Despite limited research on the use and impact of financial incentives for National Board Certification, financial incentives and award policies have increasingly been adopted at the national, state, and local level to encourage teachers to pursue certification. This study explores the use of financial incentives for National Board Certification, focusing on why teachers pursue certification; the impact of linking pay to certification; and the effects of Board Certification on the teacher, school, and district. Findings suggest that the presence and source of a pay incentive helped to shape interest, understanding, and appreciation of the Board Certification process among teachers and administrators. Consistent with other studies, our data suggest that the process of undertaking the National Board Certification assessment represents a significant professional growth experience for teachers. Implications for policy makers are discussed.
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