PL FAQs

Teachers must submit documentation within thirty (30) calendar days of completion of activity at the knowledge level. 

To complete the documentation, login to FPG, complete the knowledge points survey, expenses if applicable, and “Mark Complete” to submit.

Alternatively, if you signed in at a professional learning event, and you do not wish to complete the survey, your sign-in serves as completion documentation and the activity will be completed for you.

To earn application points, documentation must be completed within one (1) year of the activity; 

The application level form and process become active when your knowledge level points are complete.

To earn impact level points, documentation must be completed within three (3) years of completing the knowledge activity 

The impact level form and process become active when application level points are complete. 

Bachelor's Degree - 80 points and 4 semester hours (160 points)

Master's Degree - 120 points  (can be semester hours, combination of semester hours and points, or all points)

Are there limits on how many points I can get?

• The State Department of Education does not have any limits on how many points a person may earn.

Professional development points used for renewal of a license must be earned in at least two of these three areas: Content; Professional Education; Service to the Profession.

Yes, you may use accumulated application and impact level points to move on the pay scale.  So, if you currently have a Bachelor’s Degree, application and impact points you accumulate now can be used to move to the MA +10 or whichever column is applicable. 

College credit hours taken before the Masters cannot be used, however.  With college credit, only classes taken after the granting of the Masters would count for further movement on the compensation grid.

Relicensure points expire upon license renewal.  All relicensure points expire when you renew your license.  Example:  Points earned in 2015 will expire in 2020.  They are only good for the validity of your license.  

Salary scale points expire once you have used them for movement.  Points do not expire for movement on the salary scale, but you can only use them once.

One transcript for renewal.  The Kansas State Department of Education Licensure Division requires an official transcript. 

A second transcript for salary movement.  If you plan to advance on the pay scale, HR will need to have one in your personnel file.

Per KSDE requirements, teachers must submit for pre-approval all graduate coursework before enrolling in a course.  

• • This is to protect staff so that they can be certain that the courses for which they pay will be applicable for relicensure, salary scale movement, and possible tuition reimbursement.  

  • Staff who enroll without pre-approval risk paying for coursework that will not apply to one or all of these.  

  • Submit the “Graduate Course” form in FPG to seek pre-approval for courses.

Once a class’ end date has passed educators must submit a transcript to the HR secretary to finalize and mark completed the course(s) in FPG.

Upon completion of this process, 20 PD points per credit hour are earned.

Contact Lindsay Crawford (crawflin@usd437.net) at Shuler Education Center to request more information. 

Download the application from in the File Library: Frontline Professional Growth > My Info > My File Library > District Files. 

Negotiated Agreement Language for Tuition Reimbursement: The district shall reimburse up to $125.00 per credit hour for up to three (3) semester hours per school year for each teacher to attend a college of his/her choice, provided that the total annual combined reimbursement for all teachers does not exceed $20,000 and the requirements below are followed: 

• All hours taken must relate to the original certification, a masters, specialist, doctorate degree in education, or another endorsement on the teaching certificate. 

• Hours taken must be graduate level hours approved by the Human Resources Department. Exceptions for undergraduate hours must be approved in advance by the Human Resources Department and relate directly to classroom instruction and/or additional endorsements. Any hours not approved in advance shall not be eligible for reimbursement. 

• Transcripts must reflect a final grade of “A” or “B.” Pass/Fail options must be approved in advance by the Associate Superintendent and may not be eligible. 

• In the event the total combined reimbursement for all teachers exceeds $20,000, the actual reimbursement will be pro-rated on a per/hour basis so that the total does not exceed $20,000. 

• Certified staff will be ineligible if they do not return to the district the following year. Exceptions will be made if an employee is non-renewed or AWNEA believes the reimbursement is valid due to extraordinary circumstances. 

• Request forms are due by May 1 of each year. Supporting documents are to be submitted by May 31 of each year. If the due dates fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the forms are due by the following Monday.

200 points are needed to move one column on the pay scale.

Yes, you may use accumulated application and impact level points to move on the pay scale.  So, if you currently have a Bachelor’s Degree, application and impact points you accumulate now can be used to move to the MA +10 or whichever column is applicable. 

College credit hours taken before the Masters cannot be used, however.  With college credit, only classes taken after the granting of the Masters would count for further movement on the compensation grid.

A letter of intent form to complete additional graduate hours/in-service points and/or degree is distributed to all teachers before the end of each school year. 

The intent form must be submitted to the Administrative Office by June 1 so the increase may be budgeted.  

A transcript or letter verifying completion of said hours, inservice points and/or degree must be on file in the administrative office by September 15.  

See the Negotiated Agreement for additional guidance.

By documenting your professional learning in Frontline Professional Growth (FPG), you are able to

apply for a new license using district awarded staff development points;

attend professional learning activities out of district;

receive building or district funding to attending a conference;

receive any type of in-service points; and

accumulate points to move across the pay scale.  

You will create two goals: 

1.  A SMART goal based on student improvement. Often, PLCs create these goals together.

2.  A second SMART goal or a process goal relating to knowledge or skills you wish to develop.

You may use the same goals you create for the evaluation process if you are on an evaluation cycle this year.  If on evaluation, simply copy and paste the goals from the evaluation system into FPG.

A new plan is required yearly.