INFORMATIONAL

  Teachers interested in becoming a candidate for National
  Board Certification are invited to submit the attached pre-
  candidacy application form to Sandra Aldrich, Teacher
  Education Development Specialist, Department of Education,
  by July 1, 1999.

  The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards was
  created in 1987 as a voluntary certification process for
  teachers and is designed to complement, not replace, initial
  state licensure. Individuals interested in seeking National
  Board Certification must have an earned baccalaureate degree
  from an accredited institution, have completed three years
  of successful teaching experience, and be employed as a
  teacher in Virginia.

  During the 1998 General Assembly session, funding was
  appropriated to continue the incentive grant program for
  teachers seeking certification from the National Board for
  Professional Teaching Standards. This funding provides
  $1,000 grants to pay half of the $2,000 application fee. In
  addition to the General Assembly funding, the Virginia
  Department of Education has received a Candidate Subsidy
  Grant from the National Board which will fund the remaining
  $1,000 per applicant.

  A teleconference on the application process is scheduled for
  May 26, 1999, from 3-4 p.m. at the following Virginia sites:

  Bristol                            Manassas                   
  Virginia High School               Grace E. Metz Jr. High
  1200 Long Crescent Drive           9700 Fairview Avenue        

  Melfa                              Norfolk
  Eastern Shore Community College    Granby High School  
  29300 Lankford Highway             7101 Granby Street

  Roanoke                            Bridgewater
  Governor's School for Science      (Rockingham County)
    and Technology                   Turner Ashby High School
  2104 Grandin Road                  800 North Main Street

  South Boston                       Marion
  Halifax County High School         Marion Sr. High School 
  Highway 129                        848 Stage Street

  Richmond (Henrico County)          West Point
  Varina High School                 West Point High School
  7053 Messer Road                   2700 Mattaponi Avenue    

  Teachers interested in participating in the teleconference
  or receiving additional information on the National Board
  Certification process may contact Sandra Aldrich at(804)225-2096
  or saldrich@pen.k12.va.us. 

  PDS/sa
  Attachment:  A hard copy of this memo and its attach-
               ment will be sent to the superintendent's
               office.