Professional development (PD) is defined in 704 KAR 3:035 Section (2) as "those experiences which systematically over a sustained period of time, enable educators to acquire and apply knowledge, understanding, skills, and abilities to achieve personal, professional, and organizational goals and to facilitate the learning of students."
KRS 158.070 requires four (4) days of the minimum school term to be used for PD activities for the building level professional staff. Programs should engage educators in effective learning processes and foster collegiality and collaboration. They should provide support for staff to incorporate newly acquired skills into their work through practicing the skills, gathering information about the results, and reflecting on their efforts.
While the district superintendent has the discretion to use one of the four days for district-wide activities, the content to be delivered on the remaining three days is at the discretion of the local school based decision-making council. Priority must be given to programs that increase teachers' understanding of curriculum content and methods of instruction appropriate for each content area based on individual school plans or staff members' individual professional growth plans.
KDE PD Training Opportunities Bulletin Board
As of July 1, 2007, all postings submitted before June 1, 2007, will be removed from the Professional Development Bulletin Board. This step is necessary in order to have only the most current programs available.
PROVIDERS PLEASE NOTE: Please do not contact the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) to obtain "approval" to provide teachers with professional development. The KDE does not approve professional development opportunities or providers for teachers to receive credit for professional development (the KDE does approve PD for administrators through the EILA system). Individual districts are responsible for determining if a professional development opportunity is acceptable for credit. Providers may not advertise their professional development as being approved for PD credit by the Kentucky Department of Education.
The KDE Professional Development Training Opportunities Bulletin Board has now been launched to provide information regarding professional development providers and programs as a service to school district central office personnel, school councils, teachers, and administrators.