Policies, Procedures and Processes
For any questions regarding the CPD portion of the Professional Learning Catalog and program please reach out directly to the Office of Organizational Development at ood@pgcps.org.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) experiences provide opportunities for Maryland educators to earn credits necessary for obtaining and/or renewal of Maryland State Department of Education certification. In PGCPS, credits may also count towards salary advancements. Please contact the Office of Certification and Licensure at certification@pgcps.org, licensure.office@pgcps.org or 301-952-6353 for specific details.
Advertisement
CPD Courses are advertised through the Professional Learning Catalog. The catalog will be emailed to all employees. During open registration, the catalog is always posted on the Office of Organizational Development's website at Office of Organizational Development Website and on the PGCPS Staff Portal Page at Staff Portal for Prince George's County Public Schools (pgcps.org).
Assessment Procedures for Participants
All CPD courses are graded on a pass/fail basis and are recorded on the Professional Development Report Form (PDR) after grade reports are submitted by the course instructor.
Attendance
CPD credits are awarded based on seat hours of the course. Course participants are expected to arrive on time, attend ALL classes, and complete all assignments. Course participants are not permitted to miss any classes for a one-credit or two-credit course, or more than one class for a three-credit course (with the exception of a hybrid course) and still be eligible for credit. Failure to attend as noted will result in failing the class. If an extenuating circumstance should arise, the participant should contact the course instructor if they are going to miss a class.
In a hybrid course, the first and last sessions are mandatory synchronous virtual sessions. Participants cannot miss any of the mandatory sessions for a hybrid course. Any missed attendance at required session(s) will result in failure of the course.
Due to the required seat time mandated by MSDE, being more than 30 minutes late to the same course twice is equivalent to one absence. This will result in failing the class. See above for breakdown by credit.
Children are not permitted to attend in person classes. Please make arrangements for child care prior to the first session.
Calculation of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Credits for a Course
The number of CPD credits are assigned by MSDE. Each course is based on the number of hours participants are engaged in course activity with the instructor.
- 15 hours of activity = 1 credit
- 30 hours of activity = 2 credits
- 45 hours of activity = 3 credits
Certification/Licensure/Salary Lane Changes/Certification (Licensure) Renewals
Upon successful completion of a course participants should contact the Office of Certification and Licensure at certification@pgcps.org, licensure.office@pgcps.org or 301-952-6353 to discuss certification/licensure, salary lane changes or certification/licensure renewal.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Courses Eligible for Licensure Renewal
Courses that have been approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and have a MSDE course number such as (16-00-00) hold CPD credit and may be eligible to use toward the renewal of your teaching license. Please contact the Office of Certification and Licensure at certification@pgcps.org, licensure.office@pgcps.org or 301-952-6353 for courses specific to your renewal requirements and the Office of Certification and Licensure will provide an audit of the courses needed to renew your teaching certificate.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Courses Eligible for Conditional Licensure Holders to Use Toward Initial Licensure
Some CPD courses can be used by Conditional License holders to obtain an initial teaching license. Please contact the Office of Certification and Licensure at certification@pgcps.org, licensure.office@pgcps.org or 301-952-6353 for specific required courses. The Office of Certification and Licensure can provide an audit of the courses needed to obtain your teaching license.
Course Cancellation and Postponement Policy
The Office of Organizational Development (OOD) reserves the right to cancel any offering when there is insufficient enrollment or at the discretion of the Coordinator. In instances where participants have paid a fee for a course that is canceled, the participant may receive a full refund or are given the opportunity to enroll in another course. OOD also reserves the right to postpone classes, limit registration, and assign registration priority when deemed necessary. Participants will be notified of any changes before the class begins via the system email.
Course Evaluation
At the conclusion of all programs conducted for state-approved credit, an electronic evaluation is completed by each participant. Instructors will guide evaluations and participants need to bring their laptops to complete their evaluations. Occasionally, the Office of Organizational Development (OOD) will follow up these assessments with surveys, focus groups, and interviews. Individuals can also forward additional comments, suggestions, and reactions to the Office of Organizational Development, Oxon Hill Staff Development Center, 7711 Livingston Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745, or email ood@pgcps.org.
Course Schedules
PGCPS offers CPD courses throughout the school year. Semesters include Spring (January-June), Summer (June-August) and Fall (September–December) sessions. Continuing Professional Development courses can be offered Monday through Friday beginning any time after 4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays during the school year. Select courses are offered online or at alternate times. Specific meeting dates and times for courses can be located in the Continuing Professional Development Course Catalog. Scheduled classes will be held if PGCPS is closed for students and it is a scheduled workday for staff.
Dropping/Withdrawing from a Course
If a participant is unable to participate in a course, he/she should:
- Notify the instructor, and
- Notify the Office of Organizational Development. Individuals should email the Office of Organizational Development at ood@pgcps.org.
Withdrawals are not official until the above notifications are made. For courses where a fee is required, please refer to the Refund Policy.
Refund Policy
- To request a refund, participants must drop the course in eDoctrina within the time frame noted below and email the Office of Organizational Development at ood@pgcps.org and cite the reason for requesting a refund, (make sure to include registrant's EIN).
- A refund of 100% will be processed for requests for refunds received after the first meeting date (of a 2 meeting date course) or on or before the 3rd meeting date (of a 13 meeting date course).
- There will be no refunds issued if the request is not processed as noted above.
- Funds will be refunded provided the request is received as noted above.
- Refund requests must be received as noted above and not more than 30 days from registration.
Duplicate Professional Development Reports
Professional Development Reports (PDRs) are provided to participants via eDoctrina upon successful course completion. Duplicate copies of Professional Development Reports can be obtained for a fee of $15. Requests for duplicate copies should be directed to ood@pgcps.org. Payment must be made through prior to the issuance of a duplicate Professional Development Report.
Eligibility to Participate in CPD Courses
Any current PGCPS employee can participate in courses. Non-Employees are eligible to participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit courses only if space is available. Please note, any non-PGCPS employee will be charged a $20 processing fee, in addition to any course fees. Some courses are designed for specific audiences and will be restricted. Employees that are on extended leave (FMLA, administrative leave, disability leave, leave of absence, sick bank leave) are not permitted to attend courses.
Emergency/School Closings – Cancellation of Class
All PGCPS professional learning will follow the school schedule. When scheduled courses cannot be held because of a holiday or an emergency/school closing (snow, power outage, heat-related conditions, etc.) the missed class time MUST be made up for credit courses. Note: Your course instructor will notify you regarding make up dates. Please check the PGCPS website at www.pgcps.org for emergency/school closings and weather related updates.
Additional information is included below under the Inclement Weather Policy.
Enrollment in More than One Course
Participants can take more than one course at a time as long as they pay for each course (where applicable) and the schedules for the courses do not conflict with each other. Participants are not allowed to register for a course that has the same meeting times and days. This applies to all classes, including virtual classes, that have any meeting days that are conflicting.
Fees and Tuition for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Courses
CPD credit-bearing courses are typically financed by participants. Certain courses are provided to participants with reduced or waived fees due to system priorities or available funding sources. These low or no cost fees provide on-going, state-approved professional development opportunities without the higher cost of college/university tuition. The assessed fees will cover materials and personnel costs necessary to conduct each course. Fees are noted with the course description in the Continuing Professional Development Course Catalog. The current cost for CPD credit-bearing courses is listed below.
1 Credit Course: $75 2 Credit Course: $150 3 Credit Course: $225
Grading
If all course requirements (established by MSDE, PGCPS CPD Office and outlined in course syllabus) are not met, a participant does not pass a course, credit will not be issued.
Hybrid Course
In a hybrid course, the first and last sessions are mandatory synchronous virtual sessions, while the middle sessions are asynchronous. Attendance is mandatory for all of the required synchronous virtual sessions. Participants cannot miss any of the 2 or 3 mandatory sessions for a hybrid course. Any missed attendance at required session(s) will result in failure of the course.
Inclement Weather Policy
All PGCPS professional learning opportunities are canceled when schools are closed or evening activities are canceled. Please check the PGCPS website at www.pgcps.org for weather related updates. All PGCPS professional learning will follow the school schedule.
- Code Orange - Daytime PL will be canceled/rescheduled. Evening PL will be virtual;
- Code Green - PL will be rescheduled/canceled;
- Code Blue - PL will be rescheduled/canceled;
- Code Yellow - Schools Closed - PL will be rescheduled;
- Code Purple - Schools Closed - PL will be rescheduled;
- Code Brown - Virtual Learning Day - Daytime PL will be rescheduled. Evening virtual PL will still commence;
If schools close early and evening activities are canceled - PL will be rescheduled. Please check the PGCPS website at www.pgcps.org for emergency/school closings and weather related updates. Additional information is included above under Emergency/School Closings – Cancellation of Class.
Incomplete Policy
Participants in CPD courses are expected to complete all course work by the last scheduled class meeting. Only for extraordinary reasons will an “incomplete” be assigned by the instructor. In such cases, permission must be secured in writing prior to the conclusion of the course and work must be received no later than three days after the course has ended, if credit is to be awarded.
No Show
If a participant fails to report to a course and fails to withdraw, they will be marked as a “No Show” and forfeit any course refunds.
Non-PGCPS Employees
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit courses may be available to non-employees based on available course space. Registration for non-employees is held after registration closes for current, active PGCPS employees. In addition to the stated course fee, an administrative fee of $20 for each course is assessed for non-employees.
Interested non-employees should send an email to the Office of Organizational Development at ood@pgcps.org to express their interest. The email should include contact information and the course(s) they are interested in registering for. Once registration is closed for current employees, the CPD office will reach out to participants who submitted an email and advise if space is available. At that time, the CPD office will provide non-employees with a link to register for the course(s). Registration must take place within 48 hours of notification that space is available. Course payment and registration fee will be due at the time of registration. NO walk-ins will be accepted at the Oxon Hill Staff Development Center (OHSDC). The process outlined above must be followed. Notification of interest must be received at least seven (7) days prior to the course start date.
Payment for Courses
Payment for courses must be made at the time of registration in eDoctrina. Payments are made through MySchoolBucks but processed through eDoctrina at the time of registration.
[🆕] Professional Development Reports (PDRs)
The Professional Development Report (also called Professional Grade Report) is the document that participants need to provide to the Office of Certification and Licensure to show course completion and the earning of credits toward renewing their Teaching Certificate and/or License.
Professional Development Reports are now LIVE in eDoctrina. Educators can locate their Professional Development Report(s) on the Learner Dashboard in eDoctrina. Once a learner is marked “Pass” by their instructor, the PDR will be available. By clicking on the print icon, enter the date range of the recently taken CPD and the Professional Development Report will be generated in PDF format for print and/or download.
The Professional Development Report for non-PGCPS employees will be sent to the participant's home address. It is the participant's responsibility to submit the Professional Development Report to the Office of Certification and Licensure and/or upload it to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) TeachHub.
Professional Library
The Professional Library at Bonnie F. Johns Educational Media Center (BJEMC) can help with research, full-text articles, professional books and ebooks. It is located at 8437 Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785. The librarian can be reached at 301-386-1597 or cathe.francoeur@pgcps.org.
Textbooks
Courses requiring the purchase of textbooks prior to the start of a course are noted within the course description in the Professional Learning Course Guide. Please confirm with the instructor prior to purchasing.