The new administration views coherent, high quality professional development (PD) as key to improving teaching and learning throughout MPS.

Superintendent Gregory Thornton wants to engage educators at every grade level and content area in developing a common understanding of districtwide reforms, such as the Comprehensive Literacy Plan.
 

Using banking days for districtwide PD is an essential step toward helping all schools be "on the same page.” All teachers and administrators will be involved in an ongoing process which consistently supports our district’s goals and direction - and our shared commitment to teaching all children.

Yes. Schools will not have time on banking days for the school-based activities.

Yes. However, instead of half days, teachers will have full days for individual preparation/planning.

The entire day is strictly for educators to individually plan and prepare. No inservices. No meetings - grade level, departmental, faculty, school committees, or parent/community.

Equal time will be attained by alternating the number of days used for each purpose, in 2-year cycles.

In each 2-year cycle, there will be 5 full days for individual teacher preparation/planning, and 5 full days for districtwide professional development.

Yes. To start the alternating cycle, two of the remaining 2010-11 banking days will be for centrally developed professional development, and one day will be for individual preparation/planning.

January 24, 2011

• K-8 grades: full day for individual preparation and planning.
• 9-12 grades: full day for districtwide professional development.

March 14, 2011

• 9-12 grades: full day for individual preparation and planning.
• K-8 grades: full day for districtwide professional development.

May 20, 2011 (April 11 in IB Schools)

All teachers K-12 will have a full day for districtwide professional development.

Yes. The provision for the remaining banking days this school year states: "Teachers are guaranteed at least 1 full day for individual preparation/planning from the date of ratification through the end of their 2010-2011 school year."

This was bargained because of the possibility that making up a day of instruction due to an inclement weather closing, may alter the banking day schedule.

2011-12

• 3 days for individual preparation/planning.
• 2 days for districtwide professional development.

2012-13

• 2 days for individual preparation/planning.
• 3 days for districtwide professional development.

Setting the banking day dates will remain part of the annual process of calendar bargaining.

No. All schools will continue to bank time for the next 2 school years without a faculty vote.

DPI requires MPS to conduct mandatory inservice for all educators on reforms such as the Comprehensive Literacy Plan. Using banking days is the best way to ensure that all schools and teachers participate in districtwide professional development.

No. The catalog courses will be responsive to the specific needs of teachers - geared to grade levels,
subject areas, and varied professional responsibilities.

Banking day professional development will engage all schools in districtwide measures to provide a coherent direction and clear goals to improve teaching and learning.