DISTRICT’S MISSION - It is the mission of Portland Public Schools to support all students in achieving their very highest educational and personal potential, to inspire in them an enduring love for learning, and to prepare them to contribute as citizens of a diverse, multicultural, and international community. To this end, the District’s Professional Development Plan will outline goals that support continuous staff improvement in teaching and learning.

Bargaining Unit Members’ (hereafter referred to as educators) Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plans shall be consistent with the District’s mission and goals. The purpose of the plan is to assist educators to meet the requirements for license renewal as identified in OAR Chapter 584, Division 090, and may contain such other provisions as deemed appropriate by the District.

Educators shall develop plans that relate to the current goals for learning in the district, goals in their school’s school improvement plan and personal professional growth goals.

A. The District shall support employees in their pursuit of continuing professional development, including, but not limited to, activities that assist members to achieve District and state goals, to keep current with the development and use of best practices, and to develop ways to enhance learning for a diverse student body.
B. District staff contracted by the District in positions requiring TSPC licensure will follow the procedures provided below for meeting continuing professional development (CPD) requirements as required by TSPC
C. Each employee will identify CPD activities and experiences that address one or more of the following professional growth domains:
(a) Content of the subject matter or specialty area directly related to the educator's current assignment or to responsibilities the educator reasonably expect to be assigned.
(b) Strategies for assessment of pupil performance in achieving school and district objectives and State content standards and interpretation and application of the results.
(c) Methods for effective teaching, classroom management, counseling, supervision, leadership, and curriculum development
(d) Understanding of diversity in abilities, social and/or cultural background and use of such knowledge to promote achievement of high standards for all students.
(e) Knowledge of State and national education priorities and the application of that knowledge to one's school and district programs.
(f) Competence in the uses of technology in schools and the application of that knowledge to one's assignment.
D. CPD for license renewal is required for teachers, school psychologists, and counselors. Teachers with a Basic, Standard and Continuing license are required to complete a CPD plan at each renewal period. Substitute or Unemployed Educators may renew a Basic, Standard or continuing license upon verification of:
(a) Nine (9) quarter hours or six (6) semester hours of coursework from an approved teacher education program;
(b) 180 days of substitute experience in Oregon schools;
(c) A combination of (a) and (b) so that one (1) quarter-hour equals 20 days of sub time, and one (1) semester hour equals 30 days of sub time.
All new teachers graduating from an approved teacher education program after January 15, 1999 are receiving an Initial (rather than a Basic or Standard) License. This is defined as a "first-stage" license, therefore graduates with either a bachelors or masters degree are both still issued an Initial License.
An Initial License can be renewed only once, after three years of successful teaching. After six years, the applicant must meet all the requirements for a Continuing License, and is thereafter required to complete a CPD plan for license renewal.

E. Educators may choose to participate in the District CPD plan or to develop an Individual Continuing Professional Development plan (as provided by TSPC Professional Rules).
F. The supervisor will verify completion of the CPD.
1. The District CPD plan will assist the employee to:
a) Achieve district, state and national standards;
b) Keep current with the development and use of best practices; and
c) Develop ways to enhance learning for a diverse student body.
2. The District will provide certificates of completion for District-sponsored activities.
G. The responsibility for completing the Plan rests with the employee. The employee shall submit to the District the completed Professional Development Plan form. The completed form/s, which includes verification from the supervisor, will be retained in the District Human Resources office. The District will verify to TSPC that such employee completed the requirements for renewal of licensure
H. Modifications to the plan may be made at any time by the employee. Such modifications will be attached to their plan. The supervisor must approve modifications to the District plan if such modifications are not District approved activities.
I. An educator may carry over excess PDUs if they were documented in the last cycle and are appropriate activities for the next CPD plan.
J. The following professional development activities are approved activities under the District plan
· Building sponsored activities that support the SIP
· Site Inservice trainings
· District Inservice trainings
· Site Committee work
· District committee work
· ESD committee work
· State Committee work/State & National Boards & Commissions
· College Coursework
· Professional workshops/conferences/seminars
· Mentoring
· Professional Presentations/training
· Supervising Student Teachers
Additional professional development activities must meet the TSPC definitions, be mutually agreed upon by the supervisor and the employee, and may include but are not limited to the following:
· Action Research
· Analysis of Instruction
· Study Group
· Clinical Supervision
· Publication
· Participation in Foundations such as Fulbright, Ford, PPS
Review/verification of plan

The educator will conference with the supervisor for a district CPD at the beginning of the plan. Each 3-year plan will require 75 professional development units; each 5-year plan will require 125 units. The educator’s CPD plan will not be subject to the PPS/PAT evaluation process. All articles in the collective bargaining agreement will continue in accordance with the language and practice of the parties.
Memorandum of Agreement

PPS/PAT Individual CPD Plan
An educator who chooses to develop an individual CPD plan shall follow the TSPC guidelines in Division 90: 584-90-001 through 584-90-060. The educator may select a CPD advisor approved by the supervisor. Educators who choose an individual CPD plan may appeal to the Commission if a successful completion is not verified or if there are exceptional circumstances which justify an extension of time for completion. An educator who wishes to appeal must give written notice to the Commission of the appeal along with evidence of activities completed to fulfill the CPD plan. The Commission will review the appeal and make a decision within 120 days of receipt of the appeal notice.
Each 3-year plan will require 75 professional development units; each 5-year plan will require 125 units. The educator’s CPD plan will not be subject to the PPS/PAT evaluation process. All articles in the collective bargaining agreement will continue in accordance with the language and practice of the parties