SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6530

BYSenators Moore, Johnson, Rasmussen and von Reichbauer

Awarding credit for certain credits earned while pursuing and beyond awarded bachelor's and master's degrees for purposes of teachers' salary allocation schedules.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 31, 1990

Senate Staff:Susan Mosborg (786-7439)

AS OF JANUARY 31, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Placement on the state salary allocation schedule for instructional staff is determined by the employee's highest degree plus the number of credits earned after completion of the highest degree.  A change was made in the 1990-91 salary allocation schedule to also allow any credits in excess of 45 credits earned after the bachelor's degree but before the masters degree to be counted after the master's degree.  Credits earned prior to the awarding of the bachelor's degree in excess of the requirements for the bachelor's degree are not recognized.  Among the teachers affected by this definition of eligible credits are those who take courses toward completion of the fifth year requirement before completing their bachelor's degree, perhaps while waiting for a place to student teach.

SUMMARY:

Eligible credits are defined as those that satisfy requirements for endorsements, or that satisfy general knowledge or pedagogy requirements as established by the State Board of Education.

For the purpose of placement on the salary allocation schedule, the Superintendent of Public Instruction calculates total eligible credits including:  (1) credits earned in excess of those required for the award of the employee's first bachelor's or master's degree;  (2) credits earned after the award of the employee's first bachelor's or master's degree;  (3) credits earned on or before October 1 of the year for which allocations are being calculated;  and (4) credits earned in approved in-service training and continuing education programs as defined in 28A.71.110.

Certificated employees may submit a letter to their school district identifying credits not currently counted in the employee's placement on the salary allocation model.  No letter of application shall be accepted after June 10, 1991.  Procedures and timelines are established for review of previously earned credits.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    requested