The Nuts and Bolts of PD The Role of the District Professional Development Coordinator

Kentucky Department of EducationOffice of Next Generation Learners

Division of Next Generation Professionals

Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Branch

KDE’s Charge: KRS 156.095 (2)(b)

The local district professional development coordinator shall participate in … annual training program for local school district professional development coordinators. The training program may include, …, the demonstration of various approaches to needs assessment and planning; strategies for implementing long-term, school-based professional development; strategies for strengthening teachers' roles in the planning, development, and evaluation of professional development; and demonstrations of model professional development programs.

KRS 156.095 (7) Professional Development Bulletin Board

Kentucky’s Standards for Professional Learning (PL)

Professional learning that increases educator effectiveness and results for all students:Occurs within learning communities committed to continuous improvement, collective

responsibility, and goal alignment

Requires skillful leaders who develop capacity, advocate, and create systems for PL

Requires prioritizing, monitoring, and coordinating resources for educator learning

Uses a variety of sources and types of student, educator and system data to plan, assess, and evaluate professional learning

Integrates theories, research, and models of human learning to achieve its intended outcomes

Applies research on change and sustains support for implementation of professional learning for long-term change

Aligns its outcomes with educator performance and student curriculum standards

Professional Development vs. Professional Learning

Joellen Killion, senior advisor to Learning Forward, explains the difference between professional development and professional learning in this clip.

Professional Development vs. Professional Learning

Kentucky’s Definition of Professional Development

Professional development is defined in 704 KAR 3:035 Section (1) (1) as “professional learning that is an individual and collective responsibility that fosters shared accountability among the entire education workforce for student achievement.

Kentucky’s Definition of Professional Development

Additionally Section 4(2) states:

High-quality professional development experiences shall be related to the teacher’s instructional assignments and the administrator’s professional responsibilities. Professional development shall be aligned with the school or district improvement plan or the individual professional growth plans of teachers.

Funding For PD

In 2003 the Legislature introduced the Flexible Focus Fund (PD, Preschool*, ESS, Textbooks, and Safe Schools)

Schools are required to receive a minimum of 65% of the allocation of PD funds (KRS 160.345[8])

35% can be used for district PD needs

15% of the 35% can be used for administrative costs (i.e. PDC salary)

Planning For PD

Each local board of education shall use four (4) days of the minimum school term for professional development and collegial planning activities for the professional staff without the presence of pupils pursuant to the requirements of KRS 156.095.

Planning For PD

At the discretion of the superintendent, one (1) day of professional development may be used for district-wide activities and for training that is mandated by federal or state law.

Planning For PD

The use of three (3) days shall be planned by each school council, except that the district is encouraged to provide technical assistance and leadership to school councils to maximize existing resources and to encourage shared planning. (KRS 158.070[4][a])

Planning For PD

Schools may implement flexible PD calendarsPD should occur from July 1 and June 30th each year. ALL certified teachers are required to complete 24 hours (4 days) of professional development as part of the standard teacher contract.Administrators complete 21 hours of EILA annually.Law does not require administrators to do both.Certified teachers working less than 187 days will have their PD requirement pro-rated

Planning For PD

PD Credit is given for activities related to the teacher’s instructional assignment, not any extra duties in which they are involved.

In working with school councils, advise them it is important to balance the individual needs of teachers with the needs of the school when planning the three (3) days of PD.

PDC Qualifications

A staff member meeting the certification requirements of a professional development coordinator as established by the Education Professional Standards Board in 16 KAR 4:010 (principal or instructional supervisor);

A demonstrated ability to work with schools to plan, design, implement, and evaluate professional development that aligns with the requirements of this administrative regulation.

A demonstrated ability to work with schools to connect professional development with effective instructional practices and student achievement data.

PDC Duties

Facilitating the analysis of the district professional development needs assessment;

Coordinating the intra-district alignment of professional learning to achieve identified goals and objectives, for professional development;

Building capacity of school leaders, school council members, and other school and district leaders to plan, access, resources, implement and evaluate professional learning;

Disseminating professional development information to school councils, staff members, and professional development committees;

Coordinating the planning, implementation and evaluation of the district professional development program that is aligned, supportive of, and developed in conjunction with local school improvement plans;

PDC Duties (Continued)

Coordinating the establishment of local policies (KSBA 3.19), procedures, timetables, necessary forms and letters, assignment of workshop sites and all other practical elements of professional development, including fiscal management;Maintaining, verifying, and, if appropriate, submitting district and school professional development records, documentation, and other pertinent information to the Department of Education;Explaining the district's professional development program objectives, results, and needs to school professionals, district staff, board members, civic and parent groups, teacher training institutions and others as requested; andMaintaining contact with the Department of Education and other agencies involved in providing professional development.

Q&A Top 10

10. Who is responsible for determining whether PD should be approved for credit?

Determining the quality of professional development and subsequently approving professional development for credit is the responsibility of the school district. According to KRS 158.070(4)(c)(2) the principal or if school council policy dictates it, the school council itself, is responsible for approving professional development. The professional development coordinator is responsible for determining whether district level professional development meets the standards and is approved. The Kentucky Department of Education does not determine the quality of professional development, nor does it endorse or approve professional development opportunities.

Q&A Top 10

9. Can local board policy prohibit certified staff from taking an accumulated sick day on a day

designated in the calendar for professional development?

No. This would be in contradiction to KRS 161.155(2), “The ten (10) days of sick leave granted in this subsection may be taken by a teacher or employee on any ten (10) days of the school year and shall be granted in addition to accumulated sick leave days that have been credited to the teacher or employee under the provisions of subsection (4) of this section.” Board policy on PD (KSBA 3.19) can prohibit staff from using personal days on days designated for PD.

Q&A Top 10

8. If a district chooses to move funds within the Flexible Focus Provisions, how is the 65% allocation to schools determined?

The amount submitted to KDE as a budget for Professional Development on the first Quarterly Expenditure Report (September 30th) becomes the districts allocation for PD and is the amount the state will use to determine the 65% allocation under KRS 160.345(8).  Any transfers in to the Professional Development Fund after September 30th under the Flexible Focus language would not be subject to the 65% rule.  Any transfer out to one of the other grants in FFF must be made from the district’s 35% PD allocation.

Q&A Top 10

7. Do schools have a deadline for spending their professional development allocation?

Based on district policy, districts have the authority to have unused portions of a school’s PD allocation returned to the district on June 30th of each year. The district policies may also stipulate a deadline prior to June 30th when purchases under the professional development grant must be completed.

Q&A Top 10

6. May professional development funds be used to hire substitutes?

Yes, this is a local district decision and should support the goals of professional development outlined in the school plan.

Q&A Top 10

5. Are teachers allowed to receive professional development stipends for training on days in which they receive credit for a professional

development day?

No, this would be double compensation for the same day and it is not allowed.

Q&A Top 10

4. Can PD be required of new teachers prior to July 1 of the new school year?

No, you cannot mandate new teachers, whose contracts don’t begin until after July 1, to complete PD training before that date. A district can offer to award credit to any teachers hired before July 1 attending training occurring prior to July 1, but attendance would be at the teachers’ discretion.

Q&A Top 10

3. How does Senate Bill 65 effect our professional development plan? Senate Bill 65 mandates that all middle and high school certified staff participate in TWO hours of self-study of suicide prevention IN ADDITION to the 4 days/24 hours of required professional development. This is amends KRS 158.070. (Section 1(4)(b))

Q&A Top 10

2. Should instructors being trained to be resource teachers in the K.T.I.P. program be granted

professional development credit?This is a district decision. If the reason the teacher is attending is to broaden their understanding of how to coach and be a teacher leader, than credit may be appropriate. If the teacher is participating in the program to help intern teachers make a successful transition to teaching it would not be appropriate. Remember, resource teachers do receive remuneration for their service in the program.

Q&A Top 10

1. Are sports clinics or athletic seminars appropriate for professional development? No, the 4-day (24 hour) professional development requirements and state funds allocated for professional development are for experiences that shall, “Be related to teachers' instructional assignments and administrators' professional responsibilities. Experiences shall support the local school's instructional improvement goals;” and “Be aligned with the school or district improvement plan or individual professional growth plans of teachers.” 704 KAR 3:035 Section (4)(2). Coaching is an extra duty and as such does not require professional development as described above. In addition, Athletic Director is not a position recognized as “administrative” under KRS 156.101.

The Role of KDE

To support and guide you in your work– Make you aware of learning opportunities for

you and others on your staff– Answer questions you may have – Connect you with other resources

Links to Regulations and Statutes

Statutes

KRS 156.095- http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=3115KRS 156.101- http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=3119KRS 158.070- http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=39992KRS 160.345- http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=3714KRS 161.155- http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=3683

Regulations

704 KAR 3:035- http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/704/003/035.htm Annual professional development plan.

16 KAR 4:010- http://www.lrc.ky.gov/kar/016/004/010.htm Qualifications for professional school positions.