Guidelines for Professional Development
Ozark R-6 School District
2022-2023
Introduction
Supporting teachers in their continual efforts to improve instruction so that each student may achieve at higher levels in the public schools is the mission of professional development in the Ozark School District. Final decisions regarding professional development will support the primary goal of improving instruction by cultivating a shared focus on the school improvement initiatives of the district:
1. Professional Learning Communities
2. Comprehensive Literacy
3. Response to Intervention
4. School-wide Positive Behavior Supports
5. Balanced Mathematics
6. 21st Century Learning Skills
7. Data Analysis
Overview
The 2022-2023 contract requires each teacher to complete fourteen (14) hours of district-provided professional development. These activities will be provided through avenues such as:
1. PLC Academy
2. District developed (or directed) graduate –level courses
3. Both morning and afternoon district-level offerings during the school year
4. Summer district level offerings (July offerings)
5. Approved building-level professional development activities during the school year
Accrual of professional development hours will begin with activities occurring on or after July 1, 2022. When the 14 contractual hours have been satisfied and documented through the Office of Teaching and Learning, teachers may continue to participate in the type of activities listed above at a remuneration rate of twenty dollars per hour. The required professional development hours should be completed by May 1, 2023.
Exceptions
The district recognizes that some staff members are required to attend specific out-of-district activities for the purposes of licensure and /or specialized certification. These individuals will be required to complete and submit a “Request of Out-Of-District Professional Development” form prior to the event. (This form is accessible on Frontline Professional Development – My Learning Plan.) Professional development hours may be approved as in-district for specific trainings if the hours are necessary for licensure and/or specialized certification necessary for ones’ Ozark Schools’ position. All hours with exceptions must be approved prior to attendance by the Office of Teaching and Learning.