Rewarding good teachers in tough times could take a hit

From a NBCT in Washington State:

"National Board Certification is a voluntary process whereby teachers evaluate teachers. I certified last year. Currently, about 8% of teachers in Washington have achieved this status. NBCT's study hard and become specialists who use the reflective process to pinpoint areas that students' struggle. We can zero in on misconceptions and correct them. We also learn strategies to engage parents in the schools, and make them feel part of the education process. Finally, we are teacher leaders in the schools who work analyzing data and developing plans to improve the delivery of education throughout our buildings and districts. Test scores do not measure the extent of our influence. Respect for our hard-won experience and insights might be more than monetary, but in our culture we at least pay lip service to the need for a quality teacher in every classroom. NBCT's are quality teachers and do deserve every penny they have earned!"