The PURPOSE of Professional Learning is to provide professional learning opportunities for all employees in the school district.  The ultimate goal is to strengthen and improve instruction, which positively impacts student achievement.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING UNITS (PLUs) are awarded for completion of courses. Some PLUs could be used for certification renewal.  To be used for re-certification, a class must be directly related to your instructional (not personal) goals. PLUs are based both on contact hours of instruction focused on specific objectives and verification that the instruction has been fulfilled.  Ten contact hours of instruction equals one PLU.  Participants are expected to spend approximately ten clock hours of preparation or implementation outside of class for each PLU of credit.   

ATTENDANCE in Professional Learning courses is mandatory.  It is your responsibility to clear your personal calendar before you register for a course.  The State of Georgia and the Muscogee County School District require ten hours of classroom instruction for one PLU to be awarded.  No more than ten percent of the total contact hours will be allowed as excused absences.  It is the responsibility of the participant to make up work missed for excused absences at the convenience of the instructor.  Participants are expected to be on time and stay for the entire class session.

VERIFICATION OF COMPLETION may be through on-the-job assessment, conducted by the principal or a designee, or through mastery verification conducted by the instructor during the course.  The type of verification used is determined on the professional learning proposal.  Course credit is awarded after the on-the-job assessment is received, or if mastery verification is used, when the class roll is returned and verification is marked “completed” by the instructor.

CERTIFICATION RENEWAL is your responsibility.  Professional Georgia teaching certificates must be renewed every five years.  Records for completed staff development courses are stored in the system’s mainframe computer until needed for certification renewal.  You may access your transcript through EmployeeNet.  If you wish to add college credits to your transcript, please mail a copy of official transcripts to Belinda Engle in Human Resources at the Central Office.  You can check your certification status online on the website of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

If a course has "maxed out," a WAITING LIST is generated.  If you try to register online for a course and the class is full, you will see a button that will add you to the waiting list.  If a slot becomes available, the next person on the waiting list will automatically be registered for the class and will receive a confirmation by email.

You (and your principal) will receive an email CONFIRMATION when you register. If you do not receive a notice that the class is full or cancelled, your attendance will be expected.

If you have registered for a class and decide not to attend, you should CANCEL your registration online at least two working days before the first day of class. When you cancel your registration online, you will receive an email confirmation.  Your principal will also receive a confirmation of the cancellation.  Principals also receive notifications of "no-shows."

PRIOR APPROVAL FORMS are required for staff development courses taken outside of the School District (out of system).  Note these steps if you plan to take a course from another state agency.

• Complete a Prior Approval for Out of System Course Form.

• Send the form to Staff Development; the form will be returned to you, signed.

• Have the instructor certify your completion of the course.

• Return all documentation to Staff Development.