A national certificate. (teaching certificate)

Six years ago, we started talking about a national teaching certificate. A new board, The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, was charged with developing the concept and making it a reality.

The Board's mission is nearly accomplished - we're not far from seeing the first teachers become nationally certified.

Beginning this fall, English and language arts teachers, as well as generalist teachers of students ages 11 to 15, can start the assessment process that will lead to Board certification probably next year.

The National Board predicts that certification for all fields will be finalized by 1998.

Early reports from those …