SR0308 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0308 LRB104 13529 ECR 25999 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards was established to advance the quality of teaching and learning by developing rigorous standards for accomplished teaching, and Illinois became one of the first states to support this initiative by creating the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program for National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in 1999; and

WHEREAS, The year 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of National Board Certification in Illinois, recognizing a quarter century of commitment to teaching excellence, educational leadership, and student achievement across the State; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Teaching Excellence Program has been instrumental in promoting National Board Certification, supporting teacher candidates throughout the rigorous certification process, and advocating for professional development and leadership opportunities for Illinois educators; and

WHEREAS, National Board Certification represents the highest standard of the teaching profession, with candidates demonstrating expertise across content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and reflective teaching practices; and

WHEREAS, Research consistently demonstrates that students of NBCTs achieve higher academic gains, with particularly strong impacts in high-needs and Title I schools; and

WHEREAS, Illinois currently ranks among the top states in the nation for the number of National Board Certified teachers, with over 7,000 NBCTs statewide working across public schools, charter schools, and educational cooperatives; and

WHEREAS, The State Board of Education and the General Assembly have both supported certification through candidate subsidies, incentives, and recognition programs, affirming the State's investment in teaching quality and student outcomes; and

WHEREAS, NBCTs in Illinois often serve in critical leadership roles, such as mentors, instructional coaches, administrators, and policy advocates, leading to the elevation of the profession while improving school performance; and

WHEREAS, NBCTs are also noted for their longevity and dedication, contributing to higher teacher retention rates, thereby helping to address workforce shortages and strengthen educational continuity for Illinois students; and

WHEREAS, In 2024 alone, Illinois had 94 new teachers achieve National Board Certification and 206 NBCTs renew their certification, reflecting the ongoing growth and impact of the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program in the State; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare September 2, 2025 as National Board Certified Teachers Recognition Day in the State of Illinois in celebration of the 25th anniversary of National Board Certification in Illinois and in recognition of the contributions and accomplishments of National Board Certified Teachers across the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Governor, the State Superintendent of Education, the National Board Resource Center at Illinois State University, and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as a symbol of our esteem and respect.