What is professional learning?

Professional Learning is the means by which teachers, administrators, and other school and system employees acquire, enhance, or refine the knowledge, skills and commitment necessary to create and support high levels of learning for all students. According to TN State Law §49-6-3004, a minimum of 5 days must be devoted to in-service education, or professional learning, each annual calendar year.

How does SCS ensure this lawful 5 days of learning?

Two (2) of the 5 learning days are embedded in the first week of 2009-10 in-service plans, and the remaining three (3) are embedded in flex credits.

How did the 2009-2010 Professional Development /Flex Plan come about?

A SCS Calendar Committee (comprised of local, district, and SCEA stakeholders under the direction of Dr. Judy Ostner, Curriculum & Accountability) crafted calendar options that went before all stakeholders for voting. The majority of voters chose the calendar Option 1, which calls for two (2) less calendar days on campus; and subsequently, two (2) additional “flex” learning days to be upheld.

How many Flex Credits do I need and why?

For the 2009-10 school year, every teacher that signs a contract must complete eighteen (18) flex credits by May 7, 2010 (Interim teachers and/or teachers with a alternative start date are required to obtain flex credits commensurate with their start date). These 18 flex credits represent three (3) contracted days of professional learning in which teachers follow their “Flex Learning Plan” for Core, Custom, and Choice Flex classes offered through the ELN online network, SCS local schools, central office, or pre-approved outside learning sources (This pre-approval must come from your direct supervisor/principal beforehand). Keep in mind that SCS encourages you to increase your professional learning beyond this 18 flex credit minimum.

How many flex credits must I earn each semester?

You must earn 6 flex credits by December 18, 2009, and these credits can come from the Core, Custom and/or Choice flex categories as outlined in your Flex Learning Plan. The remaining 12 flex must be completed by May 7, 2010.

Who do I turn my flex transcripts in to for credit and confirmation of completion?

Print a copy of your professional development transcript off of the My Learning Plan www.mylearningplan.com site prior to each semester due date. Attach this transcript to your Flex Learning Plan, and turn both in to your school’s financial secretary or other designee.

What comprises a “Flex Learning Plan”?

Each teacher is expected to follow his/her “Flex Learning Plan” designed by SCS’s Professional Learning & Development Specialist (with input from all SCS departments). Each Flex Learning Plan is crafted to meet individual and comprehensive learning needs and encompasses the following elements:

I. Core Focus (6 credits)

II. Customized Content (6 credits)

III. Choice (6 credits)
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Totaling 18 flex credits

What comprises “Core” classes?

Core classes are all first Live and interactive webinars that are taped and become OnDemand classes available for viewing at any time. There are three Core flex classes (Supporting the At-Risk Learner, Assessment Literacy, and Reading in the Content Areas), and each Flex Learning Plan outlines which Core class you are to take. Core classes usually comprise 6 flex credits and are divided into 4, 90 minute classes—totaling 6 hours. See our SCS brochure available through our Professional Learning & Development webpage for more details. (see how to access Live Core classes below)

What comprises “Custom” classes?

Custom flex classes are either OnDemand (online 24/7) or traditional face-to-face classes as outlined in your Flex Learning Plan. These Custom classes usually comprise 6 flex credits and range in length. Some activities and conferences are considered Custom flex credit and are pre-approved as such in your Flex Learning Plan. There are 3 universal Custom flex classes that everyone must take: Special Education 101, Mental Health 101, and Coordinated School Health 101. These universal Custom classes are all OnDemand webinars and can be found within your Flex Learning Plan.

What comprises “Choice” classes?

Choice flex classes can be whatever the learner chooses. He/she may choose from either the Core, Custom, or Choice categories of flex classes to uphold this Choice flex learning. And excess Core or Custom flex may “roll” or be used as Choice flex credit. In turn, Choice flex cannot be used for Custom or Choice flex credit. Choice flex classes usually comprise 6 flex credits and classes range in length.

How do I access Live Core classes?

Prior to each each Live Core class, a registration flyer will be sent via email through principals and posted on our morning announcements. Participants enroll as outlined on the flyer and will provided registration confirmation as a result. After you attend the entire Live Core class, communication regarding your attendance is sent to My Learning Plan and credit is posted. Please allow up to two weeks after each Live Core class for MLP flex credit posting. And see our SCS OnDemand Professional Development Brochure for Live Core class dates and details.

How do I access OnDemand Classes?

No one can access OnDemand classes without initial training coming soon through your CTT. Once you gain this training, you will get access to all available OnDemand classes through our My Learning Plan website www.mylearningplan.com.

What are the Flex class launch dates?

We are slowly launching classes to best acclimate end users and offer training through CTTs. The first Live Core webinar class, Supporting the At-Risk Learner, starts August 25, 2009, and the “universal” three Custom classes, Special Education 101, Mental Health 101, and Coordinated School Health 101, will launch next on September 1, 2009. Check the My Learning Plan site as directed by your CTT to find launch dates for all other OnDemand classes.

How do I know which Flex Learning Plan is for me?

Each Flex Learning Plan was designed with district, school, and individual learning needs in mind. Follow the Flex Learning Plan that best matches what you currently teach. If you teach a variety of classes, follow the Flex Plan that represents the majority of your classes. If you teach two subjects for an equal amount of time during the day, defer to your principal for which Flex Plan you should follow. All Flex Learning Plans can be found under the “My Learning Plan” tab on our SCS Professional Learning & Development webpage.

When will my “Flex Learning Plan” be available?

Flex Learning Plans are available now. You can find your individual plan (one that is designed for your grade/subject/level) on SCS’s Professional Learning & Development webpage. Go to “My Learning Plan” and click on the tab entitled “Click here at see Flex Learning Plans.” With each, a lead contact is assigned so please communicate with him/her to learn more or gain clarification.

What is the timeframe for 2009-10 flex learning?

You may begin earning 2009-10 flex credits on June 1st, 2009 through May 7th, 2010.

What is necessary to know about summer courses and flex credits?

Since you will be following a specified “Flex Learning Plan,” keep in mind that six (6) out of the eighteen (18) are your Choice Flex sessions. Therefore, as you enroll in summer flex classes, note that only up to six (6) Choice Flex credits will count toward your 2009-10 “Flex Learning Plan.” Some Custom Choice sessions will be available during the summer, but you must ensure that the offered Custom Choice sessions are within your Flex Learning Plan to count as Custom Flex credits for you. (For example, a math teacher cannot take a Reading course offered for Custom Flex credit since such a course is not within the math teacher’s Flex Learning Plan). Since full Flex Learning Plans won’t be posted until August 1st, please confer with (email) the SCS instructor noted on the MLP summer course prior to enrollment to ensure that said course will count for your applicable Flex Learning Plan. Core Flex offerings will be available online via the ELN Network starting in the fall, 2009.

What if I am taking a class outside of SCS this summer?

For the six (6) Choice Flex credits, teachers may choose a learning resource outside of SCS but must gain pre-approval by direct supervisor/principal beforehand. Supervisors/Principals may award up to 6 flex credits per outside SCS learning experience. To receive flex credit for learning outside of SCS, completion certificates must be signed by the requestor’s supervisor (noting amount of flex credits allowed), and sent to the SCS Teacher Center Administrative Clerk, Shirley Mason at Oak ES, by pony for posting in My Learning Plan.

What outside learning is not Choice Flex-creditable?

Supervisors/Principals awarding flex credits for the Choice sessions are expected to ensure that the learning is substantive and relevant and that the flex credits awarded are commensurate with the time spent attending to learning. No more than one (1) flex credit may be awarded per one (1) hour of learning. Teachers attending or presenting at state or national conferences should be awarded the maximum allowance of 6 flex credits, fulfilling the Choice Flex requirement only. No flex credit will be awarded for courses earning college credits, completion of an advanced degree, completion of teacher certification, or stipend.

Does AP or IB training count for flex credit?

The initial AP or IB training necessary for teachers to teach AP or IB classes cannot count toward flex credits. Refresher classes may count for up to 6 Choice flex credits, with principal approval. The same applies for Gifted certification or any other initial certification necessary to teach a particular course.

How will I know if a Flex class is Core, Custom, or Choice?

You will see the words—either “Core,” “Custom,” or “Choice” located at the start of each course title (prefix) in My Learning Plan. (For example, a class may be entitled—“Choice TOC: Power School 101,” or “Custom Reading: RTI Module 3.”)

What if I am receiving a stipend for a class?

No flex credits will be awarded if stipends are offered for the learning. Such classes will be coded with the prefix “Stipend” in the course title, and Stipend classes will not count toward Flex Learning Plans.

How will I be accountable to adhere to my Flex Learning Plan?

Each teacher is responsible for regularly maintaining and keeping track of his/her flex credits posted in My Learning Plan (MLP) and adherence to his/her specific Flex Learning Plan. Each teacher must provide his/her MLP transcript reflecting applicably earned flex credits and a copy of his/her Flex Learning Plan in a timely manner to his/her school designee to receive pay.

How can I track my Flex Credits?

You can track your flex credits through our online professional development tool, My Learning Plan, at www.mylearningplan.com. After log in (full SCS email address for user name and last four digits of your social security number for password), click on “My Portfolio.” You will see four credit viewing options and the ability to print your learning history transcript. The main page will also show you sessions in which you are currently enrolled. Please keep in mind that SCS encourages you to be enrolled in ongoing learning spread throughout the school year.

What if I do not see my completed flex credits in My Learning Plan?

Please allow for 5-7 school days after the close of your learning session to view flex credits in My Learning Plan. If you still do not see credits posted, please contact your session instructor. He/she must take attendance in My Learning Plan (MLP) and send the completed sign-in sheet to Shirley Mason for online MLP credit posting and viewing. Ms. Mason will post MLP credits within 2 school days of sign-in roster receipt.

Can I use MLP for my professional learning & development that transpires inside the school day?

Yes, for substantive professional learning that takes place inside the school day, My Learning Plan should be used for enrollment and tracking of such classes, which are coded with the title prefix “PD Hours.” Because job-embedded learning is important to student achievement, local school and system-level administration may require school employees to take part in such learning. These PD Hours do not count as flex credits; thus, they are not eligible for “Flex Learning Plans.”

Can my earned flex credit and/or other approved professional development hours count toward my license recertification?

Flex credits and approved professional development hours are eligible for license renewal IF they are not required for your job position. Contracted teachers are required to accomplish eighteen (18) flex credits annually. Flex credits and approved professional development hours above this required eighteen (18) flex credits can be documented and used for license renewal. Very importantly, the renewal requirements must be met during the life of the license. If the license was issued in 2007 and the expiration date is 2017, a workshop that you attended in 2006 would not be eligible for recertification consideration. The website for the TN Department of Education is an excellent source of information regarding your license renewal. The address is: www.tennessee.gov/education/lic/

At the TN DOE site, please find the link entitled, "Renewing a TN Teaching License” in the center options. This link will lead you through the guidelines for renewal, the forms that are needed, and answer many of the questions that commonly arise. If you need additional assistance, please call 615-532-4885.

Can I request a My Learning Plan flex workshop/session?

Yes, with the collaboration and approval of your principal, you can request a Choice Flex session (only) open to your school or district. To accomplish, confer with your assistant/vice principal to gain “instructor rights” in MLP; he/she may write Laura Link requesting to add you to MLP as a temporary instructor. Once you have “instructor rights,” fill out the flex workshop form in My Learning Plan with the assistance of your collaborating assistant/vice principal or your CTT, and refer to the attached “MLP Protocol” that outlines MLP instructor responsibilities.

What are my responsibilities as a My Learning Plan (MLP) instructor?

As a My Learning Plan instructor, you are responsible for ensuring a substantive and engaging learning opportunity for participants. Moreover, you are responsible for entering the learning request in MLP 2-3 weeks prior to your planned session, taking attendance in MLP, and sending the completed sign-in sheet to Shirley Mason at Oak ES within 3 days of your session’s close. Please refer to the attached “MLP Protocol” that outlines instructor responsibilities in greater detail.