Choosing Professional Learning

There are many approved providers, but how do you know which opportunities are aligned with the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARMs), your licensure requirements, and your professional learning goals?
 

Professional Learning vs. Training: What Qualifies for PDUs

It is important to distinguish between valuable training and professional learning that qualifies for Professional Development Units (PDUs).

Many trainings—such as compliance modules, informational updates, or required annual refreshers—are useful, necessary, and contribute to an educator’s overall practice. However, not all valuable training meets the definition of professional development under Administrative Rule of Montana (ARM) 10.55.714.

To qualify for PDUs, an event must meet the standards set forth in ARM. Professional development is not defined by topic alone, but by intent, structure, and impact. Qualifying professional learning must be intentionally designed to deepen educator knowledge or skills in essential elements of teaching to high standards, support improved practice, and positively impact student learning.

Requirements for Professional Learning to Qualify for PDUs

The table below summarizes the key requirements professional learning events must meet to be eligible for PDUs under ARM 10.55.714 and 10.57.215.

Requirement

What This Means in Practice

Planned and Structured

The event is intentionally designed with a clear purpose, agenda, and learning outcomes—not an incidental or compliance-based activity.

Aligned to P–12 Public School Curriculum

Learning directly supports instruction, student learning, or educator practice within the P–12 system.

Clear Learning Objectives

Objectives describe what educators will know or be able to do as a result of the learning.

Focus on Educator Growth

Builds knowledge or skills in content, pedagogy, instructional strategies, technology use, or leadership.

Active Learning

Includes opportunities for engagement, application, practice, reflection, or feedback—not passive participation only.

Ongoing or Sustained When Appropriate

Supports continued learning over time rather than isolated, one-time events when applicable.

Evaluated for Impact

Designed to improve educator effectiveness and student outcomes, with reflection or evaluation informing future learning.

Time-to-Credit Alignment

One hour of participation equals one Professional Development Unit (1 hour = 1 PDU). Partial hours should not be rounded up.

Events That May Qualify for PDUs Depending on Design

While many of the following topics do not automatically meet the requirements of ARM 10.55.714, some schools and districts have taken innovative approaches by designing professional learning around these topics that does meet ARM standards.

As a result, some events addressing these topics may be eligible for PDUs, depending on how they are structured and aligned to the criteria above. Local leaders should critically evaluate ARM 10.55.714 before issuing PDUs for:

  • CPR / First Aid

  • Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

  • Mentor Teacher activities

  • Mandatory Reporting training

Eligibility depends on whether the local offering is intentionally designed as professional learning (not simply attendance or compliance training).

Events That Do Not Qualify for PDUs

During internal review, the Office of Public Instruction has identified activities for which PDUs have historically been issued but do not meet the requirements of the Administrative Rules of Montana. PDUs should not be issued for the following:

  • Parent–Teacher Conferences

  • Grading Time

  • Classroom Setup or Takedown

  • Staff Meetings

  • Blood-Borne Pathogens Training

  • Accreditation Review Committees

These activities are operational, evaluative, or compliance-based and do not constitute professional development as defined in ARM 10.55.714.

Online Learning Providers That Do Not Qualify for PDUs

The following organizations offer online learning that does not meet Montana’s professional development standards. PDUs should not be issued for participation in virtual training from:

  • Albion Institute

  • IRIS Center

  • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

  • Bureau of Education Research

  • Western Washington University – GG

  • ISS EDU Learn

Important Notice Regarding ed2go and PESI, Inc.

Not all courses offered by ed2go or PESI, Inc. are eligible for PDUs.

When selecting courses from these providers, educators and local approvers must ensure that the course:

  • Meets the requirements of ARM 10.55.714, and

  • Falls within the scope of the P–12 public school curriculum.

Approval is based on course design and alignment—not the provider name alone.

 
We have created some further guidance to help you choose the professional learning that meets your needs.
 

Professional Learning Considerations for Montana Educators

 
Click the button below to start honing-in on your own Personal Learning Needs Inventory! It will take you just 12 minutes!  When you are done you will be able to choose to engage with OPI's available resources and offerings, pursue self-directed learning opportunities, or collaborate with your school leadership team to create a tailored professional development plan.

Personal Learning Needs Inventory

Guidelines and Standards for Professional Learning

Professional learning for educators in the state of Montana should follow certain guidelines and standards.  The guidance and standards below can help educators understand professional learning requirements. 

Federal Definition of Professional Learning

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) § 8101(42) defines "professional development," specifically noting that professional development activities are to be "sustained (not stand-alone, 1-day, or short term workshops), intensive, collaborative, job-embedded, data-driven, and classroom-focused..." (ESEA § 8101(42), pg. 401).

Administrative Rules of Montana

There are a number of Administrative Rules of Montana (ARMs) that guide professional learning for education-related personnel, including:

  • ARM 10.16.3135 Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPDs) - CSPD is a regionalized structure that provides special education-related professional learning for pre-service and in-service educators, administrators, and paraprofessionals.

  • ARM 10.55.601 Accreditation Standards: Procedures - Continuous School Improvement Plans (CSIPs) are developed, implemented, and evaluated yearly by school districts and schools.  The CSIPs include a professional development planning component.

  • ARM 10.55.714 Professional Development - The Professional Development ARM specifies the standards that professional development opportunities must meet.

  • ARM 10.57.215 Renewal Requirements - The activities that are eligible for renewal units are professional development activities and college credits that are of a planned and structured experience and an activity that provides "exposure to a new idea or skill or an extension of an existing idea or skill."

  • ARM 10.57.216 Approved Renewal Activity - Approved renewal unit providers must offer activities that are "deemed appropriate for professional development of licensees in compliance with ARM 10.55.714 and 10.57.215."

Other ARMs address professional learning requirements for specific licenses and endorsements. Additional resources related to licensure can be found on the Montana Educator Licensing website.

Standards

Learning Forward's Standards for Professional Learning "outline the characteristics of professional learning that leads to effective teaching practice, supportive leadership, and improved student results" (2017).  The standards include:

  • Learning Communities - "Professional learning that increases educator effectiveness and results for all students occurs within learning communities committed to continuous improvement, collective responsibility, and goal alignment."

  • Leadership - "Professional learning that increases educator effectiveness and results for all students requires skillful leaders who develop capacity, advocate, and create support systems for professional learning."

  • Resources - "Professional learning that increases educator effectiveness and results for all students requires prioritizing, monitoring, and coordinating resources for educator learning."

  • Data - "Professional Learning that increases educator effectiveness and results for all students uses a variety of sources and types of student, educator, and system data to plan, assess, and evaluate professional learning."

  • Learning Designs - "Professional learning that increases educator effectiveness and results for all students integrates theories, research, and models of human learning to achieve its intended outcomes."

  • Implementation - "Professional learning that increases educator effectiveness and results for all students applies research on change and sustains support for implementation of professional learning for long term change."

  • Outcomes - "Professional learning that increases educator effectiveness and results for all students aligns its outcomes with educator performance and student curriculum standards."

Attendance Guidelines for Participants at Professional Development Events

To maintain compliance with the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) and uphold high standards for professional development, the linked attendance guidelines have been established. These guidelines are designed to ensure meaningful participation and proper tracking of professional development activities.
As a participant of a professional development event, it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these expectations and adhere to the outlined requirements.

Micro-Credentials Defined

Micro-credentials are based upon skills and/or competencies outlined by the micro-credentialing issuer. The micro-credential is awarded upon verification that the participant has demonstrated the skills and/or competencies necessary to earn the micro-credential. The micro-credential is "micro" because it generally takes less time and money to earn a micro-credential when compared to the time and money it takes to earn a traditional degree. Educators who engage in micro-credentialing often provide the micro-credential issuer with artifacts, such as student work samples, lesson plans, and videos, that demonstrate their competencies and skills related to the micro-credential topic.

It's More Than a Badge

Digital badges have been awarded for many years upon completion of an activity. For example, people who have engaged in online learning may be familiar with the concept of earning a badge after completing a module of learning. While micro-credentials often use digital badges, the badges are not simply provided upon completion of a unit of study or after a certain amount of time has passed; instead, the digital badge is awarded after the participant has demonstrated their ability to perform the skills and/or competencies required of the micro-credential. The digital badge can then become a part of the participant's "learner record," similar to a visual resume, that provides specific information regarding the micro-credential, the issuer of the micro-credential, and other important metadata. Therefore, the digital badge is more than an image, and the participant's credentials can be easily verified through the metadata stored within the badge.

Consider Your District's Policies

Districts are able to develop policies related to micro-credentials and how they factor into salary negotiation and collective bargaining agreements. The Office of Public Instruction does not presently accept micro-credentials as professional development units for re-licensure.  However, individual professional development opportunities that are built within micro-credential frameworks may be eligible for professional development units if the provider is an approved professional development unit provider and the event aligns with the Administrative Rules of Montana.

The National Education Association (NEA) has published Micro-credential Guidance to provide considerations for collective bargaining agreements.  In addition, Digital Promise has developed a Micro-credential Policy Map that examines micro-credentials for educators at various levels: higher education, state-level, district-level, and the educator level.

Resources

There are numerous micro-credential providers. This list is not meant to be comprehensive, and educators should always work with district personnel regarding any approval processes related to micro-credentials.

  • BloomBoard - BloomBoard is a platform used for micro-credentials and micro-certification.  BloomBoard’s competencies have been aligned with InTASC and PSEL standards. BloomBoard also offers a pre-candidacy support program for educators seeking National Board Certification. Other categories include Classroom Management, School Climate, Student Engagement, and 21st-Century Skills.

  • Digital Promise - Digital Promise, an independent, bipartisan nonprofit, is working to close the digital learning gap.  They have developed micro-credentials for educators by partnering with well-known educational experts.  Micro-credentials are available in nearly 100 categories, including Collective Leadership, Service Learning, and Teaching Rural Students from Poverty.  Some micro-credentials are free, and some are not.

  • National Education Association Micro-Credentials (NEA) - The NEA has developed personalized, flexible, and job-embedded competencies in many categories, such as Bully Free Schools, Educators Ethics, Effective Paraeducator-Teacher Teams, Instructional Coaching, Restorative Practices, and ESSA, just to name a few.  The micro-credentials are free.

  • PBS Media Literacy Educator Certification - PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) has developed a media literacy micro-credential that is free for educators.  Earning the eight micro-credentials allows educators to become PBS Certified Media Literacy Educators. 
 

National Board Teacher Stipend Program

Montana provides a state stipend to teachers who receive National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The current program was enacted into law by the 2017 Montana legislature. 

Since the legislation was partially aimed at helping the recruitment and retention of teachers at impacted schools, the stipend amount is higher for teachers at schools with critical educator shortages and those schools who qualify for school wide free and reduced lunch. 

More information about the National Board Teacher Stipend Program can be found on the Educator Recruitment & Retention website.

Professional Learning Opportunities for Educators

Welcome to the Montana OPI Professional Learning Page! This page now houses both our live calendar of professional learning events and the educator catalog in one convenient location.

What’s the Difference?

  • Professional Learning Calendar: Displays upcoming events in real time. You can view event dates, times, locations, and session details. This is the best tool for staying up to date with live sessions.

  • Professional Learning Catalog: A searchable reference of all available asynchronous professional learning offerings, including descriptions, learning objectives, and registration information. The catalog allows you to explore options in detail and plan your professional development over time.

How to Use the Calendar

  • Browse events by scrolling through the calendar or switching between month, week, or agenda views. Use the arrows to move to future or past dates.

  • Click on an event to view full details, including descriptions and registration links.

  • Register for events without logging in to Google. You do not need a Google account to view or register for events.

  • Adding events to your own Google Calendar is optional.

    • If you choose to add events, you must be logged in to your Google account.

    • Add a single event: Open the event and select “Copy to my calendar.”

    • Subscribe to the full calendar: Click the “+ Google Calendar” button at the bottom to add all professional learning events.

  • Search events in your Google Calendar (optional): Once the calendar is added, you can use Google Calendar’s search bar to find events by title or keyword.

How to Search & Filter the Catalog

  • Use the search bar to find courses by subject, grade level, or keyword.

  • Apply filters to narrow results by topic, audience, format, or provider.

  • Click on any catalog entry to view detailed information about the course or series.

This page is designed to make professional learning more accessible, easier to plan, and fully up to date. Be sure to check back regularly for new events and updates!

 

 

 
 

Approval for OPI Professional Development Unit Certificate

Whenever possible, Montana educators should attend professional development offered by OPI-approved providers, as their events are pre-approved and aligned with state requirements. If you believe there are special circumstances that prevent you from attending events through approved providers, you may be eligible to request approval through our special circumstances process. Use the flowchart below to determine whether this process applies to you.

Step 1: Are you a licensed Montana educator?

  • Yes – Proceed to Step 2.

  • No – You are not eligible for this process.
     

Step 2: Does an OPI-approved provider offer a similar event?

  • Yes – You must use the approved provider’s event.

  • No – Proceed to Step 3.
     

Step 3: Does the event offered by the non-approved provider meet ARM requirements?
(See ARM 10.55.714, 10.57.215, 10.57.216, 10.57.218)

  • Yes – Proceed to Step 4.

  • No – The event is not eligible for approval.
     

Step 4: Are you employed by an OPI-approved provider?

  • Yes – Submit your certificate to your employer directly, using the contact on the directory linked above.

  • No – Proceed to Step 5.

Step 5: Submit the Special Circumstances Request Form and attach all required documentation.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the documentation you submit contains ALL the following information:

  • Your name

  • The name of the structure event you attended

  • The name of the organization hosting or delivering the session

  • The name of the individual certifying your completion

  • The number of hours the session lasted

  • The specific date(s) the session took place

  • A signature from the certifying individual or organization

Please remember that this documentation is essential for validating your professional development and awarding PDUs. We are unable to honor incomplete certificates.

Important Reminder

It is your responsibility to ensure the event meets ARM requirements. Events do not align with the PK–12 public school curriculum or do not comply with the Administrative Rules of Montana will not be approved for professional development units (PDUs).

For full guidelines, please refer to the Administrative Rules of Montana:

Teacher Learning Hub

The primary purpose of the OPI Teacher Learning Hub has been to address the challenges of cost, distance, time, and equity of access to high-quality professional development for Montana educators. 

There are two types of courses available:

Facilitated Courses

  • These courses are typically 3-5 weeks. There are deadlines for each activity or assignment and a facilitator will be online to guide you through the course and provide feedback. These courses are typically capped between 20 and 30 participants and run 2-3 times throughout the year.

Self-paced Courses

  • These courses do not have a start or end date, but are continuously open. Complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. There is a facilitator listed in case you have questions. They also monitor the course, and you will also see the facilitator interacting frequently with participants in the forums.
With over 145 courses, you are sure to find courses that meet your professional learning needs.
 

Teacher Learning Hub

Additional OPI Resources

We make every attempt to list all professional learning opportunities for educators on the OPI Learning Opportunities Portal. The following webpages also contain additional professional learning opportunities that you may be interested in!

Frequently Asked Questions

 

We're here to help!

For questions related to professional learning, please contact:

OPIPDUPS@mt.gov.