Butler County Educational Service Center

Local Professional Development Committee

IMPORTANT DATES IN LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION RENEWALS

Not until the year 2014 will every educator have either a permanent certificate or a license

EDUCATOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The employee will be responsible for maintaining the original signed IPDP and all other materials that comprise their IPDP Portfolio.  The individual employee may request that the Human Resource Secretary place a copy in their personnel file.  Minutes of LPDC meetings will reflect names and approval actions.

No credit for professional development will be recognized until the IPDP is submitted and approved.  It is recommended that this plan be submitted within six months from the issue date of the last certificate/license issuance.  Each time the license is renewed, the educator will need an IPDP to guide professional development toward the next renewal.

Individuals shall understand and take responsibility for fulfilling the certification/licensure requirements as set forth by the Ohio Department of Education.  It is your responsibility, as a certified/licensed employee, to monitor the expiration date(s) of your certificates(s) and/or license(s).  Failure to monitor and comply with these guidelines may prevent you from attaining needed renewals and/or continued employment.

Individuals shall be responsible for certification upgrades and should work directly through the Superintendents’ offices and the State Department of Education. The LPDC has no role in certificate upgrades.

Individuals shall be responsible for understanding and abiding by the guidelines and requirements set forth by the LPDC:

·        Individuals shall familiarize themselves with good, appropriate professional development practice and apply this knowledge in the development of their IPDPs.

·        Individuals wishing to amend their IPDP goals and/or activities should submit a request for amendment to the LPDC as soon as possible. The committee will then consider approval of the amendment request.  Amendments must be completed at a minimum of one year prior to the license renewal.  Activities related to the revised IPDP will not be recognized unless occurring after the approval date.  Exceptions may be made on an individual basis if highly unusual circumstances apply.

·        Individuals shall meet all timelines as established by the LPDC for submission of IPDP proposals, materials, documents, etc.

·        Individuals shall respond to requests by the LPDC for meetings, information, clarifications, and/or other activities related to their IPDPs.

·        Individuals shall provide the LPDC with five copies of the IPDP form, plus the original IPDP upon initial submission.

·        When submitting an IPDP for review, submit five copies of revised sections of the IPDP plus the original.   

Any individual securing his/her initial license after July 1, 2002 will be required to complete a Master’s Degree or thirty (30) hours of graduate credit before a second license renewal will be approved.  The requirement of a Master’s Degree or thirty (30) semester hours pertains to any individual who is admitted to a licensure program after July 1, 1998, and to any individual who is admitted to a licensure program prior to January 1, 1998, and who completes said program after July 1, 2003.

Also see Committee Responsibilities and Procedures

WHAT IS THE INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IPDP)?

The creation of the Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) is a process designed to cause individuals to think reflectively about professional goals and how those goals relate to the professional development opportunities available to them.  It allows Individuals to plan and prepare for the Licensure process by having them set goals, identify objectives, predict outcomes analyze educational strategies, and evaluate current practices. The LPDC encourages individuals to explore a variety of professional staff development opportunities.

It is recommended that the IPDP be submitted to the LPDC within six months of the last certification renewal or licensure renewal.

Professional development activities will only be recognized after submission and approval of the Individual Professional Development Plan.

The development of the IPDP gives individuals flexibility in selecting the type of professional development activities that are meaningful to them.  Where the previous system recognized only formal course work or workshops approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs), the new structure will allow for far greater range of professional development activities. These activities are listed in the BCEU Options Charts.

Along with increased flexibility in the types of professional development activities that are accepted, there is also an increased emphasis on the relevance of professional development activities.  IPDPs must be based on the goals and needs of the agency and the individual. 

Each professional development activity that is completed must be clearly related to the area of licensure and/or professional responsibility

The BCESC LPDC has developed a format for the IPDP to be used by individuals.  Individuals must identify and write IPDP goals that are specific to their respective agency’s goals and mission (pp 3, 5).  Agency goals may be used more than once. 

HOW DO I WRITE AN INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN?

When Should I Write an IPDP:

            a.  ASAP after receiving your first license

            b.  ASAP after your last renewal of a four- or eight-year certificate

            c.  ASAP after all subsequent license renewals

Forms you will need:

            a.  Individual Professional Development Plan Form

            b.  Agency goals (BCESC, HeadStart, Assigned District – please attach)

            c.  Butler County Educational Unit Options Chart

Directions:

1.   Complete Personal and Licensure information at the top of  the

      Individual Professional Development Plan Form.

2.  Column 1 – your goals must match with your agency goals (b above).   It may be easier to do  Column 2 first.

3.  Column 2  -  Your Professional Goals should

            a. have a personal focus, reflecting new learning or increased personal responsibility,

                such as improved practice, increased knowledge, improved skill-base, etc.

            b. relate to the certificate/licensure area(s) to be renewed

            c. reflect current definitions of high quality professional development

4.  Column 3 – How to Acquire

            a.  Use the Butler County Educational Unit Options Chart  to select appropriate

                 opportunities/programs/activities to meet your professional goals.

            b.  You will need 18 BCEUs to renew your certificate/license.  Be sure you have afforded

                 yourself ample  options.   Just because you have listed an option, does not mean you must utilize it

                 or utilize it to its maximum.

            c.  If you later wish to use an Option on Butler County Educational Unit Options Chart

                 that is NOT on your approved IPDP, you must amend your IPDP

                (See How Do I Amend My IPDP)

            d.  If you wish to utilize an opportunity/program/activity NOT on the Butler County

                 Educational Unit Options Chart , you must have approval of the LPDC PRIOR to

                 engaging in that activity.

            e.  The Butler County Educational Unit Options Chart also tells you how you will meet

                 criteria for each activity.   You will need this when it is time to verify your BCEUs

                 for renewal.

5.  Submit your original signed, and dated IPDP with 4 copies of the form to the LPDC chair.

6.   LPDC meets monthly.   You will hear from the LPDC Chair within three weeks of the

      meeting whether your IPDP has been approved, denied, or in need of modifications.

 Review Educator Responsibilities with regard to timelines and record keeping.

 HOW DO I AMEND MY IPDP?

When should I amend my IPDP?

a.  Any certified/licensed person hired by the BCESC who changes job functions, shall

     review the present IPDP to verify continued appropriateness. If the new job function

     varies from the previous one, a new IPDP must be completed and approved by the

     LPDC to reflect the new job duties. All materials should be submitted to the LPDC

     within ninety (90) calendar days of the job change.

            b.  Any added certification/licensure area should be reflected in the IPDP.  All materials

     should be submitted to the LPDC within ninety (90) calendar days of the addition of

     the new certification/licensure area.

c.       If you wish to exercise a Butler County Educational Unit Option (i.e., mentoring) not

      on your original IPDP.

Forms you will need:

            a.  Individual Professional Development Plan Form

            b.  Agency goals (BCESC , HeadStart , Assigned District – please  attach)

            c.  Butler County Educational Unit Options Chart

Directions:

1.   Complete Personal and Licensure information at the top of the

      Individual Professional Development Plan Form.   Check Amended IPDP in the upper right hand corner.

2.  Column 1 – your goals must match with your agency goals (b above).   It may be easier to do Column 2 first.

3.  Column 2  -  Add a Professional Goals to reflect new learning or increased personal  responsibility, such as improved

     practice, increased knowledge, improved skill-base, etc. in    your new certification/licensure area and reflect

    current definitions of high quality professional development.

 4.  Column 3 – How to Acquire

            a.  Use the Butler County Educational Unit Options Chart  to select appropriate

                 opportunities/programs/activities to meet your professional goals.   See How Do I

                 Write an IPDP for specific information.

5.  Submit your original signed, and dated amended IPDP with 4 copies of the form to the

     LPDC chair.

6.   LPDC meets monthly.   You will hear from the LPDC Chair within three weeks of the meeting whether

      your amended IPDP has been approved, denied, or in need of modifications.

Review Educator Responsibilities with regard to timelines and record keeping.

HOW DO I VERIFY WORK ON MY IPDP AND RENEW MY LICENSE?

When should I verify work on my IPDP to renew my license?

            a.  You may submit your renewal to the LPDC any time from January 1^st to September 1^st of the year your

                 license/certificate expires

            b.  Organize your documentation and keep with your IPDP as soon as your IPDP is  approved.

            c.  All work and documentation must be submitted to the LPDC no later than September 1

                following the expiration of your license/certificate.

Forms you will need:

            a.   Your signed and approved Individual Professional Development Plan. 

                  Be sure to include signature page.

            b.   Documentation to show professional development activities completed according to your IPDP. 

                  See Butler County Educational Unit Options Chart for acceptable verification documents (column 4).

            c.   Summary of Licensure Renewal Activities form

            d.   One of these, as appropriate to your renewal:

                  LPDC Verification Form for Transition of Certificate to License

                  LDPC Verification Form for Renewal of Five-Year License

                  LPDC Verification Form for Renewal of Eight-Year Professional Certificate

            e.   Application for Renewal

     (online at http://www.ode.state.oh.us/teaching-profession/teacher/certification_licensure/

     or from Human Resources Department)

            f.   Personal check for appropriate amount

Directions:

1.   Complete the above forms.

2.   Submit them to Human Resources.  Human Resources will forward the appropriate forms to the LPDC Chairperson.

3.   The LPDC will confirm the accuracy of the information and approve or ask for clarification.

4.   Once approved, the LPDC Chairperson will sign and  return all forms to Human Resources.

5.   Human Resources will submit the appropriate forms and check to ODE Consultant and will return documentation to you.

6.   Certificate will be mailed to Human Resources office and forwarded by them to the employee.

Review Educator Responsibilities with regard to timelines and record keeping.
 

NEWLY HIRED

Individuals coming from an agency that did not have an LPDC must begin the IPDP process early. Previous college credit hours can only be approved for the period of time from the issuance of the certificate to the hire date. After the hire date, a member must have an approved IPDP in place.  See How Do I Write an IPDP

 RECIPROCITY

Certified/licensed individuals hired by the BCESC from another school district or agency should submit a new IPDP and all materials previously approved by the outside district or agency to the Butler County LPDC. FORM:  Verification When Leaving an LPDC.  All materials should be submitted within ninety (90) calendar days of the start of employment. Activities previously approved and completed, or in process, prior to employment at the BCESC shall be accepted. No new additional professional development credits can be earned until the new IPDP has been approved by the LPDC.

JOB CHANGES WITHIN THE SAME ORGANIZATION

Any certified/licensed person hired by the BCESC who changes job functions, shall review the present IPDP to verify continued appropriateness. If the new job function varies from the previous one, a new IPDP must be completed and approved by the LPDC to reflect the new job duties. All materials should be submitted to the LPDC within ninety (90) calendar days of the job change.   FORM: How Do I Amend My Individual Professional Development Plan?

APPEAL PROCESS

The appeal of a decision made by the LPDC shall be a two-step procedure.  The first step shall be to appeal to the LPDC.  If denied, the second step shall be to appeal to a three-member panel whose decision is binding.  Time-lines outlined below shall be applied in all cases unless extended by mutual consent of all parties.

·        If an individual wants to appeal the LPDCs first decision, he/she should submit a written appeal to the LPDC chair. This appeal must be submitted to the LPDC chairperson within ten (10) working days after the denial of the original proposal. This appeal will then be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled LPDC meeting; the appellant may present her/his rationale at the meeting. The chair shall provide written notification to the appellant of the committee’s decision on the appeal within five (5) working days after the committee renders its decision.

·        If after the reconsideration process has taken place, the LPDC and the educator are still unable to come to agreement, a three-member panel should review the decision. The panel will consist of one licensed educator selected by the LPDC, one licensed educator selected by the educator, and one licensed educator agreed upon by the LPDC and educator. These three individuals then function as a panel to review the LPDC decision and either uphold it or overturn it. The panel shall be selected prior to the next LPDC meeting and convened at said meeting or at a time mutually agreed upon. A majority vote of this panel will determine the outcome.