Smith, Communications Director 601-359-1336 psmith@mde.k12.ms.us

2009 Class of National Board Certified Teachers Advances Mississippi 's School Reform Movement; Mississippi Ranks 13th Nationally in 2009 Results

ARLINGTON , VA - Mississippi continues its progress in advancing the National Board Certification education reform movement with the announcement of 222 new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in 2009. The state ranked 13th nationwide in the number of teachers achieving board certification this year and ranks eighth in the total number of NBCTs over time (3,103).

An "extraordinary group," is how U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan referred to this year's class of National Board Certified Teachers in a September interview with NBPTS. He said teachers who achieved National Board Certification have "demonstrated a commitment to taking their teaching practice and the teaching profession to a different level."

"The leadership and example they're setting for the system is phenomenal," said Duncan . "What if every child had a chance to be taught by a National Board Certified Teacher? I think the difference it would make in students' lives would be extraordinary."

“We all know that the most important tool in every classroom is a highly qualified teacher,” Interim State Superintendent of Education Dr. John W. Jordan said. “I commend these teachers for their great achievement.”

Mississippi shows a 3 percent increase in the number of teachers who achieved National Board Certification in 2009 over last year.

Top Five School Mississippi School Districts (by total number of NBCTs)

School District Number of New NBCTs Total Number of NBCTs

Rankin County School District 12 145

Jackson Public School District 6 106

Tupelo Public School District 11 96

DeSoto County School District 7 86

Madison County School District 6 81

Mississippi NBCTs joined the ranks of nearly 8,900 accomplished teachers nationwide who achieved certification in 2009. This achievement brings the total number of teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) to more than 82,000.