The Centennial School District recognizes that advantages may accrue to the District when faculty and staff pursue appropriate education or training course offerings.

College Credit Subsidy and Horizontal Movement for CEA Members

Procedures Effective February 1, 2016, for College Credit Subsidy and Horizontal Movement on the Salary Scale

College Credit Subsidy and Horizontal Movement Memo (February 2016)

• Memo

• FAQs

• PDE Approved Certification Programs

Contracted temporary and professional employees in the following assignments include the following:

• Classroom Teachers and Specialists

• Librarians

• School Counselors

• School Psychologists

• Nurses

• Social Workers

The Centennial School District values a highly qualified and well-trained faculty. To this end, the District promotes the pursuit of graduate-level course work designed to extend the competent credentialing of its temporary and professional employees. Furthermore, the District encourages these employees to pursue graduate study that leads to the awarding of advanced degrees, Pennsylvania (PA) certifications, and Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) certificates of endorsement as they relate to an employee's assignment and/or benefit the District.

Effective February 1, 2016, the following procedures will be in effect for requests for college credit subsidy and horizontal movement on the salary scale for courses with a start date of February 1, 2016 or after:

1. College credit subsidy and horizontal movement on the salary scale will be granted for graduate courses taken through an accredited college or university that awards PDE Act 48 credit in increments of 30 hours per credit (90 credits per three-credit course). A listing of colleges and universities accredited for PDE Act 48 credit can be found on PDE's website:PDE Approved Certification Programs

2. College credit subsidy and horizontal movement on the salary scale will be granted for graduate courses taken as part of a master's degree program and/or a doctoral degree program directly related to the employee's area of certification and assignment within the District.

3. College credit subsidy and horizontal movement on the salary scale will be granted for graduate courses taken as part of a master's degree program in educational leadership or educational administration leading to PA certification or PDE certificate of endorsement.

4. College credit subsidy and horizontal movement on the salary scale must be:

   1. in the field of education and within a graduate degree program leading to a master's degree, a doctoral degree, a PA certificate, or a PDE certificate of endorsement and;

   2. in the subject area of the employee's area(s) of PA certification and/or;

   3. of benefit to the District.

5. College credit subsidy and horizontal movement on the salary scale will not be granted to third-party providers associated with a college or university (i.e., Learner's Edge).

6. College credit subsidy and horizontal movement on the salary scale will not be granted for courses that are considered continuing education courses, non-instructor supervised correspondence courses, video courses, or professional development workshops.

7. College credit subsidy and horizontal movement on the salary scale require pre-approval by the Superintendent. Requests must be submitted ten (10) business days prior to the start of the course. Employees must include the following in requests:

   1. The college/university granting graduate credit and PDE Act 48 credit

   2. The graduate course title, course number, and description

   3. The cost per credit

8. The following applies to employees on a Board-approved sabbatical leave:

   1. College credit subsidy and horizontal movement on the salary scale will be granted if:

      1. the employee takes nine (9) graduate credits per semester from an accredited college or university that grants 270 PDE Act 48 credits in the field of education

         1. that is within a graduate degree program leading to a master's degree, a doctoral degree, a PA certificate, or a PDE certificate of endorsement and/or;

         2. in the subject area of the employee's area(s) of PA certification and/or;

         3. of benefit to the District.

      2. College credit subsidy and horizontal movement on the salary scale will not be granted to employees who take undergraduate credits or professional development courses. Professional development courses are courses that are considered continuing education courses, non-instructor supervised correspondence courses, video courses, or professional development workshops.

9. If the employee takes graduate courses that are not related to the employee's current assignment and the employee earns an additional PA certification, the employee will not receive horizontal movement on the salary scale until the employee is assigned to a position that requires such PA certification.

10. For questions about acceptable coursework for college credit subsidy and horizontal movement on the salary schedule, contact Dr. Brian Wilson, wilsbr@centennialsd.org. 

Examples

Tuition will be reimbursed up to the graduate or Ph.D. program (doctoral) credit cost amount for Temple University subject to the Administrator's approved program as follows:

• One hundred percent (100%) payment for a grade of "A" or "P"; and

• Ninety percent (90%) payment for a grade of "B".

In order to be eligible for tuition reimbursement the Administrator must obtain the prior approval of the Superintendent or her designee for the courses in which the Administrator intends to enroll.

If an Administrator resigns for any reason or if an Administrator's employment is terminated for cause by the Board of School Directors, then promptly upon the Administrator's resignation or termination the Administrator shall repay to the School District a sum of money equal to the amounts of tuition reimbursement paid to him or her by the School District during the prior three (3) year period.