DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of the Secretary

Statutory Authority: 14 Delaware Code, Section 122(b) (14 Del.C. §122(b))

14 DE Admin. Code 727

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

Education Impact Analysis Pursuant To 14 Del.C. Section 122(d)

727 Credit for Experience for Educators and for Secretarial Staff

A. Type of Regulatory Action Required

Amendment to Existing Regulation

B. Synopsis of Subject Matter of the Regulation

The Secretary of Education intends to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 727 Credit For Experience For Educators and For Secretarial Staff. This regulation is amended to clarify the credit for experience received for individuals who graduate from a five year preservice program as defined in the regulation and for individuals who graduate from a four year preservice program with a GPA of 3.75 or higher.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on or before April 5, 2015 to Tina Shockley, Education Associate, Department of Education, Regulatory Review, at 401 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, Delaware 19901. A copy of this regulation may be viewed or obtained at the Department of Education, Finance Office located at the address listed above.

C. Impact Criteria

1. Will the amended regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The amended regulation is not intended to address the improvement of student achievement as measured against state achievement standards.

2. Will the amended regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The amended regulation is intended to continue to ensure all students receive an equitable education.

3. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students’ health and safety are adequately protected? The amendments do not address students’ health and safety.

4. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students’ legal rights are respected? The amended regulation continues to ensure that all student’s legal rights are respected.

5. Will the amended regulation preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision making at the local board and school level? The amended regulations does not change the decision making at the local board and school level.

6. Will the amended regulation place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels? The amended regulation does not place any unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements on decision makers.

7. Will the decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated be placed in the same entity? The decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated does not change because of the amendment.

8. Will the amended regulation be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies? The amendment is consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies.

9. Is there a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the regulation? There is not a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the regulation.

10. What is the cost to the State and to the local school boards of compliance with the regulation? There is no expected cost to implementing this amended regulation.

727 Credit for Experience for Educators and for Secretarial Staff

1.0 Educators Graduating from a 5 Year or 4 Year Preservice Program

1.1 Definitions

1.1.1 The following words and terms when used in this subsection shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Eligible Employee” includes, but is not limited to, teachers, nurses, librarians, psychologists, therapists, and counselors paid in accordance with 14 Del.C. §1305 that were hired into their first professional position after June 30, 2001 and zero years of experience. The exception to the zero years of experience would be an employee who qualified for military experience credit under 14 Del.C. §1312(a) and 14 DE Admin. Code 706.

“Five Year Preservice Program” means a regionally accredited college or university five year planned degree program which includes an extensive clinical component or internship in the fifth year.

“Four Year Preservice Program” means a regionally accredited college or university four year preservice undergraduate bachelor degree program.

“Grade Point Average (GPA)” means the grade point average (GPA) stated on the official transcript of the regionally accredited college or university granting the bachelor’s degree in the Four Year Preservice Program.

1.2 Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1312(a), a graduate of a five year preservice program, or a graduate of a four year preservice program who graduates with a GPA of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent, shall be granted one year of experience on the applicable state salary schedule. one year of experience on the applicable state salary schedule shall be granted to:

1.2.1 A graduate of a four year preservice program who graduates with a GPA of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent; or

1.2.2 A graduate of a five year preservice program as defined above.

1.3 An employee eligible for one year of credited experience shall meet the definition of Eligible Employee in 1.1 and meet the requirements of 1.2.

9 DE Reg. 396 (9/1/05)

2.0 Administrators

No credit for experience shall be given for part time employment in administrative or supervisory positions.

3.0 Teachers

3.1 Days taught as a substitute or as a paraeducator may not be used toward credit for experience; however, employment as a teacher on a regular part time basis may be used toward credit for experience.

3.1.1 A "regular part time" employee is one who is employed in a position which requires at least 50 hours per month for at least 9 months during any 12 consecutive month period.

4.0 Secretarial Staff

Secretaries may be granted one (1) year's of experience for each creditable year of experience as a secretary in private business, public or private school, or other governmental agency.

5.0 Creditable Experience

Creditable experience includes experience obtained while working outside of Delaware.

6.0 Applicability

This regulation applies to the determination of creditable experience for salary purposes only, and does not apply to the determination of creditable experience for pension purposes which is specified in 29 Del.C. Ch. 55. Laws on employment and salary for administrators, teachers, and secretaries are found in 14 Del.C. Ch. 13.

3 DE Reg. 1542 (5/1/00)

8 DE Reg. 1607 (5/1/05)

9 DE Reg. 396 (9/1/05)

14 DE Reg. 457 (11/01/10)

18 DE Reg. 679 (03/01/15) (Prop.)