Montgomery. Ala. - Individuals who hold certificates in areas of administration and/or supervision will now have to earn five Professional Learning Units (PLU)* as a requirement to continue their certificate(s).
As a result of The Governor’s Congress on School Leadership (GCSL), which convened in the fall of 2004, the requirements for the renewal of Alabama Professional Educator Certificates in Areas of Administration and/or Supervision have changed. Certificates in areas of administration and/or supervision include: Educational Administrator, Superintendent, Principal (any grade level), Supervisor (any subject and/or grade level), Superintendent-Principal, Career and Technical Administrator, and the newly added Instructional Leader.
Approximately 200 educators and business leaders examined school leadership issues, resulting in the following recommendations to the Governor and the Alabama State Board of Education:
- Standards and Code of Ethics,
- University preparation program redesign
- Certification of instructional leaders
- Professional development to support instructional leaders
- Incentives to attract and retain quality principals in every school.
“The new PLU requirement raises the standards set for professionals who help to lead schools in Alabama. The number of PLUs will slowly rise over the next five years so individuals who hold certificates in areas of administration and/or supervision can have enough time to complete professional development that requires multiple experiences and takes place over time,” says Sarah Justiss, State Certification Officer with the Teacher Education and Certification section, Alabama Department of Education.
The PLU requirement for holders of certificates in an area of administration and/or supervision which expire June 30, 2010, will only be applicable for individuals who were employed by an Alabama public school system or the Alabama State Department of Education during the 2009-2010 scholastic year regardless of position or title.
However, beginning with certificates which expire June 30, 2011, and thereafter, the requirement of earning PLUs will be applicable regardless of position, title, or place of employment.
To continue a certificate you must update it without allowing it to lapse by meeting requirements prior to September 1, 2010. The application to continue a certificate must be received in the Teacher Education and Certification Office between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010; otherwise, the certificate(s) must be reinstated.
Continuation options for certificates in areas of administration and/or supervision which expire June 30, 2010, may be found at www.tcert.alsde.edu.
Reinstatement options for certificates in areas of administration and/or supervision to begin validity on July 1, 2010, may be found at www.tcert.alsde.edu.
Renewal (continuation and reinstatement) requirements for certificates expiring June 30, 2011, and thereafter, or those reinstating with a valid period beginning July 1, 2011, and thereafter, will be available June 2010.
Individuals employed with an Alabama public school system or with an Alabama state-registered non-public school which reports to this Department through the Private School Annual Registration Report should contact the Human Resource Department of the public school system or non-public school for information about the Department’s Online Renewal process.
If you are an instructional leader at a private school, are retired, work out of state, or are currently not employed in an Alabama public school system, you may contact Ms. Lori Newton, STI PD Specialist in the Technology Initiatives Section of this Department at 334-353-1112 or lnewton@alsde.edu for assistance in establishing an STI PD account.
For more information regarding renewal requirements, you may contact the Teacher Certification Office at (334) 353-8567 or visit www.alsde.edu.
For more information on available Professional Learning Units, you may contact the Leadership and Evaluation Office at (334) 242-9962 or visit www.alex.state.al.us/leadership
*A Professional Learning Unit (PLU) is a content driven, long-term unit of professional study for instructional leaders that fully addresses all knowledge and ability indicators under an Alabama Standard for Instructional Leaders. Professional study that constitutes a PLU requires multiple professional development experiences over time and will always be aligned with the Alabama Standards for Professional Development in Rule 290-4-3-.01(3).
A PLU is earned at the completion of professional study which fully addresses the knowledge and ability indicators under an Alabama Standard for Instructional Leaders. The professional study must include comprehensive coverage and evaluation of effectiveness in the school setting. Professional study that earns a PLU must be approved either by the Alabama Council for Leadership Development (ACLD) or approved by the local superintendent. The PLU will take the place of the continuing education unit (CEU) which is based on seat time at one event rather than the development of knowledge and ability over time.
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