Educator Effectiveness

Extension for Reviewing and Approving Individual Professional Development Plans (IPDPs)

To:	Superintendents, Principals, Teachers, and Other Interested Parties
From:	Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Date:	September 18, 2009

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would like to thank you all for your tremendous support and efforts in getting 45,000 educators from across the Commonwealth to renew their Professional licenses by June 17, 2009 in what was the third major cycle of renewals. We are proud of all our educators who serve our students, and we appreciate your continuous efforts to engage in professional development activities that support student learning. As you may know, the Recertification Regulations (603 CMR 44.07(2)) state that educators working in a Massachusetts public school must get initial approval of their Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) within three months of their renewal. Given that a new school year has begun, and with many educators needing to develop a new plan, we are extending the deadline for plan approval until November 30, 2009. We understand and appreciate the effort it takes to develop thoughtful, well organized plans that align with school improvement goals and which will positively impact both educator and student learning. We hope the extension will provide enough time for teachers to formulate their professional development goals while also ensuring a successful start to a new school year. For more information about IPDPs, please review the Guidelines for Reviewing, Approving, and Endorsing Individual Professional Development Plans.

Last Updated: September 18, 2009