DESE DESE Professional Development & Educator Growth 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Massachusetts, how many Professional Development Points (PDPs) must a licensed educator earn to renew a Professional License?
- 150 PDPs over a five-year cycle (Correct answer)
- 100 PDPs over a three-year cycle
- 200 PDPs over a ten-year cycle
- 75 PDPs annually
Correct answer: 150 PDPs over a five-year cycle
Massachusetts requires 150 PDPs earned within a five-year license cycle, with activities approved under an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP).
Question 2: Which of the following activities qualifies for Massachusetts Professional Development Points (PDPs)?
- Completing a graduate-level education course relevant to the educator's license area (Correct answer)
- Attending a staff social event organized by the district
- Reading a non-education related book on personal time
- Participating in a parent-teacher conference
Correct answer: Completing a graduate-level education course relevant to the educator's license area
Graduate coursework directly related to an educator's license area is an approved PDP-earning activity under DESE's professional development regulations.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) in Massachusetts?
- To guide an educator's professional growth by connecting PDP activities to student learning and school/district goals (Correct answer)
- To document salary increases tied to advanced degrees
- To satisfy union contract requirements for annual reviews
- To replace the formal educator evaluation process
Correct answer: To guide an educator's professional growth by connecting PDP activities to student learning and school/district goals
The IPDP is a personalized plan that aligns an educator's professional development activities with student learning needs and school improvement goals.
Question 4: Under Massachusetts DESE guidelines, who is responsible for approving an educator's IPDP?
- The educator's supervisor or principal, in accordance with district guidelines (Correct answer)
- DESE directly reviews and approves each individual IPDP
- The educator's preparation program alumni office
- The local teachers' union chapter president
Correct answer: The educator's supervisor or principal, in accordance with district guidelines
IDPPs are approved at the building or district level by the educator's supervisor, ensuring activities align with local and state improvement priorities.
Question 5: Which of the following is a DESE-recognized format for earning PDPs through collaborative professional development?
- Participation in a structured professional learning community (PLC) with documented outcomes (Correct answer)
- Informal lunch conversations with colleagues about teaching
- Reviewing textbooks in preparation for a new unit
- Completing non-education professional certifications
Correct answer: Participation in a structured professional learning community (PLC) with documented outcomes
Structured PLCs with clear goals, documented participation, and measurable outcomes qualify as DESE-approved collaborative professional development for PDP credit.
Question 6: Massachusetts educators who earn National Board Certification receive which benefit related to licensure?
- PDPs credited toward Professional License renewal and potential salary incentives from the district (Correct answer)
- Automatic upgrade to a Superintendent license
- Exemption from all future MTEL requirements
- Permanent licensure with no renewal requirement
Correct answer: PDPs credited toward Professional License renewal and potential salary incentives from the district
National Board Certification is recognized by DESE as a significant professional achievement that earns PDPs and often qualifies educators for district salary lane advancement.
DESE DESE Professional Development & Educator Growth 1
In Massachusetts, how many Professional Development Points (PDPs) must a licensed educator earn to renew a Professional License?