Professional Development
This memo serves as a reference point to clarify two separate benefits—the tuition Reimbursement Benefit and the Salary Increment Benefit. These benefits entail two separate processes, which are described in the memo.
District Sponsored Professional Development
Register for district sponsored Professional Development workshops/courses on Vector
You can still access your transcripts for your prior PD courses on SmartEDU.
District wide Goals for Professional Staff
The district wide goals are available in the MPS Strategic Plan.
Tuition Reimbursement
Tuition Reimbursement Procedures Memo
Teachers are eligible for reimbursement of tuition and fees. Maximum reimbursement is $1,000 per individual per year.
- May 1 for the summer semester courses
- August 1 for fall semester courses
- December 1 for spring semester courses
Request for Salary Increment
Request for Salary Increment Credit Approval Form (PDF)
Request for Salary Increment Form (PDF)
In order to be eligible for salary increment approval (and most likely even usable for re-licensure) the course or workshop must be offered by a college, university or by an organization only if that organization has been recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a provider of professional development points. Online professional development offered by out of state providers may be eligible but complete information about the provider must be included with the request form.
Submission Process and Due Dates
Please note that there Salary Increment Submission Process will occur twice per year on the following days:
- First Monday in August
- Third Monday in January
In order to be considered for a salary increment, you must submit the following:
- Previously approved Request for Salary Increment Credit Approval Form
- Please note: These forms must be submitted and signed prior to taking a course. These forms require two or three signatures, depending on grade level.
- You do not have to send previously required materials such as course syllabi, course description, accreditation statement, or other ancillary materials.
- Course of study completion verification with a grade of B or better.
- Official transcripts should be provided as documentation.
- If an official transcript is not available, then a clear grade report with institution name, institution phone number, date the course was completed/grade awarded, course title that correlates to the previously approved Request for Salary Increment Credit Approval Form, and the grade awarded may be accepted in lieu of an official transcript.
- Previously used credits for salary increment or credits that were part of attaining a degree (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate, etc.) are ineligible to be used a second time.
- Request for Salary Increment form filled out with your Salary Level Prior to Request and your new Salary Level Requested.
- Course credits do not expire but must be accompanied by previously approved Request for Salary Increment Credit Approval Form.
- Courses MUST receive prior authorization from the requisite supervisors in order to be considered for salary increment.
- Please be mindful of the time it takes to travel within the district via interoffice mail. Courses must be approved prior to the course start date.
Submissions can be emailed to Lisa Malone or sent in hard copy form via interoffice mail, USPS, or hand-delivered.
Facilitator Information
PD Schedule for the 2024-2025 School Year
Elementary and Secondary Level Early Release & Full-Day Professional Development Calendar
Investigations 3 Training Schedule
Investigations 3 Math Training Dates (Elementary)
Out-of-District Professional Development
Please note, Medford Public Schools will not be responsible for any cost associated with these offerings.
Request for Conference/Professional Development Day (PDF form)
PD Collaborative and Massachusetts Partnership for Youth
The Medford Public Schools is a member of both the PD Collaborative (formerly the Salem State Collaborative) and the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth (MPY). Membership in these collaboratives allows MPS staff to register for free and low cost workshops. The Professional Development Opportunities Outside of the Medford Public Schools document has information on these collaborative organizations as well as offerings through the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.).