Inservice Division Washoe County School District Human Resources 425 East 9th Street, Bldg B-105 Reno, NV 89512 (775) 348-0329

Click Here for Upcoming Inservice Course Offerings

Important Message Regarding Inservice Credits

The purpose of professional learning is to give professionals the opportunity to learn and apply new knowledge and skills that can help them in their job and further their career (Upskillist, n.d.).  For teachers and district leaders to be as effective as possible, they need to continually expand their knowledge and skills to implement the best educational practices.  Professional learning is the only way educators can learn to build their performance and raise student achievement (Mizell, H., 2010). With that purpose in mind, WCSD strives to offer professional development that aligns with our standards for professional learning.  

The WEA Negotiated Agreement states that Inservice Credits, approved by WCSD, can be used for movement on the pay scale with 15 hours of professional learning outside of contract time required for 1.0 credit toward salary advancement (24.3.8).  The typical amount someone can complete is six graduate credits in a semester and three over two-week breaks.  This would be 6 credits during the fall semester plus 3 over Winter Break and 6 credits during the spring semester plus 3 over Spring Break for a total of 18 credits in the school year.  There are no restrictions on credits accrued in the summer. To request to take additional graduate credits during the school year, please email professionallearningsupport@washoeschools.net.

For a list of approved and non-approved courses, click here.  

We will continue to update this website with approved and non-approved colleges, universities, and/or programs.  We encourage all WCSD employees to continue professional learning in ways that interest them and benefit their students.  We are grateful for your continued support and cooperation.  

General Information about Inservice Credit

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader software to download, view, and print the Adobe files.

Who Can Receive Credit?

• WCSD individuals certified by the State of Nevada who are currently under contract and actively teaching in the Washoe County School District
• Certified employees from neighboring school districts
• Current WCSD substitutes

How is Inservice Credit Used? 

• For WCSD employees, Inservice Credit may be applied toward advancement on the salary schedule as specified in the Negotiated Agreement with the Washoe County Teachers Association. For salary purposes, Inservice Credit shall apply as either undergraduate credit or graduate credit. It is the participant's responsibility to ensure that all Inservice Credits have been properly applied to their pay card.  
• Inservice Credits taken through the Washoe County School District, where registration occurs in MyPGS and are electronically downloaded to BusinessPlus to be applied to the pay card upon completion of the course.
• Additionally, Professional Learning hours associated with Inservice Credit may be used to renew Nevada teacher/administrator licenses when specific graduate course work is not required. Inservice classes with a W, WA, WCSD, or SDE- in the numbers have been approved by the State Department of Education and are acceptable for recertification.

How Is the Amount of Inservice Credit Determined for Each Course?

• Only non-contract time spent in Professional Learning may count for Inservice Credit. Contract time includes lunch and prep periods, and any paid leave time, including personal and sick days.
• Each half credit represents 7.5 hours.  (15 hours = 1.0 credit; 30 hours = 2 credits; etc.)
• Lunches and breaks do not count as qualifying time for Inservice Credit.
• Inservice Credit cannot be earned if a stipend is paid. 

How do the New DOE Guidelines Affect Inservice Credit and Recertification Hours?

• With the new Nevada Department of Education changes for recertification (effective July 1, 2019), some Inservice courses can now offer partial Inservice Credit/hours when a participant misses a portion of the course, instead of listing a participant as “Incomplete” in MyPGS with no compensation at all. Courses held outside of contract time that fall into this category include:
  • Site-Based Group Meetings (i.e. MTSS, IAT, Leadership Team, Book Study)
  • District Meetings (i.e. Department Leader, Instructional Leader, Music)
• These courses will offer variable credit based on hours of attendance. In the case where a participant attends less than 7.5 hours of the course, the participant will still receive Professional Learning hours for recertification.
• Courses containing a set curriculum, scope and sequence that is identical for each section held, will not be allowed for partial Inservice Credit. Participants will still be required to make up the missing content before Inservice Credit is awarded.

Requirements

• Registrants are required to enroll in the Inservice classes online. To enroll in an Inservice class, go to https://washoe.truenorthlogic.com. For assistance with web registration, contact Professional Learning Support or call Eric Sotelo at (775) 348-0329.
• Inservice Credit will only be issued upon completion of the Inservice class. Credits will be issued as soon as possible; however, allow one to three months for processing.
• Participants may receive credit only once for a course, unless the course has a different number.

• Courses must be in either (1) an educator’s area of licensure, (2) an educator’s current or upcoming courses taught, or (3) in a general education area. Click here for examples.

References:

Hayes, M. (2010) Why professional development matters. Learning Forward. Retrieved from chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://learningforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/professional-development-matters.pdf

Upskillist. (n.d.) The importance and benefits of professional development. Retrieved from https://www.upskillist.pro/blog/the-importance-and-benefits-of-professional-development/#:~:text=The%20purpose%20of%20professional%20development%20is%20to%20give%20professionals%20the,knowledge%20base%20for%20your%20field.

Nevada Department of Education

All inquiries concerning individual licensing should be directed to the Nevada Department of Education. The Inservice Division does not assist personnel with extension applications. It is the participant's responsibility to upload the Inservice certificate of credit or MyPGS Transcript into OPAL when renewing a license.

To enroll in an in-service class, go to https://washoe.truenorthlogic.com. For assistance with web registration, email Professional Learning Support or call Mr. Eric Sotelo at (775) 348-0329.

MyPGS Transcripts

The Inservice Division no longer issues physical certificates of credit.  All Inservice Credits taken through the Washoe County School District, where registration occurs in MyPGS, will appear on the MyPGS transcript once the course is complete, and all course requirements have been met.  The MyPGS Transcript can be uploaded into OPAL as documentation of Professional Learning for recertification purposes with the Nevada Department of Education. The transcript must be uploaded in PDF form. Click the Print button on the transcript and then save it as a PDF. 

One Year Limit to Review Web Transcript

In order to maintain accurate and up-to-date records, participants have ONE YEAR from the completion date of each class to review web transcripts for accuracy.  If the web transcript appears to have a discrepancy, please email Professional Learning Support.  

The District prohibits bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation in any of its educational programs/activities, employment, and employment opportunities.  For the District's full Notice of Non-Discrimination statement as well as methods to address questions and concerns please visit our Notice of Non-Discrimination and Web Accessibility page.