Continuing Professional

Continuing Professional

Development

For

Licensure Renewal

Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

465 Commercial St NE

Salem, OR 97301

Fourth Edition

2002

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Studies show that educators participate in continued professional development in order to enhance student learning. Educators wish to gain new skills that they may incorporate into their work with students.

Educators who hold Basic, Standard or Continuing Licenses are required to complete a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Plan in order to renew the license. This requirement does not apply to initial licenses. The Oregon CPD plan provides two options for the educator. One is a plan offered by the District. The second is an individual plan developed by the educator in collaboration with a supervisor or a CPD advisor. A CPD advisor may be a colleague, faculty member from an institution, or business or community member that is related to the activities of the plan and approved by the educator’s supervisor.

The plan should be portable so that an educator who moves or changes assignment may amend the plan. The plan should be comprehensive so that it has an effect for the educator in mastering new strategies and skills.

The educator will complete a form that identifies the CPD goals of the educator, the district and State, and will propose the activities necessary to fulfill the plan. At the conclusion of the cycle, the educator will reflect on the activities and how the plan has enhanced student learning. The advisor/supervisor will sign the form. The district will report "successful experience and completed CPD plan" on the Professional Educational Experience Report (PEER) Form when the educator applies for renewal of licensure.

Those applicants who renew a BASIC license will need to complete 75 Professional Development Units (PDUs). The applicants for renewal of STANDARD or CONTINUING licenses will need to complete 125 PDUs. The Proposal for the Professional Development Plan should be developed at the beginning of the licensure period. The required PDUs must be earned prior to application for renewal.

What is a PDU?

A Professional Development Unit equates to one clock hour. One quarter hour of college or university credit equals 20 PDUs. One semester hour of college or university credit equals 30 PDUs.

Effective Date

The CPD requirement became effective January 15, 2002 and is phased in as follows:

1. Educators renewing Basic, Standard or Continuing

Licenses in 2002 must complete 25 PDUs.

2. Educators renewing Basic, Standard or Continuing

Licenses in 2003 must complete 50 PDUs.

3. Educators renewing Basic, Standard or Continuing Licenses in 2004 must complete 75 PDUs. This brings those who hold a Basic License to the full requirement.

4. Educators renewing a Basic License in 2005 must complete 75 PDUs, the full requirement. Educators renewing Standard or Continuing Licenses must complete 100 PDUs.

5. Educators renewing Standard or Continuing Licenses in 2006 must meet the full requirement of 125 PDUs. Educators renewing Basic Licenses will complete 75 PDUs.

Standards

The Oregon Administrative Rules include the standards against which the individual and district plans are measured. OAR 584-90-001 states that all plans must have as their primary purpose increasing student learning by improving educator’s professional skills. Plans should assist educators to: 1) achieve district, State and national standards; 2) keep current with the development and use of best practices; and 3) develop ways to enhance learning for a diverse student body.

INTERPRETATION OF STANDARDS

1. District, State and National Standards

Educators will need to develop plans that relate to the current goals for learning in the district. This may include measurement of student proficiencies and, curriculum adaptation to meet the needs of a diverse student population. Usually the district goals directly relate to the State content standards.

2. Best Practice

Plans need to assist educators in keeping current in their respective fields and with teaching and learning methods, assessment strategies and classroom management.

3. Diverse Student Population.

Educators are working with very diverse student bodies. In a single classroom, teachers face students with learning disabilities, diverse ethnic backgrounds, and emotional problems. Educators need the background necessary to meet the needs of all of these diversities within the student population.

DOMAINS OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY

The professional development activities of an educator must be based on at least one of the six domains of professional competency. The domains are:

1. Subject matter or Specialty

The educator may gain more background in the specific endorsement area or in specialty areas such as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) or special education.

2. Assessment Strategies

The educator may develop new ways to assess learning. Examples of assessments are portfolios, demonstration performances, and written tests. An educator may work with the way assessment affects the curriculum design.

3. Methods and Curriculum

Educators may increase professional skills in classroom management, leadership, curriculum development, and administrative management.

4. Understanding Diversity

Educators may enhance ability to deal with diversity include understanding of learning abilities and styles, learning strategies, ethnic diversity, as well as economic diversity.

5. State and National Education Priority

The state and nation have set goals and priorities for curriculum and standards of achievement. Educators need to be aware of these priorities and their effect on work in the schools.

6. Use of Technology in Education

Educators may acquire skills in technology, computer programming, video operation, and multimedia in the context of enhancing student learning.

CPD PLANS

Educators will choose a CPD option in which at least one domain of professional competency is addressed. A completed five-year plan for renewal of a Standard or Continuing License consists of at least 125 PDUs. A completed three-year plan for renewal of a Basic License consists of a minimum of 75 PDUs. A plan may be segmented into a series of one-year plans to permit the educator and the district to annually review and update the plan. Once the plan is developed, it may be amended to reflect changes in an educator's assignments or goals. It will be the educator's responsibility to provide documentation to the supervisor or CPD advisor that the plan is completed and that the educator has analyzed the results and applied what has been done to enhance student learning.

RENEWAL OPTIONS

I. District Plan

A district CPD plan is in writing and has been reviewed and approved by the District School Board. The plan must meet the standards as outlined in OAR 584-090-0010. The applicant for renewal of licensure will have verification from the district superintendent or designee of meeting the district or building requirement for CPD.

2. Individual Plan

Educators may develop CPD plans in collaboration with their supervisors or CPD advisors approved by the supervisor.

There are many activities that may be included in the educator's individual continuing professional development plan provided the activities meet the rule and are related to the goals of the plan. An educator's individual plan may use parts of an approved District CPD plan along with individual activities. Following are some suggested activities that may be included.

Additional course work--Courses may be undergraduate or graduate level if germane to the educator's current or anticipated assignment. One quarter hour equals 20 PDUs; one semester hour equals 30 PDUs.

Professional Conferences--A professional conference is any formal meeting, workshop, seminar or institute which addresses educational concerns.

Publication--An educator may write articles or reports that contribute to the effective practice of the profession. An educator may write and publish a book that focuses on relevant topics and applications or may develop curriculum in specific subject areas.

Peer or Student Teacher Mentoring--Mentoring is a systematic program of analyzing and discussing professional activities designed to coach or model new skills or strategies.

Site Committees--An educator may participation on a building site council working on school improvement.

Action Research--Action Research provides an opportunity for an educator or a group of educators to be involved in a substantial program or issue pertinent to one's assignment. Projects will last for at least two years and should focus on buildings or districts achieving their stated goals as measured by student performance or other evidence of effectiveness. The action research will culminate with a report on the findings and implications.

Internships—Planned work experiences in business, industry or the professions related to the educator’s assignment may be counted toward CPD requirements.

SUBSTITUTES OR UNEMPLOYED EDUCATORS

Educators who hold Basic, Standard or Continuing Licenses and are employed as substitutes may renew their licenses without documenting CPD activities. Educators who are employed less than one-half time are also exempt from CPD requirements. Recent educational experience requirements may be met by one of three options: 1) 180 days substitute experience in Oregon elementary or secondary schools. 2) Nine quarter hours or six semester hours of preparation in an approved teacher education institution. 3) A combination of experience in Oregon elementary or secondary schools and credit germane to the license. One quarter hour of preparation equals twenty days of the required experiences. One semester hour equals 30 days of the required experiences.

Educators who “stop out” or “re-enter” teaching will need only 25 CPD Units for each year of employment, even though the license being renewed may have been valid for five years.

APPEALS

Educators who choose an individual CPD plan may appeal to the Commission if the successful completion is not verified or if there are exceptional circumstances which justify an extension of time for completion. An educator who wishes to appeal must give written notice to the Commission of the appeal along with evidence of activities completed to fulfill the CPD plan. The Commission will review the appeal and make a decision within 120 days of receipt of the appeal notice.

DEFINITIONS

The following definitions from OAR 584-005-0005 have direct application to Division 090 Standards.

584-005-0005

(26) "Continued Professional Growth": A plan for personal professional growth during a licensure cycle which meets the criteria in OAR 584-090-0001.

(28) "Continuing Professional Development (CPD)": Additional academic and practical experience that leads to increased knowledge and skills related to the educator's assignment.

(29) "Continuing Professional Development Advisor": A person selected by an educator and approved by the educator's supervisor, such as a college or university advisor, a peer coach, or a qualified member of an agency or professional organization.

DIVISION O90

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Purpose and Standards for Professional Development Plan

584-090-0001 These rules establish a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plan for all educators that hold Basic, Standard or Continuing licenses. Each CPD plan shall have as a primary purpose improved student learning by improving professional skills of educators. Each plan shall be designed to assist the educator to:

(1) achieve district, state and national standards;

(2) keep current with the development and use of best practices; and

(3) develop ways to enhance learning for a diverse student body.

Effective Date and Applicability

584-090-0005 (1) Effective January 15, 2002, applicants for renewal of Basic, Standard, and Continuing Licenses must meet the requirements set forth in these rules. Applicants for the reinstatement of licensure must meet all renewal requirements as well as requirements in OAR 584-50-017.

(2) Applicants for renewal of Basic Licenses must complete 75 Professional Development Units to renew their licenses. Applicants for Standards or Continuing Licenses must complete 125 Professional Development Units to renew their licenses. PDUs must be part of a CPD Plan completed during the life of the current license.

(3) The Continuing Professional Development requirements will be phased in as follows:

(a) Educators renewing Basic, Standard or Continuing Licenses after January 14, 2002, must complete 25 Professional Development Units;

(b) Educators renewing Basic, Standard or Continuing Licenses in 2003 must complete 50 Professional Development Units;

(d) Educators renewing Basic Licenses in 2005 must complete 75 Professional Development Units. Educators renewing Standard or Continuing Licenses in 2005 must complete 100 Professional Development Units;

(e) Educators renewing Basic, Standard or Continuing Licenses in 2006 must meet the full requirement of Professional Development Units as stated in subsection (2) of this rule.

Domains of Professional Competency

584-090-0010 For purposes of renewal of licensure educators shall choose activities and experiences that are based on at least one of the following domains of professional growth:

(1) Content of the subject matter or specialty area directly related to the educator's current assignment(s) or to responsibilities the educator reasonably expects to be assigned.

(2) Strategies for assessment of pupil performance in achieving school and district objectives and State content standards and interpretation and application of the results.

(3) Methods for effective teaching, classroom management, counseling, supervision, leadership, and curriculum development.

(4) Understanding of diversity in abilities, social and/or cultural background and use of such knowledge to promote achievement of high standards for all students.

(5) Knowledge of State and national education priorities and the application of that knowledge to one's school and district programs.

(6) Competence in the uses of technology in schools and the application of that knowledge to one's assignment.

Requirements for District and Individual Continuing Professional Development Plans

584-090-0020 (1) At the beginning of a licensure cycle when a Basic, Standard or Continuing License is issued or renewed, an educator shall select a CPD option from OAR 584-90-030 or 584-090-0040;

(2) Each plan shall:

(a) Identify at least one domain of professional competency to be addressed as stated in OAR 584-90-010;

(b) List the goals/objectives to be achieved through the CPD plan;

(d) State how the CPD plan will assist the educator to improve professionally;

(e) Describe the resources that will be used to complete the plan; and

(f) Provide for verification of review of the plan by a supervisor or CPD advisor.

(3) A completed five-year plan consists of a minimum of 125 professional development units. A completed three-year plan consists of a minimum of 75 professional development units.

(4) The plan is portable if the educator moves to a different district and is amendable to reflect changes in the educator's goals, assignments or employment; and

(5) The plan is comprehensive and is sufficient to master new strategies and content.

(6) Each educator shall provide documentation to the supervisor or CPD advisor that the plan has been completed and the educator has analyzed the results and applied the acquired knowledge and skills to improve student learning.

(7) If appropriate to the current CPD Plan, up to 25 excess PDUs may be counted toward completion of the current plan.

Additional Requirements for District Continuing Professional Development Plans

584-090-0030 (1) Educators in districts that have qualified district CPD programs that meet the purpose and standards set forth in OAR 584-090-0001 and 584-090-020.

(2) To be qualified, a district CPD program must be in writing and be reviewed and approved by the district school board.

(3) All educators who have verification from the district superintendent or designee of meeting the district requirement for CPD will be judged to have met CPD requirements for renewal of licensure.

Additional Requirements for Individual Continuing Professional Development Plans

584-090-0040 (1) At the beginning of each licensure cycle, an educator will confer with his/her supervisor or CPD advisor to develop a CPD plan for the ensuing three or five years which shall meet the purposes and standards set forth in OAR 584-090-0001 and 584-090-0020.

(2) Modifications to the plan may be made at any time, after consultation with the supervisor or CPD advisor, to reflect changes in assignment or professional goals.

(3) The educator will document completion of the plan.

(4) The supervisor or CPD advisor will verify completion of the plan at renewal of licensure.

Requirements for Renewal of Licensure

584-090-0050 (1) Applicants who are employed in contractual positions as teachers, personnel service specialists or administrators in Oregon schools or in public schools or regionally accredited private elementary or secondary schools in other states, may renew the Basic, Standard or Continuing License upon verification of:

(a) one year of full-time successful experience during the life of the current license; and

(b) successful completion of an approved professional development plan.

(2) Applicants who are not employed in contractual positions as stated in section (1) may renew the Basic, Standard or Continuing License upon verification of one of the following:

(a) nine quarter hours or six semester hours of preparation completed in an approved teacher education institution;

(b) 180 days of substitute experience in Oregon schools;

(c) college or university credit germane to the license may be substituted for part of the experience required in section (b). One quarter hour of preparation equals 20 days of the required experience. One semester hour equals 30 days of the required experience.

Appeals to the Commission

584-090-0060 (1) Educators who choose to complete the individual CPD plan may appeal to the Commission if the successful completion of their plans is not verified by the supervisor or CPD advisor, or if there are exceptional circumstances which justify extension of time for completion.

(2) To appeal, an educator shall submit written notice to the Commission of appeal together with evidence of activities completed to fulfill the CPD plan.

(3) Upon receipt of an appeal, the following shall occur:

(a) The Executive Director will contact the supervisor or CPD advisor for a statement on the dispute.

(b) The Chair of the Commission will appoint a Committee to review the appeal and evidence submitted by the educator.

(c) The committee will make recommendations to the Executive Director of the Commission on its finding after reviewing the documentation of CPD.

(d) The Executive Director shall make a final decision on the appeal within 120 days of receipt of the appeal and report that decision to the Commission.