Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Induction?

   All persons who receive their Instructional I or Vocational Instructional I Certificate on or after June 1, 1987 must present evidence of having successfully completed a PDE-approved induction program in order to qualify for an Instructional II or Vocational Instructional II Certificate. Individuals holding Educational Specialist I Certificates issued in accordance with September 1, 1999 regulations must also complete a PDE-approved induction program. Intermediate Unit 1 has integrated its induction program with the three year requirement for extra-contracted days. Therefore, all Intermediate Unit 1 professional employees must complete 15 extra-contracted days during their first three years of employment. The first year of employment begins on the inductee's start date.

2. Where can I find Intermediate Unit 1 induction information?

   Information can be found at http://www.iu1.org under the Instructional Support Services Department and Induction for IU1 Staff. All new professional employees will receive the Induction and portfolio information at the Introduction to Induction session. Key forms and information is located on the IU1 website.

3. How do I register for IU1 Induction activities?

   Register online at http://www.solutionwhere.com/iu1. Instructions are provided in the Induction Handbook and at http://www.solutionwhere.com/iu1.

   Username: Initials and last four digits of your social security number in lowercase letters.
   Password: last name in lower case letters.

4. What if I register for an activity, but cannot participate?

   Notify Keith Golebie and your supervisor by email if a registration needs to be cancelled. Inductees are required to make up all induction sessions.

5. How many days of induction are required?

   Induction occurs throughout the first three years of employment and involves a total of 15 extra contracted days. (E.g. after school or on the weekend.) The required number of days are:

   • Teachers, speech, vision, hearing, nurses, and school counselors 186 + 5 = 191 total days
   • Psychologists 214 + 5 = 219 total days
   • Social workers 196 + 5 = 201 total days
6. What is required to complete the IU1 Induction Program?

   According to Chapter 49, all inductees must understand Pennsylvania's Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators. As part of the Intermediate Unit 1 Induction Program, after reading Pennsylvania's Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators, all inductees must email three key concepts identified from their reading to Keith Golebie. Inductees must complete this assignment during the first year of induction. See IU1 Staff Induction or http://www.pde.state.pa.us for a copy of Pennsylvania's Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators. Mr. Golebie will email the inductee when the key concepts have been received. In addition, during their first three years of employment, inductees must complete 15 extra contracted days. Inductees must attend all induction sessions, sign in and out, participate in activities and discussions, complete all assignments, complete a yearly Mentor/Inductee log, and develop a professional portfolio using the Portfolio Guidelines.

   The portfolio process is explained during the Introduction to Induction sessions. All inductees must attend one of the Introduction to Induction sessions. In addition, inductees may take without fee the Reflective Practitioner courses Part 1 and/or Part 2 to help them prepare their portfolios. Those inductees interested in building a digital portfolio, may take the online course: Building your ePortfolio, which will be available starting the Fall of 2008 as a Year 3 option (see the Induction Schedule) or prior to Year 3 as a tuition free course. The inductees should work closely with their direct supervisors on their portfolios.

   An updated schedule of the required induction sessions is posted on the IU1 website. Inductees will find the schedule and other important documents under the IU1 Staff Induction section in the Instructional Support Services Department. Inductees should check the website frequently as dates may change during the year. An email will be sent by Keith Golebie to the mentors, supervisors, and inductees if changes are made to the Induction Schedule.

   Starting in August 2008, at the end of each year (based on inductee start date) inductees must update the Induction Checklist to indicate their progress in completing the induction sessions and complete the Mentor/Inductee Log. Inductees must send a copy of the updated checklist and an updated Solutionwhere transcript to their direct supervisor and Keith Golebie at the end of each year of employment (based on start date) during the three year induction period. A copy of the completed Mentor/Inductee Log must be sent to Keith Golebie within two weeks of the end of each year of employment (based on mentor assignment date).

   Starting in August 2008, at the end of each year (based on inductee start date), the inductees must complete an action plan listing any induction sessions missed. Action plan templates are available at under the Instructional Support Services Department. A copy of the action plan must be sent to the direct supervisor and Keith Golebie. Mr. Golebie maintains a folder of the completed checklists, action plans, and logs in the Instructional Support Services office.

   Presentation/Third Year Information

   During April of the third year, inductees present a short report or PowerPoint (no longer than five minutes) that summarizes or highlights key learning from their induction experience. The inductees must prepare a one page executive summary of their presentations for the Director of Instructional Support Services and the attendees of the April presentation. Starting in April 2009, the inductees will present in small groups facilitated by the supervisors. The mentors attend the April presentation by their inductees. The inductees will give/review their induction portfolios to their direct supervisors on the evening of their presentation. In addition, the inductees must bring updated Solutionwhere transcripts and updated Induction Checklists to the presentation for their direct supervisors. The inductees will also send their final completed Mentor/Inductee Logs to Keith Golebie after the April session if the third year of their induction is completed (based on date mentor assigned). The Director of Instructional Support Services will have available for each supervisor the Induction Folder for each Year 3 presenter during the April presentation session. These folders are to be returned at the end of the evening.

   The induction folders with the updated checklists, transcripts, and action plans (if needed) for all Year 3 inductees will be given to Keith Golebie by the supervisor after the April presentations. Mr. Golebie will check for receipt of the Pennsylvania's Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators assignment from Year 1 and the Mentor/Inductee logs and sign off on the Induction checklist that the induction program is complete. Then he will update the database to indicate the inductees who have completed all of the induction requirements. Mr. Golebie will send Induction Completion certificates to all inductees who have completed the induction requirements.

   Any third year inductee who has missed sessions must complete the sessions as soon as possible. When the sessions are completed, inductees must email Keith Golebie and their direct supervisors that they have completed the sessions listed in their action plans. They must send updated Induction Checklists and transcripts to Keith Golebie and their supervisors. Mr. Golebie will check for receipt of the Pennsylvania's Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators assignment from Year 1 and the Mentor/Inductee logs and sign off on the Induction Checklist that the induction program is complete. Then he will update the database to indicate the inductees who have completed all of the induction requirements and send Induction Completion certificates to all inductees.

7. What happens if a session is missed during this three-year period?

   The inductee must make up any missed session. Single sessions should be made up the next time they are offered; however, if the first in a series is missed, inductee must wait until the next time the entire series is offered to attend. Inductees must email their direct supervisors and Keith Golebie by email when the inductee cancels an induction session. An Induction Checklist and action plan must be completed at the end of each year to indicate classes completed and those to be made up. See Number 5.

8. Which sessions am I required to attend?

   There are required sessions in each year. Please see the Induction Schedule. This schedule is updated as needed. Keith Golebie will email supervisors, directors, inductees, and mentors if schedule changes are made. Inductees must register at http://www.solutionwhere.com/iu1. All new inductees must review the induction schedule when they are hired and sign up for Year 1 sessions. Introduction to Induction sessions are held in September or October, November, and January of each year. Inductees must attend one of these sessions. The portfolio process and the induction requirements including the Mentor/Inductee log are explained in the Introduction to Induction session. The portfolio process begins in Year 1.

9. Does every professional have to develop a portfolio?

   Yes.

   When does the portfolio process start?

   The portfolio should be started in Year 1 and must be finished by the end of Year 3. The Induction year begins on the inductees start date with Intermediate Unit 1. Please see the Portfolio Guidelines.

10. When can I take free Continuing Professional Education (CPE) courses and which ones which ones may I take?

    During Years 1 and 2, and 3 inductees may take tuition free the following courses:

    • Year 1 Day 3 and 4 School Law and Technology Integration
    • Basic School Law
    • The Principles and Best Practices of Harry Wong
    • Cultural Diversity I or any IU1 one credit technology course
    • The Reflective Practitioner Part 1 and Part 2
    • Building Your ePortfolio

    Inductees are also permitted to take three additional, one credit continuing professional education (CPE) courses of their choice, tuition free, over the three year period. Inductees must pay for the text and materials for each course. Inductees must notify Keith Golebie and Jera Hart by email if the credit fee for a CPE course is to be waived because of Induction. Inductees who are no shows for a course or do not send a cancellation request by email prior to the start of a course are responsible for the cancellation fee. Staff who cancel more than one course will lose the free tuition option.

    To have the tuition waved:

    1. Register.
    2. Choose “Personal Check” as the payment type.
    3. Email Keith Golebie and Jera Hart stating that you registered and would like the fee waved for Induction.
11. Who assigns my mentor?

    The professional's direct supervisor assigns a mentor. If you have not been assigned a mentor, please contact your direct supervisor and Keith Golebie.

12. Who needs Act 48 hours?

    All professionals who hold Pennsylvania certification must comply with Act 48 requirements.

13. When do I get tenure?

    Tenure is granted after three years of successful teaching to all professional who have certificates.

14. When is Intermediate Unit 1 orientation?

    A mandatory orientation is held each year in August. It is conducted by Human Resources.

15. What happens if I am hired after the August orientation?

    Please contact Nadine Jeney or Jennifer Judge with the Human Resources Department to schedule an orientation session.

16. Do I receive mileage for an Induction Workshop?

    Induction workshops are Extra Contracted Days. Therefore, you do not receive mileage.