Administrative Certificate Renewal using PLUs

Beginning in 2009, any educator holding an administrative certification in an area such as educational administration and/or supervision must earn professional learning units (PLUs) in order to renew the certification when it expires.

The implementation of PLUs for certificate renewal has been done on a graduated scale, with an additional PLU required each year until 2014 when 5 PLUs will be required for renewal and no additional clock hours will be allowed or accepted. ** See chart below.

 * At least one must be a state-approved PLU.

** At least two must be state-approved PLUs.

Definition

A Professional Learning Unit (PLU) is a content-driven, long-term unit of professional study for instructional leaders that fully addresses all knowledge and ability inicators under an Alabama Standard for Instructional Leaders.  Professional study that constitutes a PLU requires multiple professional development experiences over time and will always be aligned with the Alabama Standards for Professional Devlopment in Rule 290-4-3-.01(3).

A PLU is earned at the completion of professional study which fully addresses the knowledge and ability indicators under an Alabama Standards for Instructional Leaders.  The professional study must include comprehensive coverage and evaluation of effectiveness in the school setting.

Professional studies that earn a PLU must be approved either by the Alabama Council for Leadership Council (ACLD) or approved by the local superintendent.

How to find Professional Learning Units

The Alabama Department of Education offers free ACLD-approved courses for PLUs throughout the school year, usually through Distrance Learning of some kind.  Information regarding these courses will be disseminated by local school systems as they become available.

Mountain Brook Schools offers locally-approved PLUs for certain professional learning experiences provided by the district.  A list of these PLUs is available each spring to begin in the summer and be completed during the next school year.

Educators also have the option of applying for a locally-approved PLU for an individually developed professional study using the application attached.  The application must be submitted and approved before the professional study begins.  Applications are to be submitted to Dr. Lisa Beckham at the Mountain Brook Central Office.

Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS) offers a state-approved PLU for attending the summer CLAS conference and other CLAS events throughout the school year.  For information, go to www.clasleaders.org and click on Professional Development.  Choose a standard for a list of related sessions.

Professional coursework in education may also be used for PLUs.  The Alabama Department of Education provides a list of courses approved for a PLU and the colleges/universitites offering the courses.

Questions regarding your administrative certificate or PLU offereings should be directed to Dr. Lisa Beckham or 205-871-4608.