The Wade Institute is offering Approved Courses for Accelerating Science: Open Access Professional Learning (OAPL). Eligible Massachusetts educators may take these programs at no cost. Please visit the OAPL website to learn more.
Read on to learn more about our current OAPL Programs, or visit our Past OAPL Programs page to learn more about past offerings!
Do you qualify for an OAPL course?
OAPL courses are open to any currently-employed Massachusetts public school educator whose work relates to science in grades preschool through 12. This includes general education teachers, special education teachers, ESL or language support teachers, principals, coaches, and other school or district administrators whose work relates to science. OAPL courses are not open to higher education faculty or administrators.
If you are not sure if you are eligible for an OAPL course, please visit DESE’s OAPL page for more information and contact info for further questions about qualifications.
Early Access Enrollment:
Educators in the following districts or on emergency licenses will receive priority during the first three days of enrollment.
Priority School Districts
Educators who hold an emergency license and are currently employed in an eligible role in one or more of the following fields may enroll during the Early Access period: Early Childhood; Elementary; Moderate Disabilities; Biology; Chemistry; Earth & Space Science; General Science; MS Math/Science; Physics; Technology/Engineering.
Course Completion Requirements:
Per DESE guidance, course completion requires that participants:
1. Attend course sessions.
2. Complete pre and post-knowledge assessment.
3. Complete an end of course survey.
4. Graduate credit will be available for most courses and will involve additional work. There is a fee for the graduate credit which is not covered by DESE.
Note: Only participants who meet these requirements will be eligible for PDP certificates and stipends/substitute funds.
Stipends and PDPs:
Substitute Pay: If the participant attends the PD during a scheduled school day, the district will receive a payment of $150 for the substitute upon course completion.
Stipend: If the participant attends the PD when school is not in session, the participant will receive a stipend of $150- $450, depending on the length of course upon course completion.
PDPs: A certificate for PDPs based on the length of the course will be awarded to participants upon course completion.
Wade Institute OAPL Courses:
You may only enroll in one (1) Wade Institute OAPL course per Fiscal Year so that as many individuals as possible have access to these opportunities. Please select the course that best fits your interests and availability.