Q- I don't know my new certificate number. What should I do?

A- Use your old certificate number (this at least gives us something to track).  When you find out your new number, please send a note to the LPDC informing us of the change.   Even if you don't have your new certificate yet, you can find out your new number by using the Teacher Certification Inquiry System (see the Links page on this website).

Q- When filling out my plan, how can I know exactly how many CPDUs a workshop will be worth?

A- The number of CPDUs you list for each activity is treated as an estimate.  You may earn more or less than stated in your plan, as long as you reach the total 120, and have at least 50% in purposes A and B.

Q- CPDUs....CEUs....What's the difference?

A- CEUs are simply 5 CPDUs.  When claiming credit, please convert everything to CPDUs.

Claim for Credit

Q- Can I list more than one activity on a 77-04 Claim for Credit form?

A- We prefer that you only list one activity per form since there is only room on the back of the form for us to approve or deny one activity.

Q- When should I send in my claims?

A- It is best to submit your claim for credit as soon as you have completed evidence (check Appendix D for requirements).  Waiting to submit makes it harder to go back and collect pieces of evidence that you may be missing.  Claims must be received by the LPDC on the Thursday before a meeting in order to be discussed at that meeting.
 
 

Special Education Requirements

Q-How many of my CPDUs must apply to special education?

A- If you are a special education teacher whose renewal cycle ends in 2004 or 2005, then 25% of your credits must address special ed. If you are a special education teacher whose cycle ends after 2005, then 50% of your plan must be devoted to special education.  If you are a general education teacher, 20% of your plan must be devoted towards special education.  If your plan was approved prior to January 1, 2002, then 20% of the credit for each semester after January 1, 2002  must apply to special education. The state has developed a calculator you can use to determine how many CPDUs you need in the area of special ed.  You will find a link to it on our Links page.
 

Q- Do I need to revise my plan to accommodate the new special education legislation?

A- If your plan was approved by the LPDC prior to January 1, 2002, no, you do not need to rewrite your plan.  If your plan was approved after this date, then it will be necessary to revise your plan to include activities that address special education (if you did not include them when you first wrote it).
 
 

Initial Certificates

Q- I am currently teaching on an initial certificate.  What should I be doing to move to a standard certificate?

A- You will have six options for moving from an initial to a standard certificate. Click here to see information regarding these options.

Retired Teachers

Q- I am a retired teacher who currently is subbing.  Do I need to submit a plan?

A- Here is what our representative from the state has said:

     " The number of days a teacher is employed on the certificate is the determining factor. The law reads "Teachers who are employed on either a part-time or day-to-day basis as a substitute basis shall pay only the required registration fee to renew his or her certificate and maintain it as valid and active." The issue here is what is meant by employment on either "a part-time or day-to-day basis." In the law, the definition is "Part-time shall be defined as less than 50% of the school day or school term." Additionally, it is stated in the rules that the number of days that a person can teach and be considered exempt is 45 days per semester. Therefore, our legal staff determined that anyone who teaches for more than 90 days in a school term (year) is no longer employed on a part-time basis. Under the statute, our legal staff determined that individuals who hold valid and active certificates and are not teaching on a part-time or day-to-day basis as a substitute teacher have to participate in the certificate renewal process. Working more than 90 days in a school district is more than "part-time" employment under the statute. This would not apply to a teacher who works for 85 days in one district and 30 in another. The 90+ days would have to be in one district."

Miscellaneous

Q- What is the best way to contact an LPDC team member?

A- E-mail is the quickest, most reliable way to contact a team member.  See the members page on this website for e-mail addresses.

Q- Where do I send my completed plan and/or claims?

A- Send your items (via courier if possible) to the LPDC at Taft.