Professional Learning
What is High-Quality Professional Learning (HQPL)?
HQPL consists of learning experiences that are relevant, purposeful, systemic and structured over a sustained period of time with the goal of improving and building upon educators' practices and student outcomes. HQPL enables educators to impact student learning and well-being through the acquisition and application of knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the whole child. HQPL conforms to best practices in research and relates directly to the educator's professional context (grade level, content area, and role) through which the learning is applied.
How Many PLUs Should I Plan for Each Year?
- RIDE has pro-rated the required number of PLUs over the next 5 years, so this number will begin to increase in 2026. Please visit RIDE’s website for the most up-to-date information.
Here are the 2025 renewal requirements:
- Renewal of an Initial (3-year) Certificate: Teachers who have not worked in a RI public school for three years while holding a 3 Year Initial Certificate will need to renew their Initial 3 Year Certificate. Teachers will need 90 PLUs for this renewal.
- Application for a Professional (5-year) Certificate: Teachers seeking to transition from an initial (3-year) to a Professional (5-year) certificate will need 90 PLUs.
- Renewal of a Professional (5-year) Certificate: Teachers renewing a Professional or Advanced certificate will need 75 PLUs.
- Application for an Advanced (7-year) Certificate: In addition to the required 75 PLUs, educators seeking an Advanced Certificate must also achieve one of the aspirational benchmarks listed below during the window of your current certificate. Evidence must be submitted to the district and to RIDE.
- National Board Certification
- Conferral of an advanced degree (i.e., Masters or Ph.D)
- RIDE or national recognition (Milken Award, State Teacher of the Year, or Presidential Award for Math and Science)
- Completion of NISL Executive Development Program or served as a NISL facilitator
- Achieve RIDE certification in a limited number of shortage areas identified by RIDE.
An hour of approved professional learning equals one Professional Learning Unit (PLU). LEAs will verify in the Personnel Data Collection system that the educator has completed all required PLUs. RIDE will not collect individual PLU evidence, but educators should maintain their own records.
Educators can renew online using the RIDE Portal.
More information can be found on the Educator Certification page of RIDE's website.
For questions regarding certification, please email eqac@ride.ri.gov or submit a ticket at https://support.ride.ri.
For specific questions regarding professional learning, please email pl@ride.ri.gov.
Professional Learning Resources:
The Professional Growth module of Frontline contains the district catalog of Professional Learning activities and a proposal form to request pre-approval for an activity. All PLU requests will only be accepted through Frontline. Please contact julie.fezettebaker@bwrsd.org if you have questions.
How to Request PLUs in Frontline
How to Register for a District Catalog Activity in Frontline
Developing Your Professional Learning Plan (Nov. 2024)
Bristol Warren Regional School District Professional Learning Guidance