Number:

333

Section:

Administrative Employees

Title:

Professional Development

Date Adopted:

April 24, 2001

Date Reviewed:

October 25, 2005

Purpose
Continuing professional study and in-service training are prerequisites for professional development, enhanced ability to complete responsibilities, and maintaining certification.

Authority
The Board encourages all administrators to further their professional and personal advancement through graduate courses, in-service training, and professional development activities.

Guidelines

• Graduate/Special Courses Guidelines

Only courses of study that are preapproved by the Superintendent or his or her designee will be eligible for reimbursement by the district.

Reimbursement for approved graduate study or special courses will be made in accordance with the terms of The Upper Moreland Administrators’ Association Memorandum of Understanding.

Credits taken for compliance with Act 48 requirements will be submitted in accordance with District procedures and state regulations.

• Professional Education Plan

In order to develop the professional education plan, the Board will create a professional education committee and will appoint thereto parents and representatives of the community and local businesses. Representatives of administrators, teachers, and educational specialists on the professional education committee shall be selected by their respective members.

The professional education committee will develop and submit to the Board for its approval a professional education plan that will meet the educational needs of the district, the Strategic Plan, and the employees, students, and community; that specifies approved courses, programs, activities and learning experiences; and that identifies approved providers. The Board must approve the plan prior to submission to the Department of Education for approval.

The professional education committee will conduct an ongoing review of the district’s professional education plan to determine if the plan continues to meet the needs of the district, the Strategic Plan, and the employees, students, and community. Based on the review, the professional education committee may recommend amendments to the plan, subject to approval by the Board and the Department of Education.

The Board may approve, on a case-by-case basis, specific professional education activities not stated within the district’s professional education plan. Board approval is not required for credits or hours required for administrator certification, earned through activities conducted by providers approved by the Department of Education or the Department itself, or related to the area of assignment or certification.

If the district reimburses any of the costs, the Board may disapprove any course, program, activity or learning experience that is inconsistent with the goals of the professional education plan.

In order to continue employment in the district, certified administrative employees must meet all obligations necessary to maintain active certification.