Educator Services Licensure
Recertification

Questions and Answers

Table of Contents

Applying for Recertification

New Recertification Regulations

Individual Professional Development Plans

Professional Development Options

Professional Development Points

Professional Development Providers

Applying for Recertification

How much is the application fee for recertification?

The fee is $100.00 for the primary area and $25.00 for each additional area.

Does my supervisor need to endorse my completed professional development plan?

Educators who are employed in a Massachusetts public school must include their supervisor's endorsement of their completed professional development plan.

What does a supervisor's endorsement of a completed professional development plan indicate?

A supervisor's endorsement indicates that the supervisor has reviewed the record of professional development activities maintained by the educator to ensure that the reported activities are consistent with the approved professional development plan.

If my recertification application is selected for an audit, what type of documents will I need to submit?

Educators are required to maintain an Individual Professional Development Plan, reasonable documentation that validates the completion of an activity and the number of points accrued, and a record of complete recertification activities. The record of complete recertification activities must include the topic and type of professional activities completed, the dates of the activities, and the number of points completed.

How long should I keep my documentation?

Educators must maintain the documentation, record log, professional development plan, and application for five years from the date of recertification. This documentation is subject to review by the educator's supervisor and audit by the Department.

Who is responsible if the Department does not accept my professional development activities?

The applicant is responsible for compliance with Department regulations and guidelines. Supervisor approval and endorsement indicates only that the professional development activities identified in the Individual Professional Development Plan meet school and district improvement goals. If a supervisor requires an educator to follow a certain course that the educator believes is inconsistent with the regulations, the educator should contact the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

What happens if I am not employed by a Massachusetts public school district at the time I apply for recertification?

Educators not employed by a Massachusetts public school district at the time they apply for recertification should submit their plans directly to the Department, without a supervisor's endorsement.

New Recertification Regulations

How have the recertification regulations changed?

The new regulations, amended December 1, 1999 require educators to:

• Align their Individual Professional Development Plans with school and/or district improvement goals
• Obtain supervisor approval indicating that 80% of the Professional Development Points (PDPs) are consistent with the educational goals of the school and/or district
• Earn a minimum of 10 hours in a topic
• Seek their supervisor's endorsement of their completed professional development plan prior to applying for recertification

Individual Professional Development Plans

Who approves Individual Professional Development Plans?

The educator's direct supervisor or designee approves the Individual Professional Development Plan. In most instances this will mean that the principal will approve the plans of teachers and other educators who report to the principal. In some cases a principal may delegate this role to a department head. The superintendent will approve a principal's plan, and the chairperson of the school committee will approve a superintendent's plan. Educators may seek peer review prior to supervisor approval.

What does the approval mean?

Approval of the plan means that 80% of the PDPs in the plan are consistent with the educational goals of the school and/or district and that the plan is designed to enhance the ability of the educator to improve student learning.

Where are there copies of school and district improvement plans?

The Education Reform Law requires school councils to develop annual School Improvement Plans. Districts are also required annually to adopt and implement a professional development plan for all principals, teachers, other professionals employed by the district, and school council members. Educators should be able to obtain copies of these plans from building principals.

I am currently employed by an educational collaborative. Who approves my plan?

Educators employed by educational collaboratives must create a plan that is consistent with the educational needs of the collaborative. The educator's direct supervisor or designee will approve the Individual Professional Development Plan.

How often must my plan be reviewed?

Supervisors are required to review each individual plan at least every two years. A supervisor may require an educator to amend the plan or may withdraw approval for a plan that had been previously approved; however, any PDPs that were earned consistent with an approved plan will be counted toward recertification.

May I initiate a review of my plan, or amend my plan, to reflect professional development opportunities that may arise after my plan has been approved?

Yes, educators may initiate a review of their plan anytime during their recertification cycle to reflect new professional development opportunities. Plans may be amended with approval by the educator's supervisor.

What if my supervisor does not approve my plan?

Approval of an individual plan cannot be unreasonably withheld. If a plan is not approved, the supervisor should clearly state the reason for disapproval, so the plan can be amended and approved. In the event that a plan is not approved by a supervisor there are options: teachers and other educators who report to the principal may seek review of the denial from the superintendent of schools; principals may seek review from the school committee chairperson; and a superintendent may seek review from the Department. An educator may then seek additional review from the Department.

What if my plan is not approved by the deadline?

Except for educators certified prior to 10/01/94, PDPs that are earned prior to the initial approval of a plan may be subject to disapproval if, in the opinion of the educator's supervisor, the PDPs are not consistent with the educational improvement goals of the school and/or district.

I am an educator who has been employed by a Massachusetts school district and have recently accepted a position in another district. Do I have to realign my plan to coincide with my current district's goals? Do I need approval from my new supervisor? Will the PDPs that I have already earned still count?

Educators in this situation will need to realign their plans to coincide with their new district's goals. Educators will need approval from their new supervisors within three months of employment. The PDPs previously earned will still count toward recertification.

I am not currently employed and my certificate is inactive. I plan to become employed by a Massachusetts school district in the near future. How long do I have to complete the professional development requirements for my certificate?

Educators who are not currently employed in a position requiring certification and who hold an inactive certificate have two years from the start of employment to complete the professional development requirements for the certificate.

If I plan to retire before my current license expires, am I still expected to have an Individual Professional Development Plan?

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 license expires. In these cases, Individual Plan approval is strongly recommended but not required.

Does the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education have sample Individual Professional Development Plans?

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has sample Individual Professional Development Plans and a blank template.

Professional Development Options

How do I earn Professional Development Points?

Educators may earn Professional Development Points (PDPs) by participating in the professional development programs and activities outlined in their Individual Professional Development Plan. All eligible professional development options are described in the Recertification Guidelines.

In the last cycle of recertification I was able to participate in self-directed activities. Is this still an option?

Yes, some self-directed activities that result in a professional product are eligible for PDPs. For example, educators may author a new curriculum unit or develop and implement an activity for students, parents, or teachers that incorporates the learning standards of the curriculum frameworks. Districts may also sponsor educator study groups. All eligible activities are listed in the Recertification Guidelines.

Previously, educators could count 4 hours in a topic for recertification. Has this changed?

Yes. The new regulations require a minimum of 10 hours in a topic for recertification.

Can a variety of professional development activities in one topic be used to satisfy the ten-hour topic minimum requirement?

Yes. Districts will need to maintain reasonable documentation and award PDPs after an observable demonstration of learning. For example, a middle school mathematics teacher could participate in a six-hour, district-based professional development program focused on algebraic structures, then attend a four-hour session on teaching algebraic structures at a statewide conference, and subsequently develop a new curriculum unit on algebraic structures for use as a district guide. The new curriculum unit would also serve as a demonstration of learning. In this example, the district may award the educator twenty-five PDPs in content (six PDPs for the district-based professional development program, four PDPs for the statewide conference, and fifteen for the new curriculum unit.)

What would be considered a topic?

A topic is a single or tightly integrated area of study within an academic discipline or related to a particular method of teaching or administration. Examples of topics might include the American Revolution, Greek Literature, Organic Chemistry, Algebra, Questioning Techniques, Behavior Management, and Direct Instruction.

How do educators determine which topics are in the content area?

Topics listed under subject matter knowledge for the license are considered content. This information is available in the Regulations for Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval in section 7.06 Subject Matter Knowledge Requirements for Teachers.

Can I use the same PDPs to meet the content requirements to renew more than one license?

Yes, if you have earned PDPs for activities that relate to the content of more than one license (whether Primary or Additional areas), you may use the activity to cover the content requirement for renewing more than one license. Even in this case, however, the same total number of PDPs are required to renew the licenses. (You will still need the 150 PDPs for the Primary and the 30 PDPs for each Additional Area), but may consider the content required as covered.

For example:

The Recertification Guidelines list content-specific tests and performance assessment as options for PDPs. Are these options available?

Content tests for recertification are not available at this time. The Department is currently developing performance assessment options for Board of Education review. Educators should not include these options in their Individual Professional Development Plans. When these options become available, educators may choose to amend their plans, with necessary supervisor approval, to include a content test or performance assessment.

Professional Development Points

Is the ratio of 1 PDP per clock hour still in effect?

Yes. Educators are able to earn 1 PDP per clock hour for professional development activities and programs outlined in the Recertification Guidelines. Advanced Academic Studies and some programs sponsored by the Department are eligible for 1.5 PDPs per clock hour. The Department has also established caps on the number of points for certain activities eligible for recertification. These caps are explained in the Guidelines.

The recertification regulations state that I must demonstrate proficiency in a relevant subject area or skill through an "appropriate end-of-course assessment" in order to receive PDPs from a registered provider. What is an appropriate end-of-course assessment? Who sees the results?

In most instances, registered providers who offer courses, seminars, or institutes that strengthen content knowledge will provide a written exam. Courses, seminars, or institutes related to classroom work or school and district administrative issues will include an observable demonstration of learning that could include a written product or other documentable product.

The results of the end-of-course assessment are given only to the educator. Registered providers are not authorized to share or publish individual participants' assessment results.

What is Advanced Academic Study? How do I receive points for Advanced Academic Study?

A graduate-level course or its approved equivalent in the content area, or an upper-level undergraduate course or its approved equivalent when the content is substantially new to the educator, will be considered Advanced Academic Study and will be awarded 1.5 PDPs per clock hour (1 semester hour = 22.5 PDPs). The Department will grant PDPs for course credit from accredited colleges and universities at the time of recertification application.

Who determines if the content in an upper-level undergraduate course or approved equivalent is substantially new to the educator?

The educator determines if the content is substantially new. However, during a Department audit, the educator will need to explain why the content was substantially new.

What points are considered "elective?"

In most cases, the PDPs not subject to supervisor approval are considered "elective." The elective PDPs may be earned in content or pedagogy.

I currently hold an Initial license (formerly Provisional with Advanced Standing stage) in one area and a Professional level license (formerly Standard Stage) in another area. When should I begin earning points towards recertification?

Recertification applies only to the renewal of a Professional (Standard) level license. Educators may start earning points immediately after the date of issue of a Professional level license, in preparation for renewal of that license, or immediately after the date of your Professional license's last renewal. Educators who hold either a Provisional or an Initial level license are not required to earn PDP's, but rather would apply for a new license once they are ready to move up to the next level (i.e. from provisional to initial or from initial to professional). See the Recertification Guidelines for more information.

Can I earn PDPs for participating in a professional development course as a trainer, presenter, or instructor?

Educators who develop and present professional development sessions or courses that are given at the graduate level, which focus on strengthening content knowledge and skills are eligible to receive PDPs. Registered professional development providers, school districts and collaboratives, and institutions of higher education may grant trainers, presenters and instructors twice the number of PDPs granted to participants. An educator may apply these points only one time, the first time, he or she provides the training in a five-year recertification cycle.

The Recertification Guidelines state, "PDPs will not be awarded for attendance at a professional conference." Are there any instances where conference participants can earn PDPs?

Yes, educators may receive PDPs for attendance at a professional conference only in the following instances:

• Registered professional development providers may award PDPs for conference attendance when educators participate in a conference for 10 hours or more on a topic with an observable demonstration of learning that could include a written product or other product that can be documented. Registered providers should issue Certificates of Attendance when educators participate in a conference that is less than 10 hours in a topic.

• Districts may award PDPs to educators for conference attendance after the successful completion of a professional conference (as evidenced by a Certificate of Attendance) with follow-up activities at the district level that combined with conference attendance total 10 hours or more. Follow-up activities at the district level must include an observable demonstration of learning that could include a written product or other product that can be documented.

• Educators are eligible to receive 30 PDPs from the conference provider or district the first time they make a presentation at a professional conference in a five-year renewal cycle.

Professional Development Providers

The Recertification Regulations refer to "registered" providers. Must all providers be registered with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education?

Colleges and universities, public school districts, charter schools, and educational collaboratives are not required to register with the Department. The following organizations must register online with the Department in order to award PDPs: non-public schools; not-for-profit organizations; private, for-profit organizations and individuals; educational partnerships and corporations; and educational agencies and associations.

If I participate in an out-of-state professional development activity can I still apply these points to my recertification?

Yes, as long as the out-of-state provider is registered with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Accredited colleges and universities, in-state or out-of-state, are not required to register with the Department.

What quality assurance steps will the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education undertake?

In order to ensure that educators are receiving quality professional development opportunities, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will audit at least 5% of registered providers each year.

Can providers award PDPs to courses offered online?

Yes. Providers may offer PDPs for such courses if the provider is registered with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Last Updated: 3/23/04