The National Council on Teacher Quality and the Education Leaders Council have teamed up to launch a new project which will offer credentials to expert teachers and able would-be teachers. The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence will award a beginning teacher credential to highly skilled individuals just entering teaching who have mastered an academic subject and can demonstrate an understanding of classroom management techniques. A second, master-level credential will be awarded to experienced teachers who can demonstrate mastery of the subjects they teach and who also contribute to improved student learning. The new certification board, armed with a $5 million federal grant, was announced at the annual conference of the Education Leaders Council in Atlanta last week. For more see "Teacher Quality Board Formed," Gannett News Service, The Arizona Republic, September 29, 2001, http://www.arizonarepublic.com/news/articles/0929teachers29.html
