What is the difference between Exempt and Non-Exempt staff?

Easiest answer: Non-Exempt staff clock-in and Exempt staff are on salary

How can I see how many GT update, ASD, SBEC, and/or AWD I have been credited for this school year?

1. Login to Eduphoria and open the Strive application. 

2. Click on My Professional Learning.

3. Click on Portfolio.

4. Click My Portfolio. Your Portfolio Summary will load in the center panels.

5. In the right side panel, locate the Total credits earned to date section.

FOR Gifted and Talented Update hours:

1. Scroll down in the same right side panel. 

2. Locate the current school year (or school year you need to reference) under the section titles - Portfolio Entries from June 20## to May 20##.  

3. Locate the 🔴Gifted and Talented for the current school year. 

4. Your credited hours will be listed to the right of the year. Note: To keep your GT certification current, you need six (6) hours annually.

FOR ASD: 

5. Locate the ⭐Alternative Staff Development ####-#### for the current school year. 

6. Your credited hours will be listed to the right of the year.

FOR AWD: 

1. Locate the 🟢Alternative Word Day ####-#### for the current school year. 

2. Your credited hours will be listed to the right of the year.

FOR SBEC (certification renewal hours): 

1. Locate the Texas SBEC CPE line. 

2. All credited hours for your Abilene ISD career will be listed. 

3. To drill down by year, scroll down in the same right side panel. 

4. Locate the current school year (or school year you need to reference) under the section titles - Portfolio Entries from June 20## to May 20##.  

5. Your credited hours will be listed to the right of the Texas SBEC CPE line.

How many ASD (Alternative Staff Development) hours am I required to earn for this school year?

2023-2024 Exempt staff                   THREE 6-hour ASD days (18 hours total) 

2024-2024 Exempt staff                    TWO 6-hour ASD days (12 hours total)

2023-2024 Non-Exempt staff        THREE 8-hour ASD days (24 hours total) 

2024-2025 Non-Exempt staff        TWO 8-hour ASD days (16 hours total) 

How many AWD (Alternative Work Day) hours am I required to earn for this school year?

2023-2024 Exempt staff                    0

2024-2025 Exempt staff                    0

2023-2024 Non-Exempt staff         0

2024-2025 Non-Exempt staff         0

Can ASD hours count toward my AWD hours?

Yes, additional Alternative Staff Development hours can count toward your Alternative Work Day hours.

Can AWD hours count toward my ASD hours?

NO, additional Alternative Work Day hours cannot be used in place of Alternative Staff Development hours.

What are the deadlines for having ASD hours complete/submitted for the 2023-2024 school year?

2023-2024 Exempt staff 12 hours by April 1, 2024

2024-2025 Exempt staff 12 hours by April 18, 2025 

2023-2024 Non-exempt staff 8 hours by Jan. 15, 2024

16 hours by Mar. 29th, 2024

24 hours by Apr. 1, 2024

2024-2025 Non-exempt staff 8 hours by Oct. 14, 2024

16 hours by Apr. 18th, 2025

What are the deadlines for having AWD hours complete/submitted?

2023-2024 Exempt staff Not applicable

2024-2025 Exempt staff Not applicable

2023-2024 Eligible Non-exempt staff 16 hours by April 10th, 2023

2024-2025 Eligible Non-exempt staff 16 hours by April 18th, 2024

When can I earn ASD hours?

During the Summer: Between the end of the current school year and start of the next school year  (Memorial Day to Memorial Day) 

During the School Year: Off-contract time (i.e. weekends and district holidays, outside of school operational hours) *Consult with your campus administration to be sure your time will count PRIOR to completing any courses or training sessions.

When can I earn AWD hours?

During the Summer: Between the end of current contracted year and start of the next contracted year

During the School Year: Off-contract time (i.e. weekends and district holidays, outside of school operational hours) *Consult with your administrator to be sure your time will count PRIOR to completing any courses or training sessions.

I’m a coach. How many hours of ASD can I earn for summer coaching clinics/camps/etc?

The maximum number of ASD hours that a coach can earn for these types of summer trainings is 6 hours. The remaining hours of your ASD credit will need to associated with your teaching assignment and/or identified needs within T-TESS.

Note: All staff development activities must have prior approval from Principal or Supervisor.

How can I earn ASD hours?

• District Summer Staff Development (see Professional Learning Catalog)

• Region 14 courses

• College courses applicable to your current assignment

• Book Study 

• Infobased Learning (formerly Hoonuit) in Classlink

• See ASD Policies for additional examples

Note: All staff development activities must have prior approval from Principal or Supervisor.

How can I earn AWD hours?

• Working on campus or in your classroom

• Working a campus event off-contract hours (evening or weekend event)

• Additional professional learning (ASD) hours

• See ASD Policies for more examples

Note: All staff development activities must have prior approval from Principal or Supervisor.

If I want to attend a training at Region 14, will the district pay the registration fee?

Yes! Contact your campus administration team to be given the annual PO to use when registering.

Note: All staff development activities must have prior approval from Principal or Supervisor.

How do I enter an outside workshop or conference to receive Alternative Staff Development (ASD) credit?

NOTE: Region 14 courses do not need to be entered as outside workshops or conferences. Abilene ISD receives monthly reports and imports the credits upon receipt.

1. Login to Eduphoria and open the Strive application. 

2. Click on My Professional Learning.

3. Click on Portfolio.

4. Click My Portfolio and Select Add New Portfolio Entry (linked at the bottom).

5. Select Outside Workshop or conference and click Next.

6. Enter the title, description, and date/time for the workshop or conference. Click Next.

7. IMPORTANT: Enter the hours requested for the appropriate credit types. Be sure to select the correct year for Alternative Staff Development credits (i.e. For courses during the summer of 2023, select ASD 2023-2024). You should also request Texas SBEC CPE credits in an equal amount. Click Next.

8. Enter the T-TESS dimensions (e.g. 4.3 Professional Development). Click Next.

9. Add applicable goals. Click Next.

10. Upload a photo or PDF version of the course certificate (or other evidence of completion). Click Next.

11. Click Finish.

Watch the process in this short instructional video. 

Click here to view Step-by-Step Instructions with screenshots.