Educator Services

Individual Professional Development Plans for Retirees and Those Leaving the Profession

Some educators have asked whether they need an Individual Professional Development Plan if they intend to leave the profession by 2004. The answer is yes. The development of an Individual Plan designed to improve teaching and student learning is sound professional practice and a legal requirement. For example, a teacher who plans to teach for only one more year should remain engaged in well-planned professional development to benefit students' and the teacher's continuing educational growth.

Some educators have also asked if their Individual Plans need to be approved by their supervisor if the educator intends to leave the profession by the time his current certification expires in June 2004. In these cases, Individual Plan approval is strongly recommended but not required.

The best approach is for all educators to seek required or recommended approval of their Individual Professional Development Plans by June 30, 2000, or by October 13, 2000, if mutually agreed upon by the educator and supervisor. If you would like further information about recertification, please call the Department's recertification hot line at (781) 338-6600, or see our web site at www.doe.mass.edu/recert.