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Certificated Personnel Handbook

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IV. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

A. Professional Growth Period

Professional Growth Period refers to the six-year period during which permanent (tenured) certificated employees are required by law to give evidence of professional growth. Professional work taken during the summer just preceding the school year when the person attains tenure status may be counted to apply on the growth period which begins in September of the same year. Work completed during the summer between growth periods may be counted toward either the period just closed or the period which starts in September of the same year.

B. Professional Growth Activities

Professional Growth Activities shall refer to the kinds of professional work or activities herein listed which contribute to professional growth. The conditions and limitations under which such activities are performed and accepted may be reviewed and changed by resolution of the Board of Education from time to time. Unless the Board shall by resolution give direction to the contrary, credit for engaging in a newly approved activity shall be allowed only for work done after the date of approval of the activity. If activities are stricken from the list or conditions made more stringent, such changes shall not be retroactive with regard to work already begun. Changes in professional growth requirements will be implemented in such a way as to cause no penalty to those staff members who are currently working on professional growth requirements of the present period.

Persons contemplating professional growth activities are requested to consult with principals, coordinators, directors, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development, the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, the Associate Superintendent for Instruction, or the Superintendent of Schools, prior to engaging in the activity, for the purpose of ascertaining the feasibility of the activity being planned. This is especially important if there is doubt about the granting of credit for the activity contemplated.

Point System for Professional Growth Activities

Evidence of completed professional growth activities totaling 100 points (tenured staff) or 30 points (probationary staff) must be recorded on the Professional Growth Form. During an annual conference, the staff member and principal/supervisor will review the activities recorded for the year. At the end of the six-year professional growth period, the Professional Growth Form will be signed by the principal/supervisor and staff member to verify completion of the requirement. One copy of the form will be submitted to the Human Resources Office, one copy to the teacher and one to the principal/supervisor for the building personnel file.

Right of Appeal

In case any applicant wishes to appeal a decision rendered by the principal, he/she may make such appeal through the grievance procedures of the Lincoln Public Schools.

Activities acceptable for professional growth credit are:

Formal Classwork

1. College Credit earned in accredited colleges -- 16 2/3 points per semester hour

Applicant must submit a statement from the registrar showing that credit has been earned. This may be in the form of a transcript for credit notice. This statement will be placed in the personnel files after recognition by the building principal.

2. Auditing College Courses -- 16 2/3 points per semester hour.

Applicant must submit a statement from an official of the institution showing the number of class sessions attended together with total number held. The number of points allowed shall be the same as the number which would ordinarily be accredited for completing the course in the regular way and the staff member will be expected to complete all course requirements.

3. Formal Staff Development Courses or Staff Development Workshops conducted by Lincoln Public Schools -- 16 2/3 points per LPS credit hour.

Applicant must submit a statement from the Office of Staff Development showing that credit has been earned. (Such course will ordinarily be equivalent in time and quality to three-hour college courses.)

4. College Work Done in Specialized Training Schools -- 16 2/3 points per semester hour or hours equivalent.

Examples of this type of work would be foreign language institutes or training courses for driver education teachers. The applicant must submit a statement from the institution certifying that the work has been done.

5. Classwork--Adult Education Classes -- five clock hours time equal one point.

Professional growth credit for taking adult classes will be allowed only under specific conditions and circumstances.

a. The work to be done must contribute significantly to the professional growth of the person involved and to the assigned position of that person in the Lincoln Public Schools.

b. The application must have prior approval verified by the building principal, the Associate Superintendent for Instruction, the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, or the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development.

c. Credit for taking adult classes will be allowed only once for any one applicant.

Workshops or Institutes

1. Curriculum Workshops -- five clock hours of time equal two points

Committee work to be accredited for professional growth must involve the planning and development of curriculum guide or specific projects or activities designed for the betterment of the instructional program of the Lincoln Public Schools. Each application must be signed by the chairperson of the committee. It must indicate the nature of the committee's work and the time spent.

2. Special Classes or Workshops -- five clock hours of time equal two points

Examples are short-term art workshops, music workshops, departmental meetings under the direction of curriculum specialists or directors from the district offices (LPSDO).

Whenever college credit is granted for special classes or workshops, the basis for evaluation shall be the same as that for formal college work.

If special classes or workshops are established for which there is no college credit given, the basis of evaluation shall be determined by the staff member and building principal.

Each application for professional growth credit for work done in a workshop shall be signed by the leader of the special class or workshop as evidence of work done. It shall indicate the nature of the workshop and the number of hours spent in the workshop.

3. Specific Building Inservice Workshops -- five clock hours of time equal two points

Professional growth credit under this classification is given for participation in specific building inservice workshops organized and conducted at the request or suggestion of individual building principals and/or their staff. The exact number of professional growth points to be allowed for each workshop will be determined by the staff member and Director of Curriculum and Professional Development.

Teaching -- College, Adult Education, LPS Inservice

1. College Teaching in Accredited Colleges -- 10 points per semester hour

Applicant must submit a statement from an official of the institution showing that the course taught is of college rank and giving the number of hours credit usually earned by students taking the course.

2. Teaching Approved Adult Education Classes -- five clock hours time equal one point

3. Teaching Classes or Conducting Workshops Designed for LPS Staff -- 16 2/3 points for 15 clock hours

Applicant must submit a course outline indicating that the course taught is equivalent in time and quality to a three-hour college course.

Supervising Student Teachers

1. Supervising Student Teachers -- 10 points for each student teacher in an elementary or secondary school subject.

The above standards apply to all student teachers assigned for a quarter.

2. Supervising Teacher Trainees Other Than Student Teachers -- five points for each trainee.

Application must be verified by building principal or the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources.

Professional Publications

Publication of any piece of professional writing shall entitle the author to a maximum professional growth credit of 15 points.

Educational Travel and Attendance at Professional Conferences or Conventions

Professional growth credit under this classification may be allowed under one of three categories:

1. Sponsored tours with academic credit -- educational travel to be acceptable under this section must be under the direction of an accredited college or university which grants college credit. The number of professional growth points allowed will be described under "College Credit."

2. Tours without academic credit or independent travel must have prior approval by the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development and shall be evaluated on the basis of educational worth. As a general rule, tours or travel outside the United States and of not less than two weeks duration will be granted up to a maximum of 30 points. Up to 25 points will be granted for travel within the U.S. In order for credit to be allowed for travel within the U.S. the places visited must be shown to have value related to the assignment of the applicant. A report of how the travel experience will be integrated into the classroom activity or assignment should be made to the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development. The report might take such form as:

  • An article accepted for publication.
  • Preparation of materials so that it can be used as a unit of instruction.
  • Display or exhibit prepared for instructional use.
  • Pictorial description of the trip with accompanying notations.
  • Other forms of report may be accepted which show clear evidence of educational worth.

3. Attendance at professional conferences or conventions which relate to the area of assignment.

Professional Work Directed by Recognized Professional Educational Organizations, Conferences and Conventions

The organizations which come within the scope of this title are the National Education Association or any affiliated organization, the Nebraska State Education Association, the Lincoln Education Association and any other organization whose primary purpose is educational.

To meet the requirements of the Teacher Employment Act, work directed by recognized professional educational organizations must be of professional quality to be considered for professional growth credit.

Acceptable work may include: serving as officers, serving on committees, attending national or regional conventions or conferences or other work of a professional character. An application for credit under this section shall include the following items:

  • The period covered by the work and total number of hours served.

  • The problem or problems considered.

Time spent typing reports, collecting dues, telephoning or other routine or clerical services do not come within the intent and purpose of the law for professional growth credit.

Five hours of time spent in professional education service will entitle the applicant to two points.

District-wide Committees -- Number of Points to be Determined

Professional growth credit will be given to individuals serving on district-wide committees. Such individuals will be asked to serve by the central administration and the number of professional growth points allowed will be determined by the length of tenure and the extent of the responsibility involved. For most committees, five points per year would be appropriate.

Approved Innovative Projects and Action Research

Innovative projects and action research will receive up to 15 professional growth points, the number of points to be determined by the staff member and the building principal.

Other Activities

This section provides for the identification of activities worthy of professional growth which do not come within the scope of the above listing and descriptions. It applies only to professional activities clearly of a high quality which benefit the school district in some way. In making application for credit, the application shall present:

  • A description of the nature of the work and conditions under which it was done.
  • Evidence of completion of the work.

C. Staff Development

(See Professional Agreement, Article 5, Section 7)

D. Professional Conferences

It is the policy of the district to provide for staff representation at some educational conferences and for visitation to exemplary programs.

E. General Guidelines For Professional Travel (Policy Regulation 4640.9)

  1. The number of representatives per building attending various conferences or making visitations will be determined by the building principal and his/her staff in terms of the instructional program in the building.

  2. Applicants for expense reimbursement must be assigned to administrative, teaching or supervising responsibility in the area of emphasis covered by the meeting. Delegates must be members of the appropriate state and national organization during the current year.

  3. Approved applications will not be subject to transfer.

  4. Professional leave will not be granted to extend beyond the official dates of the conference or convention, except by specific approval of the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development.

  5. It is assumed that any person attending a conference will make a report of the conference to any appropriate group if called upon to do so.

  6. Employees requesting reimbursement for traveling expenses must obtain the Business Affairs publication, "Travel and Expense Guide" prior to travel. The employee must comply with these rules in order to receive reimbursement.

F. Professional Travel For Certificated Employees

Certificated employee travel opportunities shall be provided through one of the following channels:

  1. Building Request -- Each principal and members of his/her staff may request travel expense in connection with building staff development emphases and as indicated in the building staff development plan submitted annually to the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development.

  2. Curriculum Specialist Recommendation -- Curriculum specialists may recommend attendance at selected professional conferences or arrange for visitations to exemplary programs for the purpose of improving current LPS programs.

  3. Superintendent's Executive Committee Direction -- Under certain circumstances, Superintendent's Executive Committee may approve professional travel for individual teachers or groups of certificated employees for specific district-wide purposes.

  4. Individual Request -- Individual certificated employees may request professional leave for attendance at conferences or visitations to districts other than as described above, according to the following procedure:

Prior to the proposed conference or visitations, the staff member will submit a request for leave form and a request in writing for professional leave to the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development, describing the manner in which such attendance will contribute to his or her district assignment. This request must be accompanied by a supporting statement from the building principal or supervisor, and the curriculum specialist where applicable, subject to the final approval of the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development.

G. Guidelines for Reimbursement For Professional Travel For Certificated Employees (Policy Regulation 4640.9)

Employees requesting reimbursement for traveling expenses must obtain the Business Affairs publication, "Travel and Expense Guide" prior to travel. The employee must comply with these rules in order to receive reimbursement.

Indistrict Travel Reimbursement (Policy 4650)

(See Professional Agreement, Article 11)

Some positions within the district require travel between locations and use of a personal vehicle. Employees who are required to travel must carry the automobile liability insurance required by the State of Nebraska. The district does not assume responsibility for vehicles or other property damaged while in the course of travel related to job duties.

The following criteria shall be used to reimburse staff members within the district who use personal automobiles:

  1. Travel reimbursement will be granted when a certificated employee teaches in more than one school in a single day.
  2. Mileage will be paid for employees who are required to drive their own vehicles during the regular scheduled working hours between work sites. Claims wil not be honored unless the travel has been authorized by the appropriate supervisor or director.
  3. All employees required to travel on behalf of the district shall be reimbursed for expenses at the allowable rate determined by the State of Nebraska, unless otherwise required by law.

H. Professional Enhancement Fund and Tuition Credit System

The Professional Enhancement Fund (PEF) and Tuition Credit System is a program established to assist in the continued professional growth of certificated employees including administrators who support the UNL Teachers College program by working with UNL students. Certificated employees receive tuition credits for their work with students and may utilize these tuition credit points to pay for credit hours at UNL. In order to provide an opportunity for certificated employees who no longer need or want to take UNL classes to be compensated for their efforts, a Professional Enhancement Fund was developed.

The Professional Enhancement Fund is established from money paid by UNL to Lincoln Public Schools for certificated employees to utilize for a variety of activities determined by a joint LEA/LPS committee. A percentage of the Professional Enhancement Fund is available for Professional Enhancement Fund Special Projects.

Please refer to the Tuition Credit, Professional Enhancement Fund and PEF Special Projects Handbook for more information.