[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 2 (Friday, January 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E25]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL BOARD-CERTIFIED TEACHERS IN LOW-PERFORMING 
                              SCHOOLS ACT

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                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 5, 2007

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
the National Board-Certified Teachers in Low-Performing Schools Act of 
2007.
  I have been pro-active in promoting professional teaching standards 
throughout my public service and strongly believe certification is more 
important now than ever.
  We know that schools in the United States are falling behind in the 
core subject areas of math and the sciences. Teacher certification is a 
step toward gaining ground against other nations as well as working to 
close the Achievement Gap here in our own nation.
  The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards provides 
America's teachers with high-quality training and professional 
certification. Research shows the benefits of this advanced credential.
  Students of certified teachers showed year-end testing improvements 
averaging 7 to 15 percent more than students learning from noncertified 
teachers.
  Another study by the University of North Carolina found that the 
depth of learning for students was greater in the classrooms of 
certified teachers. That is, these students show greater cognitive 
gains overall than students of non-certified teachers.
  I am convinced we must do more to encourage our dedicated teachers 
who are already in the classrooms.
  My legislation authorizes a pilot program to give teachers with 
certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching 
Standards a $5,000 annual stipend when they teach in a low-income 
school or a school that is underperforming.
  Professional teaching certification would improve education in the 
United States and help make our nation competitive and I am pleased for 
the opportunity to promote this certification in Congress.
  Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to introduce 
the legislation today.

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