Certified Board Member (CBM)
History and Purpose
MSBA originated the Certified Board Member (CBM) program as a structured training program in 1989. The state of Missouri affirmed this need for leadership training by making board orientation mandatory as part of the Outstanding School Act in 1993. Since that time, nearly 6,000 Missouri board members have become certified through the CBM program, and newly elected and veteran board members participate in MSBA educational programs every year.
The Certified Board Member (CBM) Program
Missouri's Outstanding School's Act requires all school board members to receive 16 hours of training, within their first 12 months of service. The CBM program offers Essential Board Member Certification, which fulfills this requirement and provides the foundation for becoming an effective board member. In addition to the Essential Board Member Certification, MSBA offers Advanced and Master level certification for board members who wish to obtain information on additional education issues. The CBM program is funded by a grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Classes are provided free of charge to all CBM participants.
Essential Board Member Certification
The Essential Board Member Certification fulfills the state mandated 16 hour requirement for board member training in Missouri. Topics included in Essential Board Member Certification provide the foundation for becoming an effective board member. Topics included in the 16 hours are listed below:
- Student Achievement
- School Law
- School Finance
- Board Policy
- Board Relations
- Board Operations
- Goal Setting
- Advocacy
- Working with the Media
Advanced/Master Certification Requirements
All CBM credit-bearing coursework is designated in one of four study tracks, or "strands":
- Student Achievement
- Board Governance and Operations
- School Law and School Finance
- Contemporary Issues in Education
Board members pursuing certification beyond Essential should start by choosing one of those four strands as their focus.
The CBM credit requirement is 12 additional hours for each additional degree, so:
- Essential = 16 hours
- Advanced = Essential (16 credits) + 12 additional credits (28 CBM credits total)
- Master = Essential (16 credits) + Advanced (12 credits) + 12 additional credits (40 CBM credits total)
The Advanced certification requires that at least four of its twelve additional credits be accrued within the topic area of the chosen focus strand.
The Master certification requires that at least six of its twelve additional credits be accrued within the topic area of the chosen focus strand.
Board members may choose different focus strands at the Advanced and Master level, or they may pursue the same focus strands through both levels of certification.
The reading requirement is two books on educational or board governance topics at each of the Advanced and Master levels.
Reading Requirement
One of the two books read to satisfy the Advanced reading requirement must be within the focus strand.
Both of the two books read to satisfy the Master reading requirement must be within the focus strand.
Board members are encouraged to select educational or board governance books for themselves, and are reminded of a few requirements:
The book should focus on Education-related or Board Governance-related subject matter
The book should be published within the last ten years (exceptions by permission)
Board members should be able to relate information from the book to their board service
A list of approved books is available from MSBA's Academy of Public School Governance for those who prefer not to select their own titles.
MSBA appreciates the willingness of board members to recommend helpful education and board governance texts for others' benefit.
The writing requirement applies to both Advanced and Master Levels of study.
Writing Requirement
Advanced certification now requires a brief writing of one to three pages in length. The Advanced writing should make a connection between the board member's service or district and the topics explored in CBM coursework, especially those within the focus strand.
Master certification requires a brief writing of one to three pages in length. The Master essay should connect topic(s) from the focus strand to the board member's service in the district, by showing how the board member has converted awareness gained through CBM study to informed action in board service.
Additional questions regarding the writing requirement should be forwarded to MSBA's Academy of Public School Governance.
The attendance requirement
Members are required to attend two MSBA core meetings (one attended within the year of final application) for Advanced certification, and they must attend at least two more core meetings (again, at least one attended within the year of final application) for Master Certification.
Core meetings include MSBA Spring or Fall Regional Meetings, MSBA Annual Conference, MSBA Legislative Forum, NSBA Annual Conference, and MSBA Leadership Summit.
MSBA's Academy of Public School Governance welcomes your input regarding these standards or other CBM-related issues at (800) 221-6722, ext. 329.
How Do I Get Started?
Registration and Additional Information - To register for the session of your choice, or to receive more information about upcoming sessions, call MSBA's Board Development Department at 1-800-221-6722 ext. 329; fax to 573-445-9981; or email boarddev@msbanet.org.
Fees - Courses offered through MSBA's CBM program are provided free of charge through funding by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Travel/Lodging - Board members are responsible for their own travel and lodging. Those in need of special accommodations should contact the MSBA meeting planner at 1-800-221-6722.
Persons With Disabilities - Please call 1-800-221-6722 at least two weeks prior to the session if you need any accommodations in order to participate. Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate individuals with special needs.
Why is the CBM Program Unique?
Unlike other programs, CBM offers much more than the required 16 hours of state mandated training for new board members. CBM provides school board members and administrators with the valuable legal, educational, and policy resources to needed confront perplexing educational issues in the twenty-first century.
CBM Offers:
- Peer Teaching
- Curriculum designed, developed, and updated by school board members.
- Strategically located workshops allow new board members to meet and network with school board members from all regions of the state.
- Panels of experienced board members and superintendents provide the opportunity to have your questions answered by veterans in the field.
- Up-To-Date Legal Information
- Discussion of the legal obligations and liabilities of board members.
- Basic information about state and federal law that directly impacts public schools.
- Legal advice for individual school districts.
- Board Member Basics
- Learn Basic Responsibilities and Duties of Board Members
- Learn What Your District Can Do to Increase Student Achievement
- Policy in Practice
- Work with Other School Districts to Maintain Local Control of Public Schools
- Learn About Legislative Issues that Effect Board Members
- Participate in a Hands-On Approach to Analyzing Policy
- Understand the Lobbying Process
- Follow Up
- Contact MSBA at any time during or after your CBM training for advice
- or to arrange personalized workshops for your district.