FAQ - eMINTS comprehensive PD
and replacement teacher PD
Note: The FAQ for eMINTS Comprehensive PD and Replacement Teacher PD are identical except for the pricing structure.
The Frequently Asked Questions and answers below provide information to schools, districts and educational organizations both in Missouri and nationally. Items specific to Missouri are identified as such and are included to alleviate the need to duplicate material unnecessarily.
Please note: The eMINTS National Center does not provide resources to schools or districts to implement the eMINTS instructional model or to fund participants in eMINTS professional development programs. Submitting an application for eMINTS professional development programs does not constitute an application for grant funds to implement the eMINTS instructional model or to fund participants’ program fees.
The term “eMINTS staff” refers to individuals directly employed by the eMINTS National Center and to individuals who are under contract with the eMINTS National Center as consultants or sub-contractors for the purpose of delivering eMINTS professional development programs.
The term “certified eMINTS Instructional Specialist employed by the participant’s organization” refers to individuals who have successfully completed the certification process included in the Professional Development for Educational Technology Specialists (PD4ETS) program and who are employed by the same organization (external to eMINTS) with which the participant is affiliated.
Q. What is the purpose of eMINTS PD?
A. eMINTS program evaluation results indicate that the introduction of the eMINTS instructional model into classrooms and schools has the power to change the teaching and learning environment of the school and to improve student performance. eMINTS PD prepares teachers in classrooms equipped with the full suite of eMINTS required hardware and software with the knowledge and skills needed to fully implement the eMINTS instructional model in their classrooms (see eMINTS National Center FAQ for more information about the eMINTS instructional model). Satisfactory completion of eMINTS PD is required for teachers seeking recognition as official eMINTS teachers (see definition of an official eMINTS teacher)
Q. What is the purpose of eMINTS Replacement PD?
A. Schools or districts that must replace official eMINTS teachers who retire, leave the district or change assignments may apply for eMINTS Replacement PD so that the teacher who is replacing the official eMINTS teacher has the requisite preparation needed to maintain the instructional environment in the technology-rich classroom. Teachers replacing official eMINTS teachers must complete the eMINTS Replacements PD program (same content and number of contact hours as eMINTS PD) to be considered official eMINTS teachers themselves. Individuals who have not completed eMINTS Replacement PD but are assigned to teach in a classroom equipped with eMINTS specified equipment are not considered official eMINTS teachers.
Q. What are the benefits to becoming an official eMINTS teacher?
A. The primary benefit to official eMINTS teachers and their students is the likelihood that students will achieve at higher levels than students not in eMINTS classrooms. Program evaluation supporting this statement is available.
Other benefits of becoming an official eMINTS teacher include
Participation on the eMINTS discussion list - an e-mail list that includes all eMINTS teachers past, present and out-of-state. When eMINTS teachers have questions about various topics they post the question to the discussion list and receive immediate responses from other eMINTS teachers. As eMINTS teacher recently noted: “I love the discussion list. It is a wonderful way for new teachers such as myself (third year) to get veteran teacher's opinions.”
Access to electronic updates providing valuable information such as grant funding, conferences beneficial to eMINTS teachers, and other news related to education technology at the state and national level.
Opportunities for additional professional development available only to eMINTS teachers such as the Veteran eMINTS teachers programs.
Eligibility to request new eThemes topics that will be added to the rich resource database.
Eligibility to enroll in and receive graduate credit for eMINTS professional development with the payment of associated university educational fees. Year 1 participants may receive up to 6 hours of graduate credit and Year 2 participants may receive 5 hours of graduate credit.
Access to new teaching tools introduced by eMINTS.
Opportunities to participate in pilot projects that include cost-free software and equipment trials.
Copies of all eMINTS professional development materials
Q. What professional development program activities are included in eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD?
A. Professional development program activities for eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD are the same. The activities include two years of intensive professional development with more than 250 hours of contact time. The activities are delivered by eMINTS staff where possible. The programs may also be delivered by Professional Development for Educational Technology Specialists (PD4ETS) participants or certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists employed by external organizations (school, districts or other educational entities).
eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD program activities consist mainly of face-to-face professional development sessions. In Year 1, participants complete 100 hours (in four-hour increments) and 4 full days of professional development. In addition, participants receive 10-12 classroom visits from the specialist delivering their sessions to coach participants as they translate the professional development content into their classroom teaching practices. In Year 2, participants complete 75 hours (in four-hour increments) and 2 full days of professional development. Participants also receive 10-12 classroom visits in Year 2.
Q. What content is taught to participants in eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD?
A. The content taught over the two years of the programs includes the following scope and sequence of topics. New topics are always being added and current materials undergo annual revision. View current topics and schedules ....
Q. Are eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD available in all locations in Missouri and nationally?
A. eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD delivered by eMINTS staff are available in Missouri depending on staff capacity and an adequate number of participants in a particular geographic region of the state. eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD provided by eMINTS staff are available only to groups of 5 or more participants. Participants seeking eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD may be combined to achieve the required minimum number of participants.
eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD are available nationally (in states outside of Missouri) only when delivered by (PD4ETS) participants or certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists employed by external organizations, such as the participant’s school or district. Find additional information about the PD4ETS program.
Schools or districts that employ their own certified eMINTS Instructional Specialist may provide eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD under the terms of the annual access agreement completed with the eMINTS National Center.
Q. How are dates and locations for professional development sessions established?
A. For participants whose eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD are delivered by eMINTS staff, to the extent possible, participants and eMINTS staff member arrive at mutually convenient dates and locations through a consensus process that is completed at the first session in Year 1. Grant awards and other implementation variables may affect the extent to which all participants' needs can be accommodated.
Participants receiving eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD from PD4ETS participants or certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists employed by the participant’s organization plan the dates and locations for sessions based on the schedule submitted by the PD4ETS participant or eMINTS certified Instructional Specialist to and approved by the eMINTS National Center office.
Q. What are the attendance requirements for eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD? Can missed sessions be made up?
A. Participants in eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD are expected to attend all scheduled sessions unless a valid excuse is presented. Valid excuses for missing sessions provided by eMINTS staff include personal or dependent illness, required attendance at school activities or inclement weather conditions resulting in driving hazards. Extra duty activities for which the participant is paid (such as coaching) are not considered valid excuses for missing sessions. Participating schools and districts are expected to demonstrate program support by allowing participants in eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD sufficient flexibility to attend professional development sessions and refrain from imposing additional duties that create undue hardship on participants’ ability to meet attendance requirements
Valid excuses for missing sessions as well as for making up missed sessions provided by PD4ETS participants or certified eMINTS instructional specialist employed by participants’ organizations should be aligned with the organization’s policies for attendance at professional development sessions. Please note that one of the requirements for designation as an official eMINTS teacher is attendance at not less than 80% of all professional development sessions over the two-year period.
eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD provided by eMINTS staff may be made up under the terms and conditions of the Make-up Sessions policy.
Q. Who is eligible to apply for eMINTS PD?
A. Schools or districts seeking to establish the eMINTS instructional model in their settings may apply for eMINTS PD. eMINTS PD is also available to schools or districts with established eMINTS programs that are expanding the program to additional classrooms or school buildings. The method of delivery for eMINTS PD (whether by eMINTS staff, PD4ETS participant, certified eMINTS Instructional Specialist or a combination) is dependent upon the applicant’s geographic location.
Q. Who is eligible to apply for eMINTS Replacement PD?
A. Only schools or districts with established eMINTS classrooms may apply for eMINTS Replacement PD when an official eMINTS teacher leaves the established eMINTS classroom for any reason. eMINTS Replacement PD is not available to schools or districts with established eMINTS programs for the purpose of expanding the program into additional new classrooms.
Q. Are private, independent and charter schools eligible to apply for eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD?
A. Yes. Private and independent schools as well as charter schools are eligible to apply for eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD under the same guidelines as public schools.
Q. Is it possible for a teacher to apply for eMINTS PD on his/her own without school or district approval or involvement?
A. A goal of eMINTS National Center programs is the development of a professional learning community within a school leading to school-wide renewal and improvement. Development of a professional learning community within a school requires the involvement, approval and buy-in of a critical mass of the teaching staff and significant administrative support. The participation of isolated teachers in eMINTS PD is counter-productive to this goal. A minimum of two teachers per school building with school- or district-level administrative approval is required for initial eMINTS implementation.
Q. If a school or district already employs a certified eMINTS Instructional Specialist, is it necessary to complete an application for eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD?
A. An application is not necessary unless grant awards require one. The eMINTS Instructional Specialist will have the information needed to insure that participants in eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD delivered by the specialist are included in the eMINTS National Center database and accorded the privileges of official eMINTS teachers.
Q. If a school or district has a specialist who in currently participating in the PD4ETS program but who is not yet certified as an eMINTS Instructional Specialist, is it necessary to complete an application for eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD?
A. Yes. An application for these programs is required when the individual delivering the services is not yet certified as an eMINTS Instructional Specialist. This will insure that the participants in eMINTS PD and/or eMINTS Replacement PD are properly entered into the eMINTS National Center database and their progress through eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD is properly monitored by eMINTS staff.
Q. What sources of support are available to pay the participation costs for eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD?
A. Please note: the eMINTS National Center does not provide funds to teachers, schools, districts or other educational organizations interested in implementing the eMINTS instructional model. Schools, districts and other educational organizations may fund equipment, software and/or eMINTS professional development programs using the following sources of funds:
Title I (note: some states have specific regulations regarding equipment purchase).
Titles II.A
Title IV
Title V,
Title VI
Local Professional Development and At-Risk funds
Foundations – see reliable sources such as the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).
Q. Why is the cost of eMINTS PD higher than the cost of eMINTS Replacement PD?
A. The eMINTS National Center recognizes the investment schools or districts have made in establishing eMINTS classrooms and appreciates the additional financial burden of replacing eMINTS teachers in those classrooms. The eMINTS National Center is willing to offset some of the expense it incurs to insure that teachers assigned to replace eMINTS teachers have the support needed to provide quality education to students in classrooms already equipped with eMINTS hardware and software.
The cost of eMINTS PD is higher because providing professional development services to participants implementing new or additional eMINTS classrooms requires the outlay of more eMINTS National Center resources (staff time, set up costs, etc,) than for participants replacing teachers in existing eMINTS classrooms.
Q. Is it possible to reduce the cost of eMINTS PD by combining it with other eMINTS professional development programs or by requesting services for multiple participants?
A. Yes, it is possible to reduce the cost of eMINTS PD by combining it with other eMINTS professional development programs and creating packages of services for a school, district, or organization. It is also possible to reduce costs by requesting services for multiple participants. Costs for eMINTS Replacement PD generally are not reduced since those participation fees are already discounted. All arrangements involving reduced costs must be made directly with the eMINTS National Center office.
For an estimate of eMINTS professional development fees, please complete the online request form. (add link)
Q. Where does capacity in Missouri exist for eMINTS staff to deliver eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD?
A. The eMINTS National Center has made a commitment to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to continue providing professional development services to districts awarded competitive Title II.D grant funds. Following tentative grant awards in May, the capacity for accepting additional participants in eMINTS PD and eMINTS Replacement PD programs delivered in Missouri by eMINTS staff will be known. Capacity also will be dependent on the receipt of applications from interested Missouri schools and districts. Applicants will be notified in early June of the availability of cohort groups for eMINTS PD and/or eMINTS Replacement PD. See eMINTS National Center FAQ
for additional information.
Q. How many teachers from a school or district can apply for eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD delivered by eMINTS staff in Missouri?
A. In Missouri, schools or districts may apply for as many slots in eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD delivered by eMINTS staff as can be justified in the program application and for whom the school or district will pay participation fees. All decisions about the number participants in eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD will depend on capacity in the geographic area.
Q. What requirements must participants in eMINTS PD and eMINTS replacement PD meet?
A. The school or district and participants must complete and meet all requirements stipulated in the eMINTS Professional Development application and accompanying FAQ. Participants in both programs are expected to attend all professional development sessions and classroom visits.
Q. What grade levels and content-specific classrooms can be involved in eMINTS PD?
A. Official eMINTS classrooms may be implemented at grades 3 and above. Multi-grade classrooms may be included. Special education classrooms, classrooms for LEP or ELL students, and Title I classrooms at those grade levels may be included. Classes for gifted students at those grade levels may be included. For additional information about allowable configurations, please refer to the eMINTS National Center FAQ.
Q. Can a school or district send other individuals to audit eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD sessions delivered by eMINTS staff on a full-time or occasional basis?
A. No. It is not possible for individuals to audit eMINTS professional development programs. Requests to visit eMINTS programs delivered by eMINTS staff must be cleared in advance with the eMINTS National Center office.
Q. May a student teacher who is assigned to an eMINTS classroom participate in eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD with his/her supervising teacher?
A. Student teachers assigned to teachers in official eMINTS classrooms may participate in eMINTS professional development sessions (and be provided with materials) delivered by eMINTS staff with their supervising teachers at no cost. It is recommended that student teachers of eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD participants who receive their professional development from PD4ETS participants or certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists be allowed to attend sessions with their supervising teachers.
Student teachers who attend eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD with their supervising teachers are not considered to be official eMINTS teachers upon the completion of student teaching unless the student teacher has completed approved undergraduate course work and field experiences affiliated with the eMINTS National Center.
Q. What if a participant in eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD leaves before completing the program? Will schools or districts be reimbursed for unused portions?
A. Schools or districts will not be reimbursed for unused portions of eMINTS PD or eMINTS Replacement PD contracts. Because of the nature of the professional development program sequence, schools or districts may substitute another individual if the original applicant is unable to complete the program after the first two sessions of Year 1 have been held. Substitutions are not allowed after that time. Substitutions are not allowed at any time during Year 2.
Q. What is a participating school or district required to provide for participants in eMINTS Replacement PD provided by eMINTS staff? Must all the teacher and student equipment be updated to the current specifications?
A. Participants in eMINTS Replacement PD delivered by eMINTS staff will be provided with professional development materials matching the equipment and software in their classrooms insofar as possible. It is not expected that schools or districts update all of the teacher and student equipment to current specifications. It is required that participants in eMINTS Replacement PD be provided with the web editing software specified in current eMINTS specifications. All other contract obligations (provision of a stipend to the participant, etc.) remain the same as for eMINTS PD participants.
Participants in eMINTS Replacement PD delivered by PD4ETS participants or certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists employed by the participants’ organizations are expected to comply with the same restrictions unless approval for variation is received from the eMINTS National Center office.
