Beginning July 1, 2008, in order to renew their certificates, school service personnel in Illinois are required to continue their education with professional development activities. For each 5-year renewal period, SSP's may choose one of the following methods of filling this requirement. You will be required to maintain evidence of completion for each activity and be able to produce this documentation if selected for an audit.
The law does not require anyone in a nonpublic school to participate in professional development activities to renew certificates. Those who are employed in a public school on a substitute or day-to-day basis are also not required to fill the professional development requirement.
Option 1: Required Unique Professional Development Activity - You may meet your professional
development obligation by meeting any one of the following criteria:
Option 2: Required CPDU Professional Development Activities - Use this option to use a variety of activities (including workshops and college courses) to acquire the professional development hours. The standard requirement for CPDU’s is 80 for a 5-year period. Your amount may be less if you have exemptions or if you have a master certificate (from N.B.P.T.S.). See a full list of qualifying CPDU activities below.
For each CPDU-crediting activity in which you participate, you must specify one or more PURPOSES for your participation. An activity can only be used if you can state that you attended it for one of the purposes below. When it is time to renew your certificate, you must have activities that cover at least 3 of the 4 purposes.
Purpose 1 - I participated in this activity to advance both my knowledge and skills consistent with the Illinois Standards for the service area in which my certificate is endorsed in order to keep me current in this area. (In other words, it provided me with information and skills that will enable me to be a better ______ [counselor, social worker, etc.])
Purpose 2 - I participated in this activity to develop my knowledge and skills in areas determined by the Illinois State Board of Education to be critical for all school service personnel. (Unofficial note - Because the board has not yet determined a list of critical skill areas for SSP's, you may label an activity as meeting this purpose if you believe that it meets a critical need based on your judgement.)
Purpose 3 - I participated in this activity because it addressed knowledge, skills, and goals that are prescribed in my school's School Improvement Plan. (Note - This option can only be used if, at the time of the activity, you are employed by an Illinois public or state-operated elementary school, middle school, secondary school, or a cooperative with a governing body or board of control. In other words, there must be a school whose S.I.P. you can claim to be participating in.)
Purpose 4 - I participated in this activity because it addressed the needs of serving students with disabilities, including adapting and modifying clinical or professional practices to meet the needs of students with disabilities and serving such students in the least restrictive environment. (Note - this may include activities focused on differentiating classroom instruction, if your role may include discussion of instruction with teachers.)
No CPDU credit may be earned for activities that are designed for entertainment purposes, that are promotional or commercial in nature, or that are solely inspirational or motivational. Your ROE, STCB, or ISBE may disapprove any activity they deem inappropriate for CPDU purposes.
The ECS database system is the system in which the Illinois State Board of Education maintains records of all of its certified education professionals. One of the benefits of this system, which was implemented in 2006, is the access that it gives educators to maintaining the accuracy of their own records. In ECS, you can:
Click the button below for step-by-step instructions on using the ECS system.
To view this document, you will need a program that can read PDF files, such as Acrobat Reader (free download) or Preview.
If you choose Option 2 above (to use CPDU's as your means of completing your professional development requirement), you may accumulate those CPDU's through a variety of activities. These activities are listed below.
Activity 01 - Collaborative planning and professional improvement teams
Description
Attendance at and participation in no fewer than two-thirds of the meetings of a group whose function is planning for professional development activities that will benefit groups of teachers and/or the school.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 02 - Collaborative planning and professional improvement teams
Description
Peer Review: A process of one-on-one assistance between pairs of School Service Personnel certificate holders that is formally established by agreement between a school district and its certificate holders or their exclusive representative, in which the participants establish specific goals for the individual being reviewed and conduct a program of intervention to assist that individual with particular aspects of his or her performance of services that includes observation and assessment of the individual's performance in sessions lasting at least 20 minutes each, discussion of the observations made by the reviewing individual, and preparation of a written summary by the reviewing School Service Personnel certificate holder.
Peer Coaching: A process of one-on-one assistance between pairs of certificate holders, whether by formal arrangement under the auspices of the employing district or by mutual agreement, in which the participants observe each other's performance of services and discuss the observations made.
Required Documentation
For Peer Review:
For Peer Coaching:
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 03 - Mentor, Recipient of Mentoring, Consulting SSP, or Remediating SSP
Description
Participation in a formal mentoring program or remediation process formulated under Section 24A-5 of the School Code.
Mentor: A formally established sequence of sessions lasting no less than one quarter of a school year and involving preparation with the recipient prior to observing that individual in the setting where services are provided; observations; and provision of feedback, suggestions, and techniques to the recipient in response to each period of observation.
Recipient of Mentoring: A formally established sequence of sessions lasting no less than one quarter of the school year and involving consultation with the mentor in preparation for the performance of services to be observed; performance of services under observation of the mentor; and interaction with the mentor after each such session to reflect upon the performance of services, receive feedback, discuss alternatives and suggestions, and determine how this information will be integrated into the individual's future work.
Consulting SSP: Participation in the remediation process, involving assistance in the development of a remediation plan and provision of advice to the individual under remediation; and meetings lasting at least 20 minutes each with the remediating individual to discuss how to improve skills and successfully complete the remediation plan, to conduct demonstrations, or to provide feedback on observations conducted by an administrator; or meetings of the same length with administrator or other personnel to discuss the remediating individual's progress or observation in the setting where services are provided; or observation of the remediating individual in the setting where services are provided, including preparation with the remediating individual prior to the observation, and provision of feedback, suggestions, and techniques to the remediating individual in response to each period of observation.
Remediating SSP: A formally established sequence of sessions lasting no less than one quarter of the school year and involving consultation with the Consulting SSP in preparation for the performance of services to be observed; performance of services under observation of the Consulting SSP; and interaction with the Consulting SSP after each such session to reflect upon the performance of services, receive feedback, discuss alternatives and suggestions, and determine how this information will be integrated into the individual's future work.
Required Documentation
For a Mentor, Recipient of Mentoring, or Remediating SSP:
For a Consulting SSP:
Notes
CPDU's Awarded
For the Mentor, Recipient of Mentoring, or Remediating SSP
For Consulting Teacher in remediation process
Activity 04 - Participation in site-based management or decision-making teams, relevant committees, boards, or task forces related to school improvement plans
Description
Attendance at and participation in no fewer than two-thirds of the meetings of a group whose function is formulating recommendations or plans related to budgeting or resource allocation, textbook choice, curriculum modifications, scheduling, or other aspects of school operations related to issues noted in the school improvement plan.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 05 - Coordinating Community Resources in Schools (where the project is a specific goal of the school improvement plan)
Description
Working with representatives of community agencies to structure or facilitate their interaction with the school's or district's staff or students for the purpose of meeting one or more needs identified in the school improvement plan; must include more than the students directly served by the certificate-holder.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 06 - Facilitating parent education programs for a school, school district, or regional office of education directly related to student achievement or the school improvement plan
Description
Arranging for or Coordinating Presentations: in the context of a formally established program consisting of two or more sessions designed to serve parents of the students in a particular school or district by informing or training them in one or more areas related either to their children's achievement or to another need identified in a school improvement plan.
Delivering Presentations: in the context of a formally established program, consisting of two or more sessions, designed to serve parents of the students in a particular school or district by informing or training them in one or more areas related either to their children's achievement or to another need identified in a school improvement plan (to the extent that such presentations are not part of the instruction routinely delivered as a function of the certificate-holder's assignment.)
Required Documentation
For Coordinating
For Making Presentations
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 07 - Participating in Business, School, or Community Partnerships directly related to student achievement or school improvement plans
Description
Formal or informal exchange of information and resources between a School Service Personnel certificate holder and a business, educational institution, or other entity for the purpose of improving student achievement or responding to a need identified in the school improvement plan.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 08 - Supervision or Preparation of Candidates for the School Service Personnel Certificate
Description
Candidate for the School Service Personnel Certificate in Clinical Supervision: Service (as determined by the institute preparing School Service Personnel) as a supervisor for a student or candidate in internship or field experience who is enrolled in an approved preparation program for School Service Personnel.
Candidate for the School Service Personnel Certificate in a Pre-Internship Field Experience: Provision of at least 40 hours of supervisory service connected with the pre-internship field experience to one or more candidates enrolled in an approved School Service Personnel preparation program.
Limitation: Each may be counted only once in any five-year renewal cycle, with one exception. In the case of a student whose receipt of supervision is split between two supervising SSP's, each such teacher may count one-half a period of service and may count service to two such candidates.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 09 - College Coursework
Description
Successful completion of college or university coursework (undergraduate or graduate) that is related to the individual's certificate(s) and addresses the professional standards set forth in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 23 (Standards for the School Service Personnel Certificate) relative to the certificate-holder's field(s) of certification or assignment.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 10 - Teaching College Courses
Description
Teaching a college-level course in a field related to an individual's certificate(s) and results in the granting of college credit to those enrolled.
Limitation: The same course may be counted only once in a five-year renewal cycle. A course shall be considered "the same" if its description is the same in different course catalogues issued by the same institution or, for a course offered at more than one institution, if the syllabus for the course is substantially the same. A course shall not be considered the same as another course if a student may receive credit for successfully completing both. In cases where two courses appear similar, the certificate-holder wishing to claim CPDU's for both shall be required to demonstrate how the two differ.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 11 - N/A
Activity 11 is no longer in use.
Activity 12 - Workshops, Seminars, Conferences, Institutes, Symposia
Description
Attending and participating in a conference, workshop, institute, seminar, symposium, or other similar training event that addresses educational concerns and is organized by an approved provider. Such a training must be related to improving the SSP's knowledge and skills as a professional and be directly related to student achievement, school improvement plans, or State priorities.
Required Documentation
If held in Illinois
If held outside of Illinois or a national-level conference held in Illinois:
For online activities:
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 13 - Presenting at Workshops, Seminars, Conferences, Institutes, Symposia
Description
Making a presentation at a conference, workshop, institute, seminar, symposium, or other similar event whose goal is the improvement of skills and knowledge relevant to the SSP certificate holder's knowledge and skills.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 14 - [Training as] External Reviewers of Quality Assurance
Description
Participation in a complete training sequence regarding the quality assurance process used by ISBE pursuant to the rules for Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition, and Supervision (23 Ill. Adm. Code 1).
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 15 - [Training for] Review Team for Accreditation of Institution of Higher Education
Description
Participation in a complete training sequence regarding the process used by the State Board in approving preparation programs for School Service Personnel or accrediting preparation institutions.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 16 - Action Research and Inquiry Projects
Description
Conducting a study at least one quarter of the school year in length that is based upon a written protocol identifying the aspect of education that will be investigated, the approach to be used, and the desired or expected outcome of the project.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 17 - Observing Programs or Performance of Services in Schools, Related Business, or Industry (that is systematic, purposeful, and relevant to certificate renewal)
Description
Engaging in a series of observations, either of services performed by others or of work activity directly related to the certificate-holder's area(s) of certification.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 18 - Travel
Description
Traveling related to one's certification or assignment, directly related to student achievement or school improvement plans. Travel lasting no less than three consecutive, full days (not including travel to and from the destination) that the LPDC, if applicable, or regional superintendent has [pre-]approved at least 30 days prior to the travel experience. The written requests for approval must demonstrate that the travel relates to one or more of the individual's improvement goals, identify the activities or aspects of the travel that will contribute to the SSP's professional development, and describe what is to be accomplished through the travel experience.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 19 - Study Groups
Description
Attendance at and participation in no fewer than two-thirds of the meetings of a group that investigates one or more aspects of education in a series of regular, structured, collaborative interactions with a view to improve the members' practice or related outcomes among their students.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 20 - Statewide Education-Related Committee
Description
Serving on a statewide education-related committee, including but not limited to the State Teacher Certification Board, State Board of Education strategic agenda teams, or the State Advisory Council on Education of Children with Disabilities. Attendance at and participation in no fewer than two-thirds of the meetings.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 21 - Work/Learn Programs or Internships
Description
Participation in a structured program that pairs the certificate-holder with an employer or other entity under whose auspices the certificate-holder can acquire knowledge or skills for use in his or her future performance of services or position.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 22 - Curriculum Development or Assessment Activities
Description
Participating in curriculum development or assessment activities at the school, school district, regional office of education, state, or national level. Assisting in the planning, development, or refinement of curriculum or assessments, or in their alignment with applicable standards; the activity must be one sanctioned or structured either by the employing school or district or by a statewide, national, or international educational agency or organization. Requires participation in no fewer than two-thirds of the working sessions of any group for which CPDU's are claimed.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 23 - Team or Department Leadership
Description
Service in a position of leadership established by a school or district as part of its formal structure and lasting no less than one semester; limited to those activities that relate to instruction in the area of assignment; shall not include tasks unrelated to knowledge, skills, performance, or competence relevant to the SSP's certification or assignment.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 24 - External or Internal School or District Review Team
Description
Participating on external or internal school or school district review teams. Participating as an external or internal reviewer in a complete cycle of the quality assurance process used by the State Board pursuant to the Board's rules for Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision (23 Ill. Adm. Code 1). Participating on a curriculum review panel convened pursuant to Section 25.125 (c) with respect to approval of a School Service Personnel preparation program. Participating on a review team convened pursuant to Section 25.125(e) with respect to the accreditation of an institution of higher education and its approval to provide School Service Personnel preparation programs.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 25 - Publishing Education Articles, Columns, or Books
Description
Publishing educational articles, columns, or books relevant to the certificate area being renewed. Writing about educational research, experiences, issues, approaches, systems, or another topic that is related to the effective practice of services performed by the holder of a School Service Personnel Certificate. In cases of multiple authorship, the CPDU's earned will be divided among the authors as they agree, provided that no more than 100% of the available CPDU's will be awarded for any publication.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 26 - Non-Strike-Related Professional Association or Labor Organization Service
Description
Participating in non-strike-related professional association or labor organization service or activities related to professional development. Service on local professional development committees, regional professional development review committees (including service by certificate-holders in districts without exclusive representatives) or other bodies constituted by professional associations or labor organizations for specific purposes related to the profession. Requires formal selection by the organization. Examples include positions on committees planning for or formulating educational or professional policies, standards, and structures. Activities related to the operations or functioning of the professional association or labor organization shall not be eligible.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded
Activity 27 - Portfolio of Student and School Service Personnel Certificate-Holder's Work
Description
Portfolio of student and SSP's work. Preparation of at least five portfolio "artifacts" or "entries", each of which relates to a different assignment.
Required Documentation
CPDU's Awarded