County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators:
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MATHEMATICS AND READING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The California Department of Education (CDE) is continuing its implementation of the Mathematics and Reading Professional Development Program (MRPDP) frequently referred to as Senate Bill 472 (Chapter 524, Statutes of 2006), commencing with California Education Code (EC) Section 99240. The purpose of this letter is to provide information regarding the MRPDP.
Background
SB 472 offers incentive funding to local educational agencies (LEAs), including state special schools, to encourage the professional development of teachers with instruction in the areas of mathematics and reading. The professional development consists of a 40-hour training and 80 hours of follow-up practicum. The 40 hours of initial training focuses on statewide academic content standards, curriculum frameworks, instructional materials, and instructional strategies and is provided by the State Board of Education (SBE)-approved training providers. A current list of approved training providers is located on the Math and Reading Professional Development Intro Web page [http://www.cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/ma/mard.asp]. The 80 hours of follow-up practicum may include follow-up instruction, coaching, or school site assistance.
Each LEA may receive $2,500 per eligible teacher per subject area for the first sequence of 120 hours of program training, up to the LEA’s funding cap for fiscal year (FY) 2008-09. The funding cap is the maximum number of teachers for which each LEA is eligible during FY 2008-09. Participating LEAs may claim $1,250 after a teacher has completed the initial 40-hour training and another $1,250 after a teacher has completed the 80 hour follow-up. Payment for teachers trained in excess of the cap will occur only if sufficient funding exists in either the original appropriation or the subsequent fiscal year’s appropriation. Reimbursement for FY 2008-09 is contingent upon an appropriation for this program in the 2008-09 Budget Act. The funding cap for FY 2008-09 cannot be calculated until the amount of the appropriation is known.
SB 472 is available to all kindergarten and grades one through twelve teachers, including special education teachers. Single subject English or social science teachers may receive training in reading, and single subject mathematics or science teachers may receive training in mathematics. LEAs may grant teachers up to $500 of the reimbursed $1,250 for attending the initial 40-hour training and up to $500 of the reimbursed $1,250 for completing the 80 hour practicum follow-up.
English Learner Professional Development
The English Learner Professional Development (ELPD) provides teachers of English learners with comprehensive instructional strategies using SBE-adopted or standards-aligned instructional materials which focuses on core academic and English Language Development standards, and includes the development of oral language, vocabulary, reading and writing, as well as early intervention techniques, assessment analysis, and differentiated instruction.
The ELPD is now available. The SBE has approved providers to implement training throughout the state. Eligibility to participate in the ELPD is restricted to teachers who have completed the initial 40 hours of training and who teach one or more English learner (EL) pupils. The ELPD training may fulfill 40 hours of the 80 hour follow-up practicum. LEAs may also receive reimbursement for teachers who have already completed their 120 hours (both initial and practicum) and who also complete the 40 hours of the ELPD. While all LEAs are eligible to participate, the law requires the CDE to award priority in funding to any LEA that meets one or more of the following criteria: 1) 20 percent or more of the district’s enrollment are EL pupils; 2) one or more of the district’s schools are in program improvement under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; or 3) one or more of the district’s schools have not met their English language learner subgroup targets pursuant to EC Section 52052. If funding remains after fully funding LEAs who meet these criteria, then LEAs who do not meet the criteria will receive reimbursement.
SB 472 provides additional incentive funds for LEAs ($1,250). LEAs may grant up to $500 of the reimbursed $1,250 for attending the ELPD. The following table demonstrates the two options for completing the ELPD:
| Option 1 | Initial 40 hours - $1,250 | Follow-up 80 hours - $1,250 | ELPD 40 hours - $1,250 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option 2 | Initial 40 hours - $1,250 | ELPD 40 hours - $1,250 | Follow-up 40 hours - $1,250 |
Reimbursement Applications
LEAs are now required to complete the reimbursement application online. You can find links to the instructions and application on the Mathematics and Reading Professional Development Web page [http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r12/mard07rfa.asp].
If you have questions regarding this subject, please contact The Reading/Language Arts Leadership Office, by phone at 916-323-6269. If you have fiscal questions regarding this subject, please contact
Richard Munyer, Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Administrative and Fiscal Services Office, by phone at 916-323-4965 or by e-mail at
RMunyer@cde.ca.gov .
Sincerely,
JACK O’CONNELL
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1430 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814