WHAT IS A PLU? Content driven, long-term unit of professional study Fully addresses the Alabama Standards for Instructional Leaders Completely aligned to the Alabama Standards for Professional Development Earned upon completion of an ACLD or LEA approved professional study Replaces the continuing education unit (CEU), which is based on seat time at one event rather than the development of knowledge and ability over time WHO MUST EARN A PLU? All educators electing to maintain their instructional leader certification HOW WILL PLUs BE RECORDED? Software Technology Incorporated, Professional Development Software Technology Incorporated, Professional Development (STI PD, Part III Online Training) (STI PD, Part III Online Training)

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EARNING A PLU? Educators electing to maintain instructional leader certification must earn five PLUs over a five-year certification cycle. At least two PLUs must be earned from ACLD approved professional studies. Two PLUs may be earned from an LEA approved professional study. The fifth PLU may be earned from professional studies approved by either the ACLD or the LEA. WHEN WILL EDUCATORS BEGIN EARNING PLUs? 2009 – 2010 A method is in place for transitioning from CEUs to PLUs over a five-year period (PART III Online Training). Complete conversion to PLUs is anticipated in 2014.

Approved Professional Study and Professional Learning Units  ARE directly related to an individual’s instructional leader certification.  ARE NOT related to an individual’s position, role or place of employment. Important

The Term “Instructional Leader” Includes anyone holding a valid Alabama certificate in one or more of the following areas:  Superintendent  Superintendent-Principal  Principal (any grade level)  Educational Administrator  Supervisor (any subject and/or grade level)  Administrator of Career and Technical Education  Instructional Leader  Practicing Instructional Leader

 Adopted in July 2005  Applies to - Superintendents - Central Office Instructional Leaders - Principals - Assistant Principals - Aspiring Principals - Teacher Leaders

1. Planning for Continuous Improvement 2. Teaching and Learning 3. Human Resources Development 4. Diversity 5. Community and Stakeholder Relationships 6. Technology 7. Management of the Learning Organization 8. Ethics

Rationale Key Indicators Key Indicators Knowledge or Ability Statements Preceded by Rationale Has several Key Indicators Key Indicators are written as Knowledge or Ability Statements

 Adopted in September 2006  Twelve Standards  Applies to Superintendents - Central Office Instructional Leaders - Principals - Assistant Principals - Aspiring Principals - Teacher Leaders - Teachers

1. Organize adults into learning communities 2. Require knowledgeable & skillful school and district leaders 3. Provide resources 4. Use disaggregated student data 5. Use multiple sources of information 6. Prepare educators to apply research 7. Use learning strategies 8. Apply knowledge about human learning and change 9. Provide educators with collaborative skills 10. Prepare educators to understand and appreciate all students 11. Deepen educators’ content knowledge 12. Provide educators with knowledge and skills to involve families and stakeholders

Available 2009 Fully addresses Alabama Standards for Instructional Leaders Alabama Standards for Instructional Leaders Completely aligns to Alabama Standards for Professional Development Alabama Standards for Professional Development Approved two ways ACLD ACLD Local Education Agency (LEA) superintendent Local Education Agency (LEA) superintendent Applies to All educators maintaining instructional leader certification All educators maintaining instructional leader certification Only method to earn Professional Learning Units

Page 3 Professional Development Professional Development Professional Study Professional Study Alabama Council for Leadership Development Alabama Council for Leadership Development Alabama Standards for Instructional Leaders (Abridged) Alabama Standards for Instructional Leaders (Abridged) Page 4 Alabama Standards for Professional Development (Abridged) Alabama Standards for Professional Development (Abridged) Instructional Leaders Instructional Leaders Instructional Leader Certification as related to instructional leaders Instructional Leader Certification as related to instructional leaders How to obtain a copy of an instructional leader certificate How to obtain a copy of an instructional leader certificate Page 5 Professional Learning Unit (PLU) Professional Learning Unit (PLU) Approved Professional Study Approved Professional Study Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Commonly used acronyms Commonly used acronyms

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Page 10 How does an individual know if he/she must earn PLUs? How does an individual know if he/she must earn PLUs? How many PLUs does an individual holding instructional leader certification need to earn? How many PLUs does an individual holding instructional leader certification need to earn? Over what time period must PLUs be earned? Over what time period must PLUs be earned? What is the timeframe for phasing in PLUs? What is the timeframe for phasing in PLUs? If an individual holds multiple certificates, will meeting the renewal requirements for instruction leader certification rewew the other certificates? If an individual holds multiple certificates, will meeting the renewal requirements for instruction leader certification rewew the other certificates?

Page 11 If a teacher holds both instructional leader and teacher certification, may he/she elect not to renew the instructional leader certificate and renew the teaching certificate? If a teacher holds both instructional leader and teacher certification, may he/she elect not to renew the instructional leader certificate and renew the teaching certificate? When an individual renews an existing instructional leader certificate, will he/she receive a certificate that states “instructional leader”? When an individual renews an existing instructional leader certificate, will he/she receive a certificate that states “instructional leader”? Must an individual earn PLUs if he/she is an administrator, but does not serve as an instructional leader in various roles, positions, and/or places of employment ? Must an individual earn PLUs if he/she is an administrator, but does not serve as an instructional leader in various roles, positions, and/or places of employment ? Will reading coaches follow the Alabama Standards for Instructional Leaders or the Alabama Quality Teaching Standards? Will reading coaches follow the Alabama Standards for Instructional Leaders or the Alabama Quality Teaching Standards?

Elluminate Playback Everyone on the sign-in sheet will receive an with a link that will allow you to view the PLU training session on Elluminate presented on Please be sure you have signed in!

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