Godley ISD and Tarleton State outline two‑year pathway for National Board certification and a master’s degree for teachers

Godley Independent School District officials and representatives from Tarleton State University presented a planned partnership to support teachers pursuing National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification and to allow the same coursework to count toward a two‑year master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.

The proposal, presented to the board by district staff and Tarleton faculty, would offer a hybrid program of coursework and faculty mentoring across two years, with a summer session included. “This partnership actually came as a conversation in my beginning of the year goal setting meeting,” Doctor Nix said, describing district leadership’s request for a higher‑education partner to help teachers access Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) funding through National Board certification.

Why it matters: National Board certification is a rigorous, teacher‑led assessment process that the district says can make more teachers eligible for TIA funds and for other stipends. District and Tarleton presenters argued the combined credential would provide both professional development and a financial incentive to retain teachers in the district.

What presenters described: Amy Grover, a fifth‑grade teacher at Legacy Elementary who is completing the National Board process, described the workload and structure of certification: “It is a very intensive process. It takes about 2 to 3 years normally to complete. It takes 200 hours outside of school hours to complete.” Dr. Lady Weltman, identified as an assistant professor at Tarleton, said her team cross‑walked National Board components to Tarleton coursework and proposed a hybrid schedule with some required face‑to‑face sessions.

Estimated costs and incentives: Tarleton and district staff outlined costs and potential offsets. Each National Board component carries a registration fee and a $495 component fee; the state reimburses component fees when a component is passed. Tarleton staff said scholarships and early‑registration discounts will be pursued; Doctor Leach (Tarleton) said the university had identified roughly $19,000 in scholarship funds for early enrollees. District and university presenters estimated Teacher Incentive Allotment payments for successful National Board teachers at roughly $5,000–$5,500 annually, and the district said it would add a $1,000 district stipend, creating an estimated $6,000–$6,500 annual gain for participating teachers. Tarleton faculty said that, using those payments, course costs could be recovered within about two years after certification.

Program logistics and supports: Tarleton’s proposed schedule is two academic years plus a summer term, using semester‑long courses with two short 8‑week courses in the second fall to match National Board components. The university will provide one‑on‑one coaching and periodic in‑person meetings; the district plans to allow flex professional days and cohort meetings on design days to reduce classroom disruption. District staff reported approximately 30 teachers had already expressed interest in the program.

Board action: Board members did not vote on this item; presenters said the information was provided for the board’s awareness and that the program would begin in the fall if teachers enroll and funding is secured. Doctor Lynch (Tarleton, College of Education) said the district is the initial pilot partner for the program.

Ending note: District staff and Tarleton faculty asked teachers to register early to access university scholarships; district staff said they would present implementation details and enrollment information through staff communications and upcoming design‑day meetings.