FAQs:

1. Does an educator need to address each endorsement held (Level I and Level II) in the new IPDP?

2. My school action plan changes frequently.  Do I have to change my IPDP each time that the action plan changes?

3. Do I need to have evidence of student learning in my IPDP or portfolio?

4. What do we need to have in order to approve on-line credits?

5.  What is National Board Certification? 

1. Does an educator need to address each endorsement held (Level I and Level II) in the new IPDP?

Yes.  The new regulations state that "at least three re-licensing credits must address the specific knowledge and performance standards of each endorsement recommended for renewal." New regulations require three re-licensing credits in order to renew a Level I, if the educator is not teaching in that endorsement area.  Therefore, goals for those endorsements should be included in the IPDP.    

2. My school action plan changes frequently.  Do I have to change my IPDP each time that the action plan changes?

   
No.  The goal associated with the action plan should address the educator's need for professional development and growth, as well as student learning. After self-assessment (see Handbook pp.20, 21), and the SMART goal is established and approved, the plan will not need to be amended unless the educator feels it is no longer relevant.

3. Do I need to have evidence of student learning in my IPDP or portfolio?

No and Yes.  The new regulations state that an IPDP is developed through "analysis of professional practice and student learning data."

Handbook pages 17- 23 re: the development of the IPDP indicate that your IPDP should include the analysis of why you developed your goal and its connections to student learning. 

The documentation of professional growth - beginning with some base line of data and ending with data gathered as a result of the implementation of your professional development - should be a part of the artifact documentation in your portfolio.  

We are currently developing an IPDP form and artifact documentation grid that can be used in the portfolio.

4. What do we need to have in order to approve on-line credits?

The regulations do not state that the professional development must be college or graduate credit.  One professional development credit is equal to 15 hours of participation in the activity itself, not including "homework" associated with it.
 

Educators may choose professional development that is on-line.  There is no official VSBPE policy regarding on-line professional development.

However, if the professional development includes college credits, the college credits must be from an accredited institution and an official transcript provided. 

To verify accreditation,  you may contact Bob Lorenz in the Department of Education at 802 - 828 - 5139.

Other professional development may be obtained through the websites of recognized organizations (such as Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), National Middle School Association (NMSA), National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and must include a certificate of on-line participation.  The Vermont DOE also has information regarding CEUs.

You may also approve other on-line activities, such as web quests, as part of educator designed professional development, with appropriate documentation. 

I would advise educators to seek prior approval of On-line professional development from your board.    

Please remind your educators to examine the new endorsement competencies found on the DOE website at:  Endorsement Competencies.

5.  What is National Board Certification? 

National Board Certification is the highest level of teacher certification in the country.

In order to achieve certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, teachers spend nearly a year completing the certification process. This takes place at the teacher’s school, where they build a portfolio of best teaching practices and show how their teaching meets the advanced standards of their field. Teachers must also document their work outside the classroom with families and the community, as well as with colleagues. Finally, teachers must take a full day of written exercises. 

The Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators has recognized this dedication to improve professional practice by developing a policy that states: “A portfolio submitted by an educator for National Board Certification shall be considered as equivalent to a relicensure portfolio for renewing the comparable endorsement. A letter from the Vermont Department of Education National Board Certification Coordinator verifying submission of the portfolio, or a copy of the national Board Certification earned, must be submitted to the CESU LSB along with the current IPDP.”

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