North Carolina continues to lead the nation in the number of teachers who have earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), with 616 additional teachers gaining the endorsement in 2017.

The NBPTS also ranked the top 50 public and private universities and colleges with the highest number of alumni with the national credential. Appalachian State University took the top spot for the second year in a row.

Nearly 21,500 teachers in North Carolina have attained national certification, which is based on a rigorous performance-based assessment that typically takes from one to three years to complete and measures what accomplished teachers and counselors should know and be able to do.

Nationally, 5,470 teachers earned certification in 2016-17, raising the total among all states to more than 118,000. In addition, almost 3,957 teachers across the nation achieved recertification, including 890 board-certified teachers in North Carolina.

North Carolina accounts for nearly one-fifth, or 18 percent, of all teachers nationally who are certified by the teaching standards organization. Nationally certified teachers also account for a larger percentage of the total teaching force in North Carolina than any other state, with 21.6 percent having earned the credential.

Dr. Melba Spooner, dean of Appalachian’s Reich College of Education, commented on the achievement: “Since joining Appalachian’s Reich College of Education as dean, I have witnessed a commitment to excellence and collaboration among faculty and students and to rigorous and strong teacher preparation that supports and encourages lifelong learning and learners. Our ranking of first for NBCTs (National Board-certified teachers) two years in a row evidences these commitments.

“We are proud to lead the nation’s public and private universities and colleges with the highest number of alumni with the National Board certification credential. Our alumni embody the spirit of determination; they strive to make every classroom, not just better, but the best it can be for the students they teach and work with each day.”

Nine North Carolina universities and colleges were named among the top 50 schools with the highest number of alumni with the national credential:

• Appalachian State University ranked No. 1 (2,049 alumni)
• East Carolina University ranked second (2,027 alumni)
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked fourth (1,350 alumni)
• The University of North Carolina at Greensboro ranked fifth (1,335 alumni)
• The University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranked seventh (1,195 alumni)
• North Carolina State University ranked 18th (891 alumni)
• Western Carolina University ranked 20th (863 alumni)
• The University of North Carolina at Wilmington ranked 21st (826 alumni)
• Meredith College ranked 46th (442 alumni)

Appalachian State University was founded as a teachers college and continues to have one of the largest teacher education programs in North Carolina. School systems in all 100 North Carolina counties employ at least one Appalachian graduate.

About the Reich College of Education

Appalachian State University offers one of the largest undergraduate teacher preparation programs in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. The Reich College of Education enrolls more than 2,000 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree programs, with offerings that span multiple fields — from teacher preparation, counseling, and therapy, to higher education, school and student affairs administration, library science, educational leadership and more. With over 10,000 alumni employed in North Carolina public schools, there is at least one Reich College graduate in every county in the state. Learn more at https://rcoe.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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