This board was created in 1987 to develop professional standards for quality teaching. The mission of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is to advance the quality of teaching and learning by maintaining high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. The process of achieving National Board Certification is long and demanding. The process includes performance based assessments, written reflection analysis of student work, computerized assessment exercises and videotaped lessons which demonstrate standards of accomplished teaching. National Board Certification is the height of teaching excellence.