School Board Policy 619 -
Professional Development for Standards

Adopted: may 26, 1998
REVISED: june 11, 2001
revised: may 9, 2005
revised: january 11, 2010
revised: april 9, 2012
revised: november 12, 2019
Revised: January 9, 2023
Revised: September 9, 2024

I. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish opportunities for professional development which advance the staff’s ability to work effectively with the Minnesota Graduation Assessment Requirements and with students as they progress to achievement of those Minnesota Graduation Assessment Requirements and meet the requirements of federal law.

II. General Statement of Policy 

The school district is committed to developing staff policies and processes for continuous improvement of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to ensure effective implementation of the Minnesota Academic Standards and federal law at all levels.

III. Standards for Professional Development 

A. The district's Professional Development Committee, in partnership with building principals, building professional development committees, and district departments, shall address the needs of all staff in prioritizing professional development, which will ensure effective implementation of the Graduation Assessment Requirement and federal law at all levels. The School Board will be advised on the planning of professional development opportunities.

B. The school district shall place a high priority on professional development including activities, programs, and other efforts to implement the Graduation Assessment Requirements effectively and to upgrade that implementation continuously.

C. Professional development plans for the school district shall address identified needs for Graduation Assessment Requirements implementation throughout all levels of the school district programs.

D. In-service, staff meeting, and district and building level professional development plans and programs shall focus on improving implementation of the Graduation Assessment Requirements at all levels for all students, including those with special needs.

IV. Training and Professional Development 

A. Paraeducator. The school district will provide each paraeducator who assists a licensed teacher in providing student instruction with initial training. Such training will include training in emergency procedures, confidentiality, vulnerability, reporting obligations, discipline, policies, roles and responsibilities, and building orientation. Training will be provided within the first 60 days a paraeducator begins supervising or working with students.

Additionally, with regard to a paraeducator providing support to special education students, the school district will ensure that annual training opportunities are required to enable the paraeducator to further develop the knowledge and skills that are specific to the students with whom the paraeducator works, including understanding disabilities, the unique and individual needs of each student according to the student’s disability and how the disability affects the student’s education and behavior, following lesson plans, and implementing follow-up instructional procedures and activities.

B. Teacher/Administrators. The school district will provide high quality and ongoing professional development activities as required by state and federal laws.

Legal References: 
Minn. Stat. § 120B.02 (Educational Expectations and Graduation Requirements for Minnesota’s Students)
Minn. Stat. § 120B.11 (School District Process for Reviewing Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Achievement Goals; Striving for Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness)
Minn. Stat. § 120B.363 (Credential for Education Paraprofessionals)
Minn. Stat. § 122A.16 (Qualified Teacher Defined)
Minn. Stat. § 122A.60 (Staff Development Program)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0660 (Academic Standards for Language Arts)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0700-3501.0745 (Academic Standards for Mathematics)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0820 (Academic Standards for the Arts)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.0900-3501.0960 (Academic Standards in Science)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.1200-3501.1210 (Academic Standards for English Language Development)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.1300-3501.1345 (Academic Standards for Social Studies)
Minn. Rules Parts 3501.1400-3501.1410 (Academic Standards for Physical Education)
20 U.S.C. § 6301, et seq. (Every Student Succeeds Act)

Cross References: 
WBLASB Policy 601 (School District Curriculum and Instruction Goals)
WBLASB Policy 613 (Graduation Requirements)
WBLASB Policy 616 (School District System Accountability)