National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Inc.

“The following changes were made to the organization's bylaws: 1. Change "classes" of directors to "cohorts" of director. 2. Change in terms of service on the board to 3 year terms, not to exceed 9 years. 3. Change to require that either the chair or vice chair shall be a director who is also a teaching professional and or an nbct.”

“The 990 is prepared by the National Board's accounting firm, with close coordination of the Finance & Accounting Department. The draft Return is thoroughly reviewed by the Chief Financial Officer and the President & CEO before acceptance for electronic filing. At the point at which the Return can be filed, a copy is posted on a secure web site for members of the Board of Directors to view. Comments may be addressed to NBPTS staff by members of the Board of Directors. After the comment period, the Return is electronically filed.”

“Board of Director members annually receive a list of substantial vendors and disclose any dealings with or interests in those vendors. Board members are expected to recuse themselves from any deliberations or votes where a conflict of interest may occur. Staff, including those whose positions are as corporate officers, are not required to make annual disclosures. Executive Committee of the Board is required to approve all contracts in excess of $250,000.”

“The CEO is a contract position whose duties and responsibilities are determined, supervised, and measured by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Typically, an executive search firm is engaged to manage and oversee the selection process of the CEO position. The Executive Committee of the Board engages an independent compensation consultant to make recommendations as to appropriate compensation levels for the CEO, based on compensation of CEOs in similarly sized and located organizations. Deliberations and minutes of the Executive Committee are kept in the organization's records. NBPTS hires employees, including those at an officer or executive level, at market rates and provides salary increases based on equity adjustments and/or cost of living. NBPTS periodically compares salaries for its positions to external sources and uses the results of this review to make adjustments to correct market imbalances. Salary information for all levels of employees is provided annually to the Finance Committee.”

“NBPTS included its revised bylaws with its 2006 Form 990, which is available to the public on guidestar.org. Individuals seeking a copy of the bylaws may contact NBPTS and a copy will be sent free of charge. The Conflict of Interest policy is an internal Board document and is not made available to the public. Financial statements are made available to entities who have a valid purpose for obtaining such information.”

“Standards, assessment and new products and services the national board's work in this area focuses on the development and revision of national board standards, which are created by teacher, for teachers; the redesign and operation of national board certification, the profession's performance assessment for accomplished teaching; and the development and operation of atlas. National board certification is similar to board certification in other fields, such as medicine; a rigorous, performance-based, peer-review process enables teachers to demonstrate that they meet the profession's highest standards of accomplished practice. During 2016, the national board celebrated more than 112,000 national board certified teachers (nbcts) across the country. These accomplished educators are advancing student learning and achievement, representing all 50 states and 25 certificate areas, from pre-k through 12th grade. In 2016, the national board continued progressing through a major redesign of board certification to make it more flexible and accessible to teachers; this redesign will be complete by the end of 2017. The national board developed atlas (accomplished teaching, learning and schools), a major new resource designed to help spread accomplished teaching throughout the profession. Atlas is a unique online library of videos showing nbcts at work in their classrooms, paired with their own written commentary on their instruction and students' learning. The national board has built and maintains partnerships with states and districts to embed atlas as a support to teachers across the educator career continuum.”

“Outreach and engagement the national board engages national board certified teachers across the country to advance accomplished teaching and to support their leadership role in elevating the profession. In 2016, the national board worked with more than 50 affiliated nbct networks, comprised of groups of nbcts in regions and states working to advance accomplished teaching in awareness, policy, and practice. Each summer, the national board academy brings these advocates together to share successes and plan for the year ahead. In 2016, the national board also worked in partnerships to increase teacher leadership through the teacher leadership initiative and teach to lead.”

“Policy and strategic projects the national board is active in education policy discussions in many states, at the federal level, and with national partners. Through these policy efforts, the national board works to engage policy makers in boards of education, state legislatures, congress and nonprofits working to promote excellence in teaching and learning. In addition, the national board undertakes strategic projects to advance innovation and equity to more rapidly bring accomplished teaching to students who need it most. These projects are funded through a mix of federal and foundation sources.”

“TIF CONTRACT PAYMENTS, ATLAS DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER: Program service expenses 8,868,203. Management and general expenses 11,010. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 8,879,213.”

“The organization has not changed it audit review process or it independent accountant selection process.”