Early Adolescence/Science
Credential: Early Adolescence/Science
Credentialing Agency: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Renewal Period: 5 years
The Early Adolescence/Science certification is appropriate for teachers who teach students ages 11-15 and who know the full range of the school science curriculum: physical sciences, life sciences, and earth and space sciences. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, have a minimum of three years of teaching experience at the early childhood, elementary, middle school, or high school level, and where it is required, hold a state teaching license. Candidates must pass a computer-based assessment and submit three portfolio entries.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Early Adolescence/Science
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite: state teaching license
- Experience: 3 years
- Education: Bachelors
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY
Renewal Period: 5 years
AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
1525 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 700
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: (703) 465-2700
Fax: (703) 465-2715
Contact Page
Credential Pre-requisite REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must possess a valid state teaching or counseling license. Exception: If the candidate is teaching where a license is not required, he/she must have taught in schools recognized and approved to operate by the state.
Education and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Candidates must have a minimum of three years teaching experience at the early childhood, elementary, middle school, or high school level.
Written Exam
Content knowledge is assessed through the completion of approximately 45 selected response items and three constructed response exercises.
-
Knowledge of Science Practices and Context (30%)
- Nature of Science
- Understanding of Inquiry
- Context of Science
-
Knowledge of Science Content (50%)
- Earth and Space Science
- Life Science
- Physical Science
-
Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning Environment (20%)
- Crosscutting Principles
- Assessing and Addressing Preconceptions
- Safety
-
Constructed Response: Data Analysis
- In this exercise, candidates will use their knowledge of science to read a description of a student-designed experiment, study a student collection of data, and analyze a student conclusion concerning the experiment.
-
Constructed Response: Contexts of Science
- In this exercise, candidates will use their knowledge of science to describe a scientific event or discovery and discuss the scientific knowledge necessary to understand the event or discovery, explain how another science discipline is related to the event or discovery, and describe how the event or discovery has affected society.
-
Constructed Response: Development of Scientific Concepts
- In this exercise, candidates will demonstrate their knowledge of scientific conceptual development by evaluating and describing a student’s conceptual understanding of scientific concepts, and by describing instruction that would help move the student toward the accepted understanding of the scientific concept.
Performance Exam Requirements
In addition to the computer-based assessment, candidates for National Board Certification are required to complete three portfolio entries, which are submitted online.
The topics for the portfolio entries are as follows:
- Differentiation Instruction
- This classroom-based portfolio entry is primarily comprised of samples of student work and an accompanying written commentary.
- Teaching Practice and Learning Environment
- This is a classroom-based portfolio entry that requires video recordings of interactions between the candidate and his/her students.
- Effective and Reflective Practitioner
- This portfolio entry requires examples of assessments used for formative and summative purposes.
Exam Preparation Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Early Adolescence/Science examination:
-
Best Sources
- Candidate FAQs
- Candidate Resources
- Early Adolescence/Science - Component 1
- Early Adolescence/Science - Component 2
- Early Adolescence/Science - Component 3
- Early Adolescence/Science - Component 4
- Guide to National Board Certification
- NBCT Certification Renewal - Profile of Professional Growth
- Renewal at a Glance
- Renewal Guide to Board Certification
- Science Standards
RECERTIFICATION
Early Adolescence/Science
Renewal Period: 5 years