Teacher Certification Program

The Commission on Independent Schools (CIS) approved implementation of the NEASC Teacher Certification Program at its meeting on February 6, 2012. This is an optional, school-based program that is designed as a complement to and in the spirit of CIS accreditation. Schools are invited to develop their own programs, within the parameters set by CIS, that are consistent with their mission, appropriate for their faculty, and affordable within their available resources.

CIS offers this program designed specifically for independent schools for two primary reasons. Most immediately, the Commission believes that many of the individual components of evaluation and professional development that member schools already have in place would be strengthened if they were better coordinated and integrated into a coherent program such as school-based teacher certification.

Longer range, the Commission notes that the national dialogue about education is focusing more on the quality of teaching, evaluation of teachers, and measurements of accountability. In this environment, the Commission believes it can be helpful to member schools by sponsoring a school-based teacher certification program that preserves the independence of the school, honors the professionalism of the faculty, and will command the respect of various school constituencies.

The Commission intends to minimize the cost to schools of this program by incorporating its on-site reviews into the accreditation cycle when possible. A modest annual fee will be charged beginning in 2013-14 to cover the expenses of the Teacher Certification Committee and the administrative costs of keeping records of certified teachers and tracking the reviews of school programs.

Schools interested in piloting this initiative in 2012-13 should apply for Commission approval of their program.

General information about the program
Application materials
Sample completed applications
Information on related conferences/workshops