THE RECERTIFICATION (LICENSE RENEWAL) PROCESS

As part of the recertification process, the Massachusetts Department of Education requires all certified staff to have their Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) approved no later than 90 days after being employed by a school system.

1. Read the booklet, Recertification Guidelines for Massachusetts Educators: January 2000. OR, these guidelines are available for reading/download at http://www.doe.mass.edu/recert/2000guidelines/

2. Review the model IPDP (Individual Professional Development Plan) found within the DOE's Recertification Tour and Lexington's professional development/educational goals, which are found on the Professional Development Site or the LPS Web Site. Review your school's improvement goals which can be obtained from the principal.

3. Download the IPDP template from the DOE and fill it in. As you fill in the template, keep the following points in mind:

(a) Write individual goals which are consistent with school and district goals.
(b) Keep your own accurate records of PDPs earned.
(c) Record (specifically for the short term and generally for the long term) future professional development plans/activities which will earn the required PDPs in accordance with the DOE Regulations.
(e) IPDPs must include 30 content PDPs for each additional (non-primary) area of certification.

4. Print out your completed IPDP and get your evaluator's signatory approval within 90 days of the start of the school year.

5. As you complete professional development activities, record them on your IPDP. Submit your IPDP to your supervisor every two years for review and another signature.

6. When it is time to renew your license(s), complete the online application (recommended) or send a hard-copy application in to the DOE via registered mail with return receipt requested.