BPS Staff Resources
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Professional Development Request Form **NOTE - As of July 1, 2025 this process is currently under review and new requests are not being accepted at this time**
If you would like to attend a professional development conference, or workshop, you must make a request to your supervisor, who will determine if the request is aligned with district/school/staff goals and if budget allows. In limited circumstances where additional support may be required, with the approval of your supervisor, you may make a request by completing this form. Once the form is submitted, the Superintendent will review your request. Please do not register for the course yourself. If approved, the Superintendent's Executive Coordinator will register you for the course and update you once completed. Forms must be submitted at least two weeks (ten business days) before the course is scheduled to start.
Important Notes:
- The District does not cover the cost for graduate credits.
- We are only able to submit payment via a PURCHASE ORDER ONLY. If the course you are interested in does not accept purchase orders, we will not be able to register you and pay for the course.
- **As of July 1, 2025, the $25 cost for all PD Collab courses will be the responsibility of the staff member ~ staff do not need to complete a PD Request Form to register for these courses.
Upon completing the workshop or conference, you will be required to write a brief evaluation of it to share in the PD News Group. You will also need to forward confirmation of completion to the HR Department at hrdept@bedfordps.org.
Licensure & Professional Development Reference Sheet
Professional Development Points (PDPs) are used by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as a way of tracking professional development requirements for recertification. PDPs are used only for the purpose of renewing a professional license. Some courses offer the option of converting PDPs into InService/Graduate credits (typically 15 PDPs = 1 InService Credit) for an additional fee and course work. The additional fee is the responsibility of the staff member. Not all PDPs have this option.
InService Credits
BPS InService credit may be awarded to participants who successfully complete approved courses sponsored by the district that are the equivalent of graduate level courses offered by colleges or universities. The same number of InService credits are awarded as graduate credits, as long as, all the same work is completed. For non-graduate courses, InService credit is issued as 15 contact hours = 1 InService credit. A certain number of InService credits, along with other requirements, are required in order to make a salary lane change. Please refer to HR’s Lane Changes page for more information.
Graduate Credits
Graduate credits are issued by a college or university for coursework taken beyond a degree. There is often an additional fee for graduate credits, which is the responsibility of the participant. Graduate credits, in combination with InService credits, can be used to make a salary lane change. Graduate credits are transferable to other districts.
Important Documents:
Employee Handbook (updated 8/2024)
Change of Address/Name Change Form
Additional Compensation Form
BPS Field Trip Form (to be used for ALL field trips)
Substitute Compensation Form
Stipend Request Form
Weekly Time sheet
Additional Staff Resources
Mandatory Staff Training (updated 8/28/2024)
Wednesday Professional Development Calendar
BPS PDP Request Form (for Principals, Directors, & PDs ONLY)