Middle Childhood/Generalist
Credential: Middle Childhood/Generalist
Credentialing Agency: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Renewal Period: 5 years
The Middle Childhood/Generalist certification is appropriate for teachers who teach students ages 7-12 and who know the range of the middle grades curriculum: language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and history, the arts, and health. Regardless of assignment, all Generalists practice in a manner designed to advance student learning in two or more subjects. 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.
Middle Childhood/Generalist
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.
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English Language Arts, the Arts, and Health and Wellness (30%)
- Balanced Literacy
- Choosing Texts
- Analyzing Texts
- Value and Purposes of Visual and Performing Arts through Cross-Curricular Contexts
- Health Enhancing Skills
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Science and Mathematics (35%)
- Number Sense and Algebraic Thinking
- Geometry
- Data Analysis
- Knowledge of Science Domains: Life, Earth/Space, and Physical Sciences
- Vocabulary of Science
- Misconceptions and Evolution of Scientific Thinking
- Science Tools, Models, and Representations and Engineering Design Principles
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Social Studies (35%)
- Knowledge of Social Studies Content: History, Geography, Civics/Government, Economics
- Themes of Social Studies
- Primary and Secondary Sources and Critical Thinking in Social Studies
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Constructed Response: Supporting Reading Skills
- In this exercise, candidates will use their content and pedagogical knowledge of reading to analyze and interpret a transcript of a student’s oral reading of a given reading passage to identify a strength and a weakness in the student’s oral reading and to identify and justify appropriate strategies to support the student’s ongoing reading development.
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Constructed Response: Analyzing Student Work in Mathematics
- In this exercise, candidates will use their content and pedagogical knowledge of math to identify a major math misconception or error in a student’s work, identify appropriate concepts/skills the student needs to solve a problem accurately, provide an instructional strategy to address the student’s misconception or error, and provide a rationale for the strategy.
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Constructed Response: Making Connections in Science
- In this exercise, candidates will use their knowledge of fundamental science content, including a cross-curricular concept. Candidates will also demonstrate their knowledge of pedagogical appropriateness and describe a developmentally appropriate learning experience that will help students understand real-world phenomena.
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 Middle Childhood/Generalist examination:
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Best Sources
- Candidate FAQs
- Candidate Resources
- Guide to National Board Certification
- Middle Childhood Generalist Standards
- Middle Childhood/Generalist - Component 1
- Middle Childhood/Generalist - Component 2
- Middle Childhood/Generalist - Component 3
- Middle Childhood/Generalist - Component 4
- NBCT Certification Renewal - Profile of Professional Growth
- Renewal at a Glance
- Renewal Guide to Board Certification
RECERTIFICATION
Middle Childhood/Generalist
Renewal Period: 5 years