Whereas National Board Certification is based on rigorous standards developed by teachers for teachers to demonstrate the ability of teachers to advance student learning and achievement; Whereas research shows that students taught by National Board Certified Teachers learn more, especially in the case of low-income students; Whereas National Board Certified Teachers often positively amplify their expertise by serving in leadership roles as teacher mentors, principals, administrators, and district leaders; Whereas National Board Certified Teachers rank National Board Certification as their most important ongoing formal education, above graduate-level coursework and other training programs; Whereas National Board Certified Teachers are among the thousands of educators around the United States who play a critical role in addressing the learning loss incurred during the COVID–19 pandemic; Whereas 29 States provide salary incentives for National Board Certified Teachers, including 13 States that prioritize incentives in high-needs schools; Whereas 44 percent of National Board Certified Teachers serve students in schools receiving support under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq. ); Whereas, in 2023, 3,527 teachers earned their National Board Certification for the first time and 6,697 teachers successfully maintained their certification, benefitting thousands of students across the country; and Whereas, as of January 2024, there are a total of 137,015 teachers who have achieved National Board Certification: Now, therefore, be it