1. Earning Professional Learning Units (PLUs) Through Approved Professional Study Winter 2010

2. Alabama State Department of Education (SDE) Leadership and Evaluation Unit Gordon Persons Building Room 3323 P.O. Box 302101 Montgomery, AL 36130-2101

3. Chris Wilson SDE Leadership & Evaluation - Content (334)353-8646, cwilson@alsde.educwilson@alsde.edu Telena Madison SDE Leadership & Evaluation - Website/Technology (334)353-5230, tmadison@alsde.edutmadison@alsde.edu SDE Teacher Education and Certification (334) 353- 8567 SDE Technology Initiatives, STI PD (334)242-9594

4. VisitSelect ACLD Professional Study (PS) Application and Resources

5. Alabama Council for Leadership Development (ACLD) Maintaining Instructional Leader Certification Earning Professional Learning Units Approved Professional Study Today’s Focus

6. Appointed By State Superintendent of Education Serve Three-Year Staggered Term Members Superintendents Central office instructional leaders Principals Assistant principals Teachers Supported by SDE Leadership and Evaluation Unit

8. 1. Planning for Continuous Improvement 2. Teaching and Learning 3. Human Resources Development 4. Diversity 5. Community and Stakeholder Relationships 6. Technology 7. Management of the Learning Organization 8. Ethics

10. 1. Organize adults into learning communities 2. Require knowledgeable and skillful school and district leaders 3. Provide resources 4. Use disaggregated student data 5. Use multiple sources of information 6. Prepare educators to apply research 7. Use learning strategies 8. Apply knowledge about human learning and change 9. Provide educators with collaborative skills 10. Prepare educators to understand and appreciate all students 11. Deepen educators’ content knowledge 12. Provide educators with knowledge and skills to involve families and stakeholders

11. Fully addresses Alabama Standards for Instructional Leaders Alabama Standards for Instructional Leaders Completely aligns to Alabama Standards for Professional Development Alabama Standards for Professional Development Approved two ways ACLD ACLD Local education agency (LEA) superintendent Local education agency (LEA) superintendent Applies to All educators maintaining instructional leader certification All educators maintaining instructional leader certification Only method to earn Professional Learning Units

14. Reminder Local Education Agencies are not required to submit locally approved professional study to the ACLD for review or approval. Reminder LEAs are not required to submit locally approved professional studies to the ACLD or SDE for approval.

15. WHAT IS A PLU? Content driven, long-term Fully addresses the Alabama Standards for Instructional Leaders Completely aligned to the Alabama Standards for Professional Development Earned upon completion of approved professional study Replaces the continuing education unit (CEU) WHO MUST EARN A PLU? All educators electing to maintain their instructional leader certification HOW WILL PLUs BE RECORDED? Software Technology Incorporated, Professional Development (STI PD) Software Technology Incorporated, Professional Development (STI PD) For approved college courses to earn PLU credit, official transcripts must be submitted (in sealed envelopes) from the institution. For approved college courses to earn PLU credit, official transcripts must be submitted (in sealed envelopes) from the institution.

16. To maintain instructional leader certification, five PLUs must be earned over a five-year certification cycle. At least two PLUs must be earned from ACLD approved professional studies. Two PLUs may be earned from an LEA approved professional study. The fifth PLU may be earned from professional studies approved by either the ACLD or the LEA. WHEN DID THIS BEGIN? 2009 A method for transitioning from CEUs to PLUs over a five-year period is in place. Complete conversion to PLUs anticipated by 2014.

17. Approved Professional Study and Professional Learning Units  ARE directly related to an individual’s instructional leader certification.  ARE NOT related to an individual’s position, role or place of employment. Important

18. Includes anyone holding a valid Alabama certificate in one or more of the following areas:  Superintendent  Superintendent-Principal  Principal (any grade level)  Educational Administrator  Supervisor (any subject and/or grade level)  Administrator of Career and Technical Education  Instructional Leader

19.  Submit a Duplicate Certificate Request (Form DUP)  Submit a $30 fee to the SDE  If employed by an LEA, the LEA will have Form DUP  All individuals, regardless of employment, may obtain Form DUP by going to the SDE website at www.alsde.edu. - Click on Sections - Select Teacher Education and Certification - Select Publications - Select Forms - Select Form DUP and download  Directions for completion of form and fee submission are included in Form DUP

20.  Individuals may also access their certificate information at www.alsde.edu. www.alsde.edu  Once there, go to Teaching in Alabama on the Home Page.  There is no charge for this method of access.  Individuals will not obtain another certificate. However, their certificate information is available at this site.

21. State Department of Education Alabama Math, Science, & Technology Initiative  Standards 1 & 2 Alabama Reading Initiative  Standard 2 Curriculum/Instruction–Making Middle Grades Work  Standard 1 Federal Programs - Coordinators  Standard 7 Federal Programs - English Language Learners  Standard 2 Federal Programs – School Improvement  Standard 1

22. State Department of Education Leadership/Edvantia, Incorporated Shared Leadership Shared Leadership Re-culturing for Student Success Re-culturing for Student Success  Standards 1 & 5 Leadership/Federal Programs Alabama Leadership Success Academy Alabama Leadership Success Academy  Standard 1 Leadership/Evaluation – EDUCATEAlabama  Standard 7

23. Agencies, Associations, Organizations Alabama Association of School Boards  Standard 1 Alabama Education Association  Standards 1,2,4, 5, 6, & 7 Alabama Reading Associaton  Standard 2 Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools  Standards 1,2,3,4,6, & 7 School Superintendents of Alabama  Standards 6 & 7 School Superintendents of Alabama/A+  Standard 1 School Superintendents of Alabama/Apple Inc.  Standard 6

24. Other Entities e-Learning for Alabama Educators AL Public Television/State Department of Education  Standards 1 & 6 Education Leadership Center for the Wiregrass  Standards 1,2, & 7

25. Private Providers Curriculum Advantage, Inc.  Standard 2 Education & Assessment Solutions, Inc.  Standard 2 Information Transport Solutions, Inc.  Standard 6

26. Auburn City  Standard 1 Blount County  Standard 2 Cleburne County  Standard 2 Cullman County  Standards 1 & 5 Elmore County  Standard 2 Ft. Payne City  Standard 2 Gadsden City  Standard 7 Lawrence County  Standard 1 Phenix City  Standards 2 & 6 Shelby County  Standard 1 Vestavia Hill City  Standard 7

28. FAQs

30. To view ACLD approved professional study applications, follow the steps listed below: 1. Go to https://www.leadershipalsde.comhttps://www.leadershipalsde.com 2. Select, the Search linkSearch 3. Select, the Fiscal Year 2009, under the Public Application Search section 4. Then, click the button to populate the list 5. Next, select the View Application link 6. Then, select View/Print Entire Application link to see all content Search

31. Be sure to check the box and enter the provider’s name.

32. No

33. May a person carry-over PLUs from one five-year certification cycle to the next cycle? No

34. How many PLUs must be earned from an ACLD approved professional study over a five-year certification renewal cycle? Two

35. Are PLUs required to be earned from a locally approved professionalstudy? No

36. What if a person moves or changes positions while participating in an approved professional study? Continued participation in an approved professional study may be determined upon agreement between the participant, and former/current employers.

37. Yes !

39. May PLUs be earned from college course credit received from institutions of higher education (e.g., online, out of state) that are not part of Alabama’s university redesign? Not from ACLD/SDE approval,however...

40. May PLUs be earned from college course credit received from institutions of higher education (e.g., online, out of state) that are not part of Alabama’s university redesign, if a local superintendent approves this coursework?

41. Education specialist or doctoral level administrative coursework completed at institutions outside of Alabama may be used as a PLU only if the course is approved by the Alabama superintendent or headmaster. No more than three PLUs approved by the local superintendent may be used towards the renewal of a certificate in administration and/or supervision. Note All coursework at Alabama institutions that have been approved for use as a PLU (through the SDE) can be found at http://alex.state.al.us/leadership.

42. Approved Professional Study Status Since the Last ACLD Review

43. ** The Alabama Council for Leadership Development (ACLD) and the Alabama State Department of Education (SDE) do not endorse any groups, organizations, associations, agencies, individuals, private providers, vendors, and/or any other entities that submit Professional Study (PS) Applications for ACLD approval to earn Professional Learning Unit (PLU) status. ACLD approval is strictly for the content and delivery of the professional study provided through the application process.

44.  Preview the approved professional studies (PS) on Leadership & Evaluation website.  Contact the provider listed by each PS you find of interest.  The provider should assist by providing:  Additional information on the PS  A method/means to register for the PS  Assistance/facilitation during the PS  Documentation of successful completion of PS to earn professional learning unit(s) through Software Technology Incorporated, Professional Development (STI PD)

45.  Contact the person responsible for professional development at your local education agency (LEA) central office.  Determine if locally approved professional study is available to you.  Participate, as applicable, and as allowed by your local superintendent and/or supervisor.  Upon successful completion of locally approved professional study:  Ensure participation is documented through STI PD, in accordance with local policies.

46. FAQ Memorandum January 13, 2009 from State Superintendent of Education Joseph B. Morton Points to Remember Questions asked by over 4,200 Alabama educators Questions asked by over 4,200 Alabama educators Responses were compiled from the ACLD and SDE Responses were compiled from the ACLD and SDE Applies to individuals holding a valid Alabama instructional leader certificate Applies to individuals holding a valid Alabama instructional leader certificate FAQ Document is marked DRAFT, January 13, 2009 FAQ Document is marked DRAFT, January 13, 2009 as new instructional leader certification and the approved professional study process is refined. Responses may be subject to change as new instructional leader certification and the approved professional study process is refined. YOU MAY COPY !!

48. MoreQuestions

49. Thank you for your time !