ProComp Frequently Asked Questions
Knowledge and Skills
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions related to Knowledge and Skills. Please return to FAQs to review another topic.
Q. Who will determine which professional development courses teachers get credit for?
A. ProComp created a WorkGroup that, in conjunction with the Leadership Development Department and Teaching and Learning Department, has created a catalogue of courses teachers can take for PDU credit. Teachers may also propose independent or group study for credit. If approved, teachers will be granted credit if they complete the couse of study, reflect on what they have learned and demonstrate with artifacts what they’ve learned.
Q: What is the principal’s role in implementing Professional Development Units (PDUs)?
A: Educators may earn Professional Development Units in the manner that best suits their needs. For example, they may enroll in a university class; they may collaborate with colleagues in a focused study; or they may choose to join in a unified program for their school to address a specific need.
Principals and managers become more involved, however, when an educator has an unsatisfactory comprehensive professional evaluation. In this instance, the supervisor works with the educator to identify areas that need improvement and they work collaboratively to develop a Professional Development Unit.
Q. ProComp provides for tuition reimbursement. How will this element work?
A. Teachers and Student Services Providers (SSPs) who opt into ProComp can receive up to $1,000 reimbursement for tuition paid for one or more courses during the time they are employed by the district. Forms and procedures have been developed so the employee will know in advance whether a course qualifies. The benefit is designed to be used for higher education courses, professional conferences or other professional development opportunities and books associated with those courses. Tuition reimbursement payments are available for courses taken after an employee becomes active in ProComp. Click here for Tuition Reimbursement Form
Q: What is the supervisor’s role in approving tuition reimbursement?
A: The educator actually initiates the paperwork to receive tuition reimbursement for courses, conferences or workshops before actually pursuing the work.
· The key is for the proposed study to apply to the educator’s current or proposed assignment that is covered by the DCTA-DPS labor contract.
· Once the educator has completed the study satisfactorily, he or she submits documentation to the supervisor that indicates successful completion of the professional development activity, such as an official university or college transcript. The educator must also submit receipts for tuition, registration fees for seminars, conferences and workshops and for books required for these activities.
· The supervisor signs the form and the educator sends a copy to Human Resources to keep in the employee’s personnel records. The educator keeps a copy and should also give one to the supervisor.
· Tuition Reimbursement expenses have no impact on a school or facility budget. They come from the funds generated by the ProComp mill levy increase.