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20 Hour Professional Development Requirement 
 
Each school year, special education paraprofessionals and assistants shall provide evidence of the completion of 20 hours of professional development activities related to their assignment, (Pa School Code, § 14.105. Personnel). The 20 hours must be completed during the instructional school calendar year. The completion of these hours is necessary for special education paraprofessionals and assistants to remain highly qualified and continue in his/her job assignment. 
 
These hours can be accrued on regular school days, during Summer Academy or through the completion of college coursework. PVSD offers a number of professional development opportunities throughout the school year and during summer. In addition, grade level, reading, and/or mathematics meetings held during the regular school day, led by principals or special education supervisors, and committed to improving student outcomes, may be documented and applied to the 20 hour requirement.
 
Dates for the professional development year for 2023-24 are June 13, 2023 – June 12, 2024.
 

When a staff member transitions into a special education role after the start of the school year, the portion of the 20 hour requirement that must be accumulated is dependent upon the date of hire or start of assignment. The chart below provides guidance on how many hours will be required based upon the month of the school year a paraprofessional is hired or begins fulfilling duties in special education.

Month of Hire in Special Education Position /Required Training Hours

August20
September18
October16
November14
December12
January10
February8
March6
April4
May2
June0

PVSD will make every effort to provide opportunities to earn 20 hours of professional development during the paraprofessional calendar year, but it is the responsibility of the paraprofessional to acquire 20 hours of related annual training to remain qualified to perform their job as a special education paraprofessional or assistant support staff member. Please check My Learning Plan for additional opportunities. (Note: 1 college semester credit = 30 hours and 1 college quarter credit = 20 hours)

 

If you completed any of these PD hours outside of the school day or year, they may be applicable to the PVESPA bonus.