Charlotte Academy of Professional Educators (CAPE)

Charlotte Academy of Professional Educators (CAPE) is a professional development program created by Charlotte County Public Schools and CFEA through the Partnership and Performance Council.

It is based on the common interests of both CCPS and CFEA:
• Development of a high quality workforce
• Recruitment and retention of high quality instructional personnel
• Focus on the highest needs of the district

To create the program, the Partnership and Performance Council authorized two subcommittees to develop the design and implementation process. Both the design and implementation subcommittees are composed of representatives of CCPS and CFEA, and also operates using the Interest Based Problem Solving process.

CAPE is a voluntary, tuition-based program that provides an alternative to advanced university/college degrees, providing a comparable salary supplement upon completion. It is an innovative program modeled after the “corporate university” concept.

CAPE is currently open to all actively employed instructional employees that are eligible for membership in CFEA. It is hoped that the program can be expanded or replicated for other employee categories in the near future.

CAPE is governed by the Partnership and Performance Council and designated subcommittees. The Professional Development Academy is authorized as the executive agency for the operation of CAPE. Governance and operational issues should be addressed to the Director of Professional Development.  

The CAPE Program is built on the following philosophical tenets:

  1. All courses should be both rigorous in design, and relevant to the needs of the instructional employee.
  2. All course content should be thoroughly based on research. All course delivery methods should also be research-based.
  3. The focus of CAPE courses will be application in the instructional setting instead of seat-time in the inservice class.
  4. Support through coaching/mentoring is essential for successful implementation.
  5. All CAPE courses will be sequenced to ensure continual development over time. All CAPE courses will be interconnected to provide a holistic, well-rounded classroom instructor.
  6. CAPE will include alumni in various roles: mentors/coaches, trainers, course designers, researchers, demonstration classrooms, etc.

CAPE will provide annual compensation upon demonstration of application of knowledge and skills in the instructional setting instead of once for seat-time in an inservice class.