Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) How many points do I have?
Each August each licensed staff member receives a copy of his/her updated transcript. The updates include points added from June 1-May 31 of the previous school year. You should keep a copy of this transcript. During the school year, the curriculum director can check what points have been added and give you a current total via email. When you are ready to fill out your relicensure application, the central office secretary will get you a stamped, signed, and sealed licensure transcript for you to send to the state. Please allow at least a week for this.
2) When does my license expire and do I have enough points?
The best place to look for how many points you need (renewal requirements) and when your license expires is your license itself. There are different licenses so be sure to look at YOURS for specific information. Renewing your license is your responsibility.
Your licensure transcript also has your license expiration date printed at the bottom. In our database we have a running total of all your licensure points from all years of employment with USD 417. Nothing is ever subtracted. However, only the points within the life of your license can be used for relicensure. So your transcript will only show the points available to you depending on the life of your license. You can double-check this by counting back five years from your expiration date, for example (or however far...depending on your license).
3) Am I automatically enrolled in our district’s Professional Development system?
No. Make sure you’ve signed up for the “USD 417 Professional Development Plan” during the August back-to-school meetings each year. We must have your signature stating that you want the district to file a plan for you. The sign-up sheet “enrolls” you in the process with the state and gives you permission to use district and building activities for points as well as Individual Development Plans (IDP) for points.
4) Should I keep my own PDC files or does the central office keep those for me?
The central office is required to keep a permanent file for you of your PDC activities. However, keep a file of your own! Include:
- Copies or originals of IDPs and program information sent to PDC.
- Copies or originals of Verification Forms, proof of attendance and written response sent in to PDC.
- Approved forms sent back to you.
The Professional Development Plan has spaces to write in your own IDP activities each year. As you can tell from that form, start your IDPs with 100 because District Plan Activities start at #1 and Building Activities start at #20.
5) Do I have to fill out an IDP before I take college hours?
Yes. College hours no matter what have to go through PDC - the only exception are those in approved programs (have a degree plan) which lead to an additional endorsement. College credits are put on all Licensure Transcripts. When you apply for relicensure, the state has to see the credit hours posted as well as receiving the official sealed college transcripts (if you do not have an advanced degree).
6) Does PDC have to have an official college transcript as proof of attendance with a verification form?
No. If you want to turn in a copy of your college transcript to PDC as proof of attendance, that is fine, but not necessary. A syllabus or enrollment receipt is also acceptable. Make sure the college that you use is approved by the state of Kansas or the region where it is located!! Also, if you want to take undergraduate hours, they must be approved in advance by the superintendent.
7) I want to take a class/training in the summer – how do I fill out an IDP Form and get a Verification Form turned in time without my principal’s signature?
In the summer, any administrator may be asked to approve an IDP, including those at the central office. IDPs are held for approval by PDC at their first August meeting. Any class/training taken during the summer must be verified 10 days from the first contract day in August – not 10 days from the end of the class/training.
8) I attended a district staff development activity but the points weren't on my transcript. Why not?
To receive points, you must have signed an attendance sheet at each session that you attended. If you are on a committee that meets regularly, the chair should have kept a master attendance sheet for the entire year which is then turned in to PDC. The activities on the district plan may change from year to year – be sure you look at what activities are listed for the current year!
9) How do I get points on my transcript for an Individual Activity?
Before the class/training/workshop:
1) Submit a completed IDP along with program information to your building principal for approval before the training.
2) The building principal will forward the IDP/info to District Office for the next PDC meeting.
3) After the PDC meeting, you will receive your original IDP (and program information) back with a cover page that includes PDC members’ initials of approval OR you will receive your original back with questions to be answered/items to be corrected. A copy is made of the whole packet before it is sent back to keep in your “working file” at the district office. The PDC minutes will also list each IDP that was approved or sent back for more information.
After the class/training/workshop:
1) Submit a completed Verification, proof of attendance, and written response to your building principal for approval within 10 days after the end of class/training.
2) The building principal will forward Verification/info to District Office for final approval and posting of points.
3) After posting, you will receive a copy of the Verification Form only (on colored paper) with the amount of points you received noted.
4) The points are posted on your Licensure Transcript and the entire original Verification Packet is filed in your permanent PDC file.
10) Are there any district activities for which I must use an IDP to get points?
Yes. Using an IDP, you may get points for being a Site Council member. You may also get points for being a Mentor.
Site Council: submit an IDP which encompasses all the meetings for the year. Verifications may be turned in after each meeting OR a verification form covering the entire year may be turned in within 10 days after the final meeting to determine if points can be awarded under "Service to the Profession."
Mentor: submit an IDP showing expected meeting dates. Keep a log of your meetings. The log would at least need to include dates, time met each date, and topic(s). Be sure your entries show very clearly if the meeting is on-contract or off-contract. You and the mentee should both sign the log at completion. Submit the log and verification form for points.
11) Can I get points for attending the Kansas Coaching School?
Yes. You need to submit an IDP stating what the coaching school does for your classroom teaching - leadership, discipline techniques, etc. Those without PE endorsements or PE duties will need to make the connection with classroom responsibilities with both the IDP and verification forms.
