All teachers will have a meaningful voice in shaping the professional development courses they need, through an annual survey. The survey will be developed and analyzed jointly by representatives of our union and the new administration. Teachers will be able to evaluate the courses they take, on a jointly developed online form.

Yes. The new administration will offer a variety of inservice courses based on the needs of educators. For example, there will be offerings for different grade level subjects.

Through an online catalog.

Yes. After school and Saturday catalog courses will be voluntary.

Yes. The contractual pay provisions will apply.

• After-school inservices will be paid at the part-time certificated hourly rate - $25.56/hour in 2011-12.
• Classes on Saturday or during the summer will be paid at each teacher's individual hourly rate.
• If Saturday or summer classes are the same length as a regular school day, you will be paid at your individual daily rate.

Teachers recruited by MPS to teach inservice courses will be released for preparation time equal to their instructional time, or will be paid at their individual hourly rate.

Yes. Teachers who need credits to move to a higher salary division will have that option.

Teachers will be able to apply up to 7 MPS inservice credits toward the 16 college credits needed to move to the BA+16, MA+16, and MA+32 lanes.

• A minimum of 9 college credits.
• A maximum of 7 MPS inservice credits.

No. Moving to the MA lane will continue to require an earned masters degree. However, you'll be able to accumulate MPS inservice credits and apply them for moving to the MA+16 and MA+32 lanes.

At least 12 hours of in-class instruction are required.

Up to 12 additional hours of study outside of class may be assigned. The maximum for combined in-class and out-of-class hours is 24 hours.

Yes. MPS courses may be a component of your Professional Development Plan. District classes can be more targeted to your specific needs than college courses.

The financial benefit will depend on your situation. If you need credits to move to the BA+ 16 lane, MPS inservice credits save you college tuition costs.

If you are already in the BA+ 16 lane, you need an earned masters to move to the MA lane. You won't be able to use MPS inservice credits until you move to the MA+ 16 and MA+ 32 lanes.

Initial educators should examine their specific needs and plans to determine if there's a fiscal benefit of inservice credits.

No.