GUIDELINES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT

Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt requires that each administrator and instructional staff member earn a minimum of six credits during each five years of employment.  These six credits may be earned through regularly established collegiate or university courses or may be granted through equivalent activities; such as: workshops, seminars, professional meetings, travel, publications, presentation of professional papers, self-study activities, and similar professional experiences.   If a staff member elects to earn any of these credits through equivalent activities, the following policies apply:

• The Roosevelt pay scales reflect semester credit units.  A quarter credit unit is equivalent to two-thirds of a semester credit.
• In general, fifteen hours of study or preparation is equivalent to a semester unit of credit if the activity includes additional outside study and/or a project.
• The smallest unit of credit to be awarded is .25 units and that is only for on campus activities.  Activities held off campus require at least eight hours of work to be considered for one half unit of credit.

INSERVICE (Equivalent credit: 8 hours = ½ credit)

Workshops, seminars, and meetings that are sponsored by the school or approved school system and directed by a professionally competent individual may be considered as an equivalent activity.  Such seminars, workshops, and meetings must have a clearly defined purpose and must be designed to improve the professional competency of the participants or their expertise in the subject areas in which they teach.  For each eight contact hours spent in such workshops, seminars, or meetings, one-half unit of credit may be awarded.  Prior approval for attendance is required by principal.

MEETINGS / CONVENTIONS (Equivalent credit: 12 hours = ½ credit)

Professional meetings or conventions that are sponsored by a collegiate institution, an educational system, or a professional association may be considered for equivalent credit.  Such meetings or conventions shall have an agenda that covers topics of professional interest and shall be organized and directed by qualified professionals.  For each 12 hours of actual attendance at sessions of these meetings or conventions, one-half unit of credit may be awarded. Prior approval for attendance is required by the appropriate principal.

TRAVEL (Equivalent credit: 8 to 14 day diary  = ½ credit)

To be granted equivalent credit, travel shall include professional experiences designed to increase the competence or expertise of the staff member in the field of work.  One-half unit of credit may be granted for each two weeks (14 days) or major portion thereof (8 days).  Credit shall not be granted unless the staff member prepares a diary of the trip and filed with personal records.  Prior approval is required by the appropriate principal.

PRESENTATIONS / PUBLICATIONS (Equivalent credit: 2000 words / 25 minutes = ½ credit)

Publications on educational topics and papers presented at educational meetings may be considered for equivalent credit.  One-half unit of credit may be granted for each 2,000 written words or for each 25 minutes of oral presentation.  Prior approval is required by the appropriate principal.

SELF-STUDY / VISITING COMMITTEE (Equivalent credit: participation at other schools in self study, consultant, or visiting committee member = 1 credit)

Participation in a self-study or on a visiting committee for purposes of accreditation may be considered for equivalent credit. Up to one unit of credit may be awarded for committee membership in the self-study or membership on a visiting committee.  Prior approval is required by the appropriate principal.

SABBATICALS:  Teachers interested in applying for study leave should submit a written request to their principal.  If the request receives the approval and recommendation of the principal, the application will be forwarded to the Superintendent.  The Superintendent will then present the application with his recommendation to the Board of Directors for a final decision. 

A complete record of any activity for which credit is awarded shall be maintained in the personnel file of each staff member.  Each activity above which is to be used for equivalent credit shall be approved by the Superintendent.

All Roosevelt teachers will be required to maintain their academic credentials.  The standard expected by the school will be a minimum of six units of graduate credit, or the equivalent, for each five years of teaching.  Credits may not be accumulated, but must correspond to the most recent five-year period.

Teachers who do not meet the minimum qualifications within any five-year period may not be eligible for pay increases awarded by the school.  If qualifications are not regularized within a prescribed period, the teacher may be subject to termination.

Salary advancement to reflect additional academic qualifications will only be made at the beginning of the semester following a teacher’s submission of proof of pre-requisite credits.  It will be the responsibility of the teacher, not the school, to apply for changes in salary scale status.  Professional Development Credit Applications must be submitted and must be accompanied by appropriate documentation to be considered.

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