September 2006

No. 200614

NYSUT has received questions and concerns from locals throughout the state regarding the ineffectiveness or absence of their district's Professional Development Planning process. Some districts that have developed Professional Development Plans have refused to include in that plan activities funded under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. NYSUT has told the State Education Department it believes all professional development, regardless of funding source, should be included in the district's plan and overseen by the Professional Development Planning Committee. The State Education Department supports this thinking.

In a November 22, 2002 memo to District Superintendents and Superintendents of Big 5 City School Districts, New York State Education Department Deputy Commissioner Kadamus wrote:

"We have received a number of questions about timing and funding under NCLB for professional development and the relationship to the state's requirement for Professional Development Plans. These plans are intended to guide all professional development in a district. Resources for professional development from federal funds should be used within the framework of your Professional Development Plans. This may be a good time for districts to consider updating their Professional Development Plans in light of the Title I and Title II funds that are available."

The comment from Kadamus, "These plans are intended to guide all professional development in a district." is a critical development for local leaders and labor relations specialists.

In a letter to a NYSUT local president on the issue of the PDP, Assistant Commissioner Jim Butterworth advises PDP committees to work closely with school principals to implement the comprehensive professional development activities that have been planned. He also states:

"All school districts are required to provide substantial professional development opportunities each year for teachers in their employ. If, after the Committee has met to develop the calendar of comprehensive professional development, the district refuses to implement the Plan, complainants should file a local written complaint to the superintendent that lists specific charges and suggests appropriate remedy. When issues cannot be resolved at the local level that may involve compliance with Commissioner's Regulations, an appeal may be filed under Section 310 of the State Education Law."

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