Information about the Six Hour PL Requirement 

Request for Support Needs Google Form

Dear Certificated Staff,

The Academic Office and SCTA have collaborated to finalize the content, format, and completion process for the remaining 6 hours of required Professional Learning (PL) from Day 3 of "Pre-Service” which replaces the requirement for certificated staff to report to work on Monday, March 29, 2027. 

Establishing a District-Wide Foundational Baseline

For the first time, we are establishing a unified foundation of professional learning intentionally designed as a universal baseline for ALL certificated educators across SCUSD:

• Shared Language & Consistent Classroom Practices: Ensuring that every educator in the district receives the exact same core instruction creates a shared professional vocabulary and unified expectations. Establishing this baseline supports consistent, high-quality, and inclusive classroom practices district-wide before staff level up into deeper, specialized topics. While portions of the content may serve as a refresher for certain roles, establishing this district-wide foundation empowers service providers and educators to support one another in shared standards—particularly regarding pre-referral intervention strategies.

• Foundation for Differentiated Growth: Once this universal foundation is established across all schools, SCUSD can build targeted, differentiated learning pathways tailored to specific job classes, grade spans, and levels of staff experience or expertise in future years.

• Sustainable Onboarding System: In addition to current staff, the universal asynchronous curriculum creates a permanent, standardized onboarding foundation. New educators entering SCUSD—whether hired mid-year or in upcoming school years—can be systematically trained on district expectations, legal compliance, and inclusive practices immediately upon arrival.

This 6-hour learning sequence establishes a district-wide baseline across two core areas designed to support classroom and behavior management, promote restorative practices, and meet critical compliance duties under the Black Parallel School Board (BPSB) agreement:

• Special Education & Inclusive Environments: 2 Hours

• Restorative Practices & Inclusive Environments: 4 Hours 

Here is everything you need to know to access and complete these requirements:

Delivery Format & Key Deadline

• Format: 100% self-paced, asynchronous modules via PublicSchoolWorks.

• Flexibility: Complete the modules outside of contractual hours at your convenience.

• Completion Deadline: April 30, 2027.

Curriculum Outline

1. Special Education Learning Pathway (1 Hour, 50 Minutes)

• Disruptive & Noncompliant Behavior (M-367) (30 min): Proactive strategies to address significant behavior patterns and teach replacement behaviors.

• The Six Principles of IDEA (M-981) (25 min): Educator responsibilities under IDEA, FAPE, LRE, and implementing classroom IEP accommodations/supports. (Note: CA now uses "Emotional Disability" in place of "Emotional Disturbance").

• Creating Inclusive Classrooms - Module 1: Instructional Strategies (M-1064) (30 min): Utilizing Universal Design for Learning (UDL), scaffolds, and explicit instruction to increase access before escalating interventions.

• Creating Inclusive Classrooms - Module 2: Behavioral & Social Strategies (M-1065) (25 min): Supporting belonging and recognizing the connection between academics, behavior, and social functioning.

2. Restorative Practices & Inclusive Environments Pathway (4 Hours)

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Educators (M-925) (45 min): Establishing dignity, equity, racial justice, and belonging as foundational principles.

• Mental Health — Trauma-Informed Care (M-742) (50 min): Understanding how toxic stress affects regulation and responding to underlying needs rather than focusing solely on defiance.

• Implicit Bias & Cultural Responsiveness for Educators (M-948) (60 min): Building awareness of biases, stereotypes, and developing culturally responsive practices that foster respectful relationships with students and families. 

• Self-Regulation — Helping Students Stay on Task (M-364) (30 min): Supporting student agency, self-monitoring, and responsibility.

• De-Escalation Strategies Modules 1–3 (M-265, M-084, M-085) (55 min): Recognizing behavior escalation cycles, using verbal de-escalation, and resolving conflict while maintaining dignity and safety.

How to Access Your Courses

All required courses will automatically populate on your personal PublicSchoolWorks training page by Friday, October 23. You do not need to search for individual modules.

1. Log in to PublicSchoolWorks using your district email and password.

2. Select "Staff/Volunteer Training".

3. View your assigned course list to track your progress and completion status.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to building inclusive, restorative, and supportive learning environments for all SCUSD students. If you experience technical issues accessing PublicSchoolWorks, please reach out to the District Support Desk.