Laurel
STAFF DEVELOPMENT;
INSERVICE EDUCATION/VISITATIONS/CONFERENCES Policy #4131/ 4131.1
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The board of education recognizes its legal obligation to provide inservice activities to further the ability of the teaching staff to progress toward achievement of district goals and objectives. It is of particular concern to the board that continuing education for teaching staff provide demonstrable contributions toward student achievement of the Core Curriculum Content Standards.
The chief school administrator shall develop a comprehensive management system for staff professional improvement and shall assist staff members in the area of professional improvement by providing relevant information regarding workshops, professional meetings and course offerings.
To be in compliance with state requirements, each teacher employed in this district as of the effective date specified in code shall complete 100 clock hours of state-approved continuing professional development and/or inservice every five years. Appropriate steps toward achieving this goal shall
be included in the content of each teaching staff member's annual professional improvement plan.
The 100-hour requirement may be satisfied through a combination of state-approved experiences including: formal courses and conferences sponsored by colleges, district boards of education, professional associations, training organizations or other entities recommended by the Professional
Teaching Standards Board and approved by the Commissioner of Education. Part or all of the 100-hour requirement may be satisfied through an inservice program that has been approved by the County Professional Development Board under standards established by the Commissioner based on
the recommendation of the Professional Teaching Standards Board. Completion of each actual hour of approved training shall satisfy the requirement for one hour of continuing education.
In accordance with administrative code, the board shall establish a Professional Development Committee in order to assess inservice needs and professional development opportunities and to plan and implement professional development programs to assure that the students of this district achieve the Core Curriculum Content Standards. This committee shall be comprised of four teachers, elected by the instructional staff through its majority representative and two administrative staff appointed by the chief school administrator. The committee shall include the chief school administrator as an ex officio member and shall solicit input from parents, community members and local business leaders. Plans developed by the committee shall
be submitted for approval to the County Professional Development Board and then to the board of education. The board of education reserves the right to
deny any plan that fails to advance district goals and objectives; is not conducive to student achievement of the Core Curriculum Content Standards; or
contravenes current negotiated agreements, other board policies, student safety and well-being, continuity of the instructional program, or budgetary
constraints.
Staff participation that may require released time and/or financial reimbursement from the board will be determined by the board of education after recommendation by the chief school administrator.
Staff members who participate in out‑of‑district programs at board expense shall submit a written report highlighting the main thrust and ideas observed by the participant.
Mandated Inservice Programs
The chief school administrator shall arrange development of appropriate inservice presentations, seminars
and/or workshops on equity issues, special education, child abuse and neglect, drug/alcohol abuse awareness, handling blood and body fluids, possible hazardous substances in the workplace, crises response, school violence and other topics specifically required by federal or New Jersey law. These required presentations, seminars and/or workshops shall not count automatically toward the required 100 clock hours of continuing education every
five years.
Adopted: 03/06