Guidelines for Earning Professional Development Points

NOTE: Detailed information about recertification can be found on the "Educators"  page of the Massachusetts Department of Education web site.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POINTS (PDP’s): Below is a listing of categories of professional development activities and the rules associated with the awarding of Professional Development Points (PDP’s). Please note that PDP’s may be earned in activities other than those listed. (For example, PDP’s are awarded for taking a graduate course.) The categories apply to activities that take place within our school system.

CATEGORIES OF DISTRICT-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES (source: Massachusetts Department of Education)

1. School or District Improvement Activity—Participating in an activity that strengthens professional knowledge in skills in content areas. Must include an observable demonstration of learning have written product or other documentable product. A minimum 10 hours per category is required. 1 PDP/Clock hour

2. Mentoring (including Peer Coaching; Cooperating Teacher)—Serving as a mentor to a new teacher, as a cooperating teacher for a student teacher, or as a peer coach (to be defined) for a colleague. 15 PDP’s per year

3. Curriculum Development—Participating in the authoring of a new curriculum that is shared in some way. Included in curriculum development is the sharing of professional resources. 15 PDP’s per curriculum unit/maximum of 60 PDP’s per five-year cycle

4. School-based Project—Developing and implementing an activity for students, parents, or teachers that incorporates learning standards from the state Curriculum Frameworks 1 PDP per clock hour/maximum of 30 PDP’s per five-year cycle

5. Accreditation Activities: Being a member of a visiting team or faculty member preparing for visit. Maximum of 30 PDP’s per five-year cycle

6. Presenters: Developing and presenting a workshop with a minimum of three separate sessions. Three times the amount of PDP’s participants earn. (Minimum 10 PDP’s/Maximum 24 PDP’s)