PLU Information:
As you know, effective January 1, 2020, professional learning will be required for the renewal of certificates. RIDE views professional learning as critical for educators to maintain and grow the knowledge and skills they need to effectively educate students. Professional learning will be measured using the Professional Learning Unit (PLU). PLU requirements will be phased in starting with certificates that expire in August of 2020. Teachers renewing professional or advanced certificates will be required, once fully phased in, to complete the equivalent of 20 professional learning units annually. Teachers seeking to transition from initial to professional certificates will be required, once fully phased in, to complete the equivalent of 30 professional learning units annually.
General categories are listed below that might help everyone understand what can count for PLUs. These categories include activities that improve, enhance or increase any of the
Following:
• Note: Activities that do not directly relate to improving educator practices, such as general logistics, school daily operations, safety trainings, and most committee work do not qualify for professional learning units. These are important activities for schools but are not considered professional learning.
To help translate activities into PLUs, guidance is provided for how to convert common professional learning activities into units.
Educators are responsible for the completion of PLUs and must maintain records of all activities that attest to participation in the activity and the PLUs earned.
North Smithfield is setting up a system to archive professional development. In the future, we will be using this system for prior approval and other features. Currently, we are using the “Historical PD Record Form.” This form will allow you to submit past /current PD hours (for PLUs) that you have earned. All submissions must have one attached document (agenda, ppt, syllabus, certificate of completion or other.) Although there are ten steps, it only takes a few minutes.
Resources:
As you know, effective January 1, 2020, professional learning will be required for the renewal of certificates. RIDE views professional learning as critical for educators to maintain and grow the knowledge and skills they need to effectively educate students. Professional learning will be measured using the Professional Learning Unit (PLU). PLU requirements will be phased in starting with certificates that expire in August of 2020. Teachers renewing professional or advanced certificates will be required, once fully phased in, to complete the equivalent of 20 professional learning units annually. Teachers seeking to transition from initial to professional certificates will be required, once fully phased in, to complete the equivalent of 30 professional learning units annually.
General categories are listed below that might help everyone understand what can count for PLUs. These categories include activities that improve, enhance or increase any of the
Following:
- Subject matter/content knowledge and skills
- Pedagogical knowledge or pedagogical content knowledge
- Curriculum implementation knowledge and skills
- Enhance educator effectiveness
• Note: Activities that do not directly relate to improving educator practices, such as general logistics, school daily operations, safety trainings, and most committee work do not qualify for professional learning units. These are important activities for schools but are not considered professional learning.
To help translate activities into PLUs, guidance is provided for how to convert common professional learning activities into units.
- 1 hour of a professional learning activity = 1 PLU
- 1 college credit = 15 PLUs
- 1 demonstrated competency = 5-10 PLUs
- 1 component of National Board Certification = 45 PLUs
- Completion of National Board = 180 PLUs
- Renewal of National Board = 90 PLUs
Educators are responsible for the completion of PLUs and must maintain records of all activities that attest to participation in the activity and the PLUs earned.
North Smithfield is setting up a system to archive professional development. In the future, we will be using this system for prior approval and other features. Currently, we are using the “Historical PD Record Form.” This form will allow you to submit past /current PD hours (for PLUs) that you have earned. All submissions must have one attached document (agenda, ppt, syllabus, certificate of completion or other.) Although there are ten steps, it only takes a few minutes.
Resources:
- PLU Slide Deck
- PLU Setup for Google Drive (copy NS PLU Spreadsheet, create PLU folder, upload frontline PD)
- Number of PLUs Required by certification type (pages 8-11)