Updates made in the Early Childhood and Middle Childhood Generalist Portfolios

I want to let you all know so that you can communicate to your fellow Candidate Support Providers the upcoming changes to the Early Childhood (EC) and Middle Childhood (MC) Generalist Portfolio Entry 3 directions. Before the end of this week NBPTS will begin distributing this information to candidates in those certificate areas. In our ongoing efforts to improve candidate information, we have made these directions clearer without changing the scope of the portfolio by :

· Referencing “unifying concepts and processes in science” instead of “big ideas in science;”

·Integrating the stand alone section of the EC and MC Generalist portfolio directions that addresses unifying concepts and processes in science (currently titled “Big Ideas in Science”) into the Portfolio Entry 3 directions;

· Linking terminology used in the NBPTS Standards, the portfolio directions, and the National Science Education Standards;

·Using more consistent language in relating to the unifying concepts and processes and examples; and

·Providing more detailed guidance and developmentally appropriate examples in the Early Childhood Generalist directions.

These revised portfolio instructions will be provided to candidates who have already received their portfolio materials, as well as those who will be receiving their materials in the near future.

Best,Jolynn TarwaterNBCT-in-ResidenceNational Board for Professional Teaching Standards