Frequently Asked Questions



IPDP

  1. Why is this so limiting? Teachers are forced into small parameters.
    There is no intent to place unnecessary boundaries on your ambitions. The intent is to ensure sustained and meaningful professional development in one area of your professional development.
  2. What if I'd like to go into administration, counseling, or something that is not necessarily related to my teaching subject matter? (7-12 science)
    The purpose of the IPDP is to renew a certificate/license that you currently hold. It is sometimes possible to accomplish both goals in the course of a master's program. It is recommended that you consult an LPDC member and to seek pre-approval of any courses you want to apply to the IPDP prior to registration.
  3. Can you change your goal halfway through-once your IPDP is approved?
    The committee's bylaws do allow for this, but it can be risky. An educator who changes an IPDP goal midway runs the risk of losing the ability to apply any courses they have taken toward their 'new' IPDP. Exact details are outlined in the committee bylaws.
  4. Is there somewhere I can see EXAMPLES of IPDPs?
    There is no 'right' answer for your professional development plan. This is a personalized approach to professional development. There are some pointers available as part of the online LPDC website. Committee members are also available to discuss any ideas or concerns you may have.
  5. What do we do to get started? How do we get approved to start taking course work and conferences? How detailed do we need to be (i.e.) knowing what we are going to do over next 5 years?
    The first step in the licensure process is to write an IPDP. The requirement is that your goal must be clear and focused on one area of professional development.
  6. Can my goal just be to finish my master's degree?
    Your IPDP must be directed toward renewing the license(s) you currently hold. Master's coursework can be part of that process, but it can't be the foundation of your goal.
  7. Do I have to have an IPDP on file to get my first 5-year license?
    No. Educators in the first years of their career are issued a 2 year provisional license. Once you pass the Praxis 3 assessment (or equivalent for administrators), you will submit an application to the LPDC to transition to your first five-year license.
  8. If you have teaching responsibilities that are somewhat new to you, can you focus an IPDP around them? Example: yearbook (journalism and desktop publishing).
    You can, but be sure to investigate whether you will be able to get enough coursework to satisfy such a narrow goal area.
  9. Can Professional Growth options be changed? IE: If you check Option 4 combination and in the end you only have CEUs - Is this going to be ok?
    Yes.
  10. If you already have a Master's degree, can you use undergraduate course work under any circumstances? Can I take any undergraduate class/workshop for an IPDP?
    Yes.
  11. Can I take graduate classes through an online university if I have a master's already?
    Yes, online courses have become quite popular. Just check to be sure they have accreditation in Ohio.
  12. Language Arts and/or Math Goal: Can I write 2-context area, or should I limit myself to Language Arts? I would rather have the freedom to take courses or workshops in either context area.
    The requirement is that your goal be clear and focused. A goal spanning two content areas may be possible, but would require some careful wordsmithing as you prepare your goal in order to avoid a lack of focus.
  13. Do you write your IPDP before you get your license or after?
    The LPDC recommends that you write your IPDP soon after receiving your license. The bylaws require that you write one no later that 2 ½ years prior to the expiration of the license
  14. Do you have to come with an entire new goal every time you write an IPDP?
    There is no requirement that every goal be different than the one before it, but remember that this is your opportunity for choice and control over your professional development.

Pre Approvals

  1. What is the process for pre-approval?
    Complete the online form for the course you wish to take. You may also need to submit syllabi, course descriptions, or flyers to the Human Resources department via the school courier to help the committee make an informed decision.
  2. Do we need to apply for pre-approval every time?
    The answer to this question depends largely on the coursework that you are thinking of taking. If the organization offering the course is NOT on the pre-approved provider list, then you MUST have preapproval. If the course is offered by an institution on the preapproved provider list, then there is no requirement for pre-approval. Pre-approval is a smart idea, however, because it is the only way to ensure that your opinion as to whether the course “fits” your IPDP matches the opinion of the LPDC.
  3. If I did not obtain pre -approval for coursework and I am submitting all documentation for licensure, what specifically do I need to do?
    At the end of the licensure cycle, you will complete the Verification of Completion form and send it along with official college transcripts and/or official certificates of attendance showing CEU’s and times to the personnel office. It is sometimes also necessary to send course descriptions or syllabi to more fully explain how a particular course applies to your IPDP.

Timelines

  1. How long does pre-approval take? Weeks? Months?
    The LPDC meets monthly throughout the school year. The yearly schedule is published in on the LPDC section of the Stow-Munroe Falls website. Action is taken to grant pre-approvals as part of each meeting. Pre-approvals must be processed before the course ends, so be sure to submit requests for pre-approval in advance of these meetings.
  2. Can you submit before your license expiration date?
    Yes. You can send your Verification of Completion and transcripts/CEU certificates to the LPDC early. This is a wise move for educators as it allows you to be sure that you have indeed completed you IPDP well ahead of the licensure expiration dates.

  3. If you accrue more than 6 hours in 5 years and you want to start on the next topic/licensure cycle, can you start before the fact? (i.e.: while still in the former 5 years?)
    No. You must be working under an active IPDP for each 5-year cycle in order for the course work to count. Sorry, no 'rollover' minutes in licensure!
  4. Is there any benefit to beginning your 5-year license after only one year of your 2 year provisional if you pass PRAXIS in year one?
    This is permissible, and there may be benefits in certain cases. It would be a good idea to confer with an LPDC member to determine the potential benefits for you.

Licensure/Certification Process

  1. I'm on the second year of a two-year license. I took a 3-hour workshop last summer. Does it not count at all ever though I didn't work here yet?
    Work completed before you have an IPDP approved will not count. It can happen, however, that educators move from district to district. There is a reciprocity process that would allow such a person to bring hours with them to their new place of employment.
  2. I have passed PRAXIS III, and I am in my second year of teaching. When should I begin the IPDP process to receive my 5-year license?
    You may submit an IPDP once you have your first 5-year license issued by the state.
  3. Do I have to have an IPDP on file to get my first 5-year license?
    No. Upon completion of the PRAXIS 3 (or similar assessment process for administrators), you will be asked to complete a form and submit a fee to the state. The 5 year license is issued after the state receives this document. You should write your first IPDP at that time.
  4. Why only .1 hour CEU for professionals? Shouldn't 1hr=1 Ceu.
    1 hour of 'credit' is given for 1 hour of contact. The State of Ohio has set the standard that one Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is equal to 10 contact hours. 3 CEUs are equivalent to 1 university semester hour.
  5. If I complete the hard copy form, who do I sent it to?
    Any forms or correspondence for the LPDC should be directed to the Human Resources Department at Central Office.
  6. Can we work on the online form without submitting it, or do we need to submit the form by some other means?
    You can save work while composing forms online. The work is only actually sent to the LPDC when you press 'submit'.

Where can I find it?

  1. Where can we find approved list of organizations?
    The LPDC portion of the SMFCSD website has this list.
  2. Where is the verification of completion forms?
    As of July 1, 2006, the Stow-Munroe Falls LPDC is going paperless. That being said, the verification of completion form will remain available on the “home section” of the LPDC site in a .pdf format.
  3. Where can I find the dates that the committee meets?
    These dates are listed online.

What can I take?

  1. What if I want to take more than 6 semester hours?
    Many educators will take more than 6 hours during their licensure cycle as part of their plans for career advancement. The requirement for licensure renewal, however, is just 6 hours.
  2. Are online workshops or universities OK?
    Usually yes. Check to make sure that the institution is accredited and recognized by the State of Ohio.
  3. Is National Board certification worth equivalent semester hours?
    We can authorize up to 6 CEU's for completing the National board Certification Process. Also, many universities now offer cohort groups that would allow you to earn college credit for completing this rigorous process.
  4. Is having a student teacher worth any college equivalence?
    An educator can earn contact hours for working with student teachers. Whether or not this helps satisfy your licensure requirements depends on your individual goal. Pre-approval is strongly advised in this situation. Please refer to the grid for the number of hours for each activity.
  5. I'm involved in CAP. Can I work this in now?
    Yes. You would need to submit this as an other developmental activity proposal. This will require pre-approval by the LPDC.
  6. Does IPDP coursework hours have any bearing on the hours for the salary/pay scale chart? Are the only hours going to the pay scale are the ones that are approved for IPDP?
    While your IPDP/licensure work may advance your position on the salary scale, there is no requirement that course work must be approved by the LPDC in order to advance your salary. See the Master Agreement for specifics on salary advancement.

Miscellaneous

  1. How does a person get on LPDC?
    Appointments to the LPDC for teacher members are made by the Stow Teachers Association President. The Superintendent makes administrator appointments. This is in accordance with the Master Agreement.
  2. How can I renew my license during retirement?
    Local Professional Developmental Committees deal with licensure for educators employed by a school district. Substitutes and other educators not currently under contract must work through the Ohio Department of Education for their licensure concerns.