The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in collaboration with Harding University has created the 2021 National Board Certified Teacher Pilot Academy.  The pilots aims to prepare currently licensed Arkansas teachers to pursue and achieve National Board Certification obtained through National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).  The purpose of the National Board Certified Teacher Pilot Academy is to increase the number of National Board Certified Teachers in areas of Arkansas where there are 5% or fewer National Board Certified Teachers employed in the public schools by Educational Service Cooperative areas.

Arkansas educators holding a standard license, with a minimum of three (3) years of teaching experience in an Arkansas public school and currently teaching in an Arkansas public school in one of the following Arkansas Education Service Cooperatives are eligible for the NBCT Academy beginning Fall 2021: Ozark Unlimited, North Central, Northeast, Great Rivers, Arkansas River, Southeast, South Central, Southwest, or Dequeen/Mena. 

The National Board Certified Teacher Pilot Academy will provide the opportunity to earn eight (8) graduate credits related to National Board Candidacy including instruction, support and completion of the NBPTS four (4) Components. All tuition and fees associated with the academy are covered by the partnership grant.  All travel related costs are the sole responsibility of the applicant.  Additional details, including how to apply, may be found at the following link: https://www.harding.edu/academics/colleges-departments/education/national-board