MDE Issues Update on District Provided Professional Development

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/25/2015 - 00:00

The Michigan Department of Education issued a memorandum on May 14, 2015 announcing that all Michigan educators may use District Provided Professional Development (DPPD) to advance a provi­sional teaching certificate to a professional education certificate or to renew the following MDE issued certificates or licenses:

  • Professional Education Certificate
  • Occupational Education Certificate
  • School Administrator Certificate
  • School Counselor License
  • School Psychologist Certificate

Section 1527 of the Revised School Code requires that school districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies provide at least five days of teacher professional development each school year. MDE defines DPPD “as professional development of­fered in compliance with state law and/or that the District has supported the teacher either by providing a substitute teacher, paying for the conference or ex­penses for registration fees, or providing released (sic) time for attendance at professional development ac­tivities.” MDE previously specified that DPPD can be counted to renew a professional or occupational certificate if it is: (1) relevant, on-going, and job-embedded; (2) specific to the teacher’s needs; (3) aligned to the school improvement plan or individual professional development plans; and (4) focused on student learning.

In its memorandum, MDE stated that the teacher’s job assignment is no longer relevant to the use of DPPD for certificate advancement or renewal. Nevertheless, MDE reminded school officials that DPPD must be appropriate to the grade levels and en­dorsement areas for which the educator is certified. Additionally, MDE noted that DPPD must satisfy all auditing and documentation requirements established by MDE.

School officials should remember that DPPD does not count toward the required 15 days of professional development mandated for new teachers pursuant to Section 1526 of the Revised School Code.

Thrun Law Firm has posted MDE’s guidance on our website under “Links.”