Maine educators are encouraged to apply to and enroll in the certification program offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, or its successor organization. This is courtesy of State law, 20-A MRSA Section 13013-A subsection 5 & 6; as amended by PL 2012 c. 702, which established the National Board Certification Scholarship Fund.
In fiscal year 2015-16 Maine DOE is set to allocate $75,000 to the scholarship fund for some 30 educators. The Department shall award an amount equal to the cost of the certification program less any other funds received by the applicant on a first-come, first-served basis for teachers accepted into the certification program annually.
A school administrative unit, or a publicly supported secondary school, may request scholarship funds on behalf of its teachers who meet the requirements.
More information and eligibility requirements are available here. For questions contact Maine DOE’s Paula Gravelle at paula.b.gravelle@maine.gov or 624-6792.