National Board to fast-track literacy standard updates to align with science of reading

Representatives of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards told the joint meeting that they will execute an accelerated "contemporary relevance check" to update reading and literacy language in National Board standards so they align with the science of reading.

Joe Doctor, Kristen Hamilton and Susan Lopez Bailey explained the short‑term revision will reissue three literacy‑related standards (early childhood generalist, literacy/ELA K–12, middle childhood generalist) for publication in September so candidates and educators can see the changes in time for the 2024–25 school year. The National Board said the process will preserve professional validity and legal defensibility by convening expert committees, passing governing‑board approvals and documenting evidence and consensus. A fuller standards revision is slated to begin in 2025.

The Board's presentation was framed by Maryland's adoption of the Blueprint and by the state's interest in the science of reading. National Board staff said they will publish a crosswalk showing how updated National Board standards align with state policy and that maintenance‑of‑certification cycles will use current standards as they are revised.

State board and AIB members asked whether the changes would alter assessment items or teacher portfolio rubrics. National Board officials said the contemporary check is expected to create minimal immediate impacts to assessment instructions but that full revisions could lead to more substantive changes in rubrics and assessment items.

The National Board said it is already collaborating with MSDE staff to recruit Maryland educators to participate in committees and reviews. Maryland leaders expressed appreciation and urged continuing two‑way communication during the revision and rollout.