LOS ANGELES, March 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) have partnered to help mathematics and science teachers in underprivileged schools strengthen their skills and make a lasting impact on their students.
The unique initiative is designed to increase the number of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in targeted regions throughout the country by providing financial support for teachers interested in pursuing National Board Certification.
"As our nation's information-based economy becomes increasingly dependent on math and science education, this initiative will serve as a catalyst in developing a cadre of National Board Certified Teachers in these two important areas of curriculum," said Cheryl Horn, manager of community relations for Northrop Grumman. "National Board Certification is the hallmark of excellence for teachers. We are proud to partner with the NBPTS and support its mission of raising student achievement by building the teaching profession."
This teacher quality initiative will also support teachers interested in enrolling in one portion of the prestigious certification process. Take One! is a program offered by NBPTS that can serve either as a standalone professional development opportunity or as an initial step in candidacy for National Board Certification.
"All of us at the Nation Board are grateful to Northrop Grumman for coming forward and supporting this important program that will help math and science teaching throughout the country," said Joseph A. Aguerrebere, NBPTS president and chief executive officer. "This partnership exemplifies the continuing support and commitment to National Board Certification and the belief that the single most important action we can take for our children is to improve our schools and student learning by strengthening teaching."
Funding will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis to teachers at schools where 50 percent or more of the students receive free or reduced lunches in the following locations: Huntsville, Ala.; southern California from San Diego to Los Angeles; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Melbourne, Fla.; St. Augustine, Fla.; Baltimore, Md.; Louisiana and Mississippi Delta regions; Long Island region in New York; Washington D.C.; and the Hampton Roads, Newport News, and Northern Virginia regions.
To date, 22 Northrop Grumman scholarships have been awarded.
National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to identify great teachers and make them even more effective. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, NBCTs have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete.
As part of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, videotapes and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Additionally, teachers are assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach.
Currently, there are nearly 64,000 NBCTs across the country. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and more than 700 local school districts recognize National Board Certification as a mark of distinction, similar to the way the medical and accounting professions recognize expertise.
NBPTS is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan and nongovernmental organization. It was formed in 1987 to advance the quality of teaching and learning by developing professional standards for accomplished teaching, creating a voluntary system to certify teachers who meet those standards and integrating certified teachers into educational reform efforts.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.