LINN COUNTY R-I

CAREER LADDER PROGRAM

2009-2010

Linn County R-I
15533 Hwy KK
Purdin, Missouri
660-244-5045
linnr1.k12.mo.us / Approved By
the
Board of Education
April 13, 2009

Mission Statement

Linn County R-I School District

Linn County R-I School District is committed to quality education and is dedicated to guiding students to their highest potential. It is our aim to educate the whole student, intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. Education is the responsibility of the parents, student, family, teacher, school staff, and community. All must work cooperatively toward preparing students to be productive and contributing members of an ever-changing global society.

PHILOSOPHY OF CAREER LADDER PROGRAM

Quality education is largely dependent on the skills and talent of the teacher. The Missouri Career Ladder provides a flexible framework in which career advancement is available while teachers are rewarded for performance and professional responsibilities.

The primary purpose of a Career Ladder process is to promote excellence by recognizing and rewarding effective teaching and thus enhancing learning opportunities for students. A Career Ladder should be a positive process, which fosters professional growth, the exchange of ideas, and cooperation among teachers.

The emphasis on excellence, effective teaching and professional development serves to enhance the status of teaching and offers challenges and responsibilities for teachers.

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GOALS

The goals of the Linn County R-1 School District Career Ladder include the following:

a. To improve quality of education in classroom.

b.To improve and enrich educational opportunities for student beyond the scope of the classroom.

c. To increase, school, students, and parental involvement.

d. To provide incentive for professional growth of teachers

e.To encourage greater staff involvement in student activities of a non-classroom nature.

f.To enhance the quality of instruction through the sharing of effective teaching strategies and materials, and promote collaboration and cooperation between elementary and high school teachers.

g.To ensure that we meet the needs of all the students, gifted, at-risk, and the often forgotten "middle."

h. To attract and retain good teachers in our district.

District Comprehensive School Improvement Goals 2008-2013

  1. Increase Academic Achievement
  2. Ninety-five percent of students will read at or above grade level by the end of the third grade.
  3. The percent of students in Proficient and Advanced levels in Communication Arts and Math will meet AYP as measured by the Missouri Assessment Program.
  4. District results on nationally standardized test will remain at or above state and national averages as measured by Tera Nova and ACT.
  5. The district will maintain a graduation rate of above the state average.
  1. Maintain A Positive Learning Environment
  2. Construct a new Vocational Agriculture facility.
  3. Create a larger weight room/fitness facility that all students can access.
  4. Update heating a cooling throughout the facility.
  5. Create a smoke-free environment.
  6. Maintain and improve use of technology in the district.
  7. Install surveillance equipment to improve safety in the district.
  1. Staff Development to Improve Student Success.
  2. Focus on improvement of MAP scores.
  3. Train substitutes to be better prepared in the classroom
  4. Maintain a certificated staff.
  5. Maintain salaries above the average of area schools.

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CAREER LADDER COMMITTEE

The Career Ladder Committee shall consist of the following:

Two elementary teachers

Two secondary teachers

One "special" teacher

One administrator

One Board Member

There must be a quorum of 5 to meet. If six are in attendance, the chairman doesn't vote. The Board will appoint one administrator, and shall select its own representative. A teacher shall serve no more than two consecutive terms.

By the last school day in March, those wishing to serve on the career ladder committee shall submit their names in writing to the President of the CTA (membership in CTA is irrelevant). The CTA shall vote by secret ballot to elect one elementary, one secondary and, every other year, one "special" area teacher. Nominees are to be elected from those participating in the career ladder program, and will serve a three year term.

EVALUATION OF CAREER LADDER PLAN

The Linn County R-I Schools Career ladder Plan will be reviewed at least annually by an ad hoc committee appointed by the superintendent. This committee will be composed of five persons, at least two of whom will be career ladder committee members selected by teachers in the district (if possible committee should include a district patron/parent).

School climate, teachers' perceptions, community/parental responses and structural changes of the career ladder plan shall be the major areas of assessment as suggested by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

This committee will review the functioning of the plan, accept and examine suggestions for improvement of the plan, and make recommendations to the superintendent for changes and revisions of the plan. The superintendent may present the recommendations and suggestions to the Board of Education. After approval of any changes and revisions by the Board, the changes and revisions will be implemented for the following career ladder plan year.

The participants in the career ladder program understand that the program is specifically authorized by state statute and is also subject to state and local budgetary constraints. The Board of Education reserves the right to approve, disapprove, or modify the district's participation in the career ladder program before the beginning of each career ladder year.

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PROCESS TO SUBMIT NEW CAREER LADDER PLAN

l.Teachers will submit a typed or computer generated copy of their individual career ladder plan to the Career Ladder Plan Review Committee no later than April 20th of each school year. All reports will be typed on the standardized forms provided. The plans will be available for committee member examination from the committee chairman.

2.Applications procedure will follow these steps:

a.By March 1st eligible teachers will complete intent to participate form (Form 8).

b.Teacher will collect all materials necessary to document eligibility, and turn these in with the application .

c.Teacher will submit a Career Development Plan no later than April 20th of each school year (Form 1).

d.Committee will examine the plan and make recommendations regarding acceptance or rejection. Acceptance or rejection is determined by majority vote of the Committee.

e.A committee member must be absent from both discussion and vote of his/her plan.

f.If the Career Ladder Committee disapproves the plan, it will be returned to the teacher with reasons for needed revisions in writing. The teacher may resubmit a revised plan within 15 working days. The committee will notify the teacher concerning approval/disapproval within 5 working days of the resubmission of the plan.

g.If rejected again, he may appeal, in person, to the committee. If the plan is again rejected, the School Board is the final level of appeal.

PROCESS TO SUBMIT AMENDED

CAREER LADDER RESPONSIBILITIES

1.Amendments to the Career ladder Plan will be accepted under the following conditions:

A.An amendment meeting will be called by September 30th if any amendments have been filed prior to September 20th. January 10th is the final deadline for teachers desiring to amend their Career ladder plan to submit to the committee the required forms detailing the amendments they wish to make. January 10 is a deadline; forms may be submitted any time prior to January 10 that the participant wishes to.

B.The required forms are: A copy of the approved Responsibilities Plan (Form 4), which the participant wishes to amend. A copy of the Amendment (Form 6). A copy of the Responsibilities (Form 3) with the changes clearly marked.

C.The committee will notify the participant of the approval or rejection of the amendment prior to January 20.

PROCESS TO SUBMIT COMPLETED

CAREER LADDER RESPONSIBILITIES

1.Completed Career ladder Plan will be accepted under the following conditions:

A.By April 1st, teachers participating in the Career ladder will submit to the committee documentation clearly showing that they have completed their responsibilities.

B.If the participant's career ladder plan requires activities in April or May he/she may, by April 1st, fill out an extension request, and submit it to the committee.

C.The final date to submit completed "extension" responsibilities shall be the last day of student attendance.

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Career Ladder Timetable

Current Year

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April 20SUBMIT CAREER LADDER PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR (TYPED)

April 2Begin logging for next year for any responsibilities which have been completed for present year

April 30Submit Form 9 to each participant indicating approval/disapproval of plan.

May 5Deadline to resubmit revised plan.

May 10Notify participants who resubmitted plans of approval/disapproval.

May 1 New Year career ladder year starts for any who have not filed an extension for the previous year. If you have filed an extension your career ladder year starts the day after the last teacher workday.

September 20Deadline for submitting plan amendments to be considered by September 30

September 30On or about, meeting to approve plan amendments submitted prior to September 20

October 31Deadline for filling out form 2 with principal

January 10Final deadline for submission of amendments or revisions to committee

January 20Notify participants of approval/disapproval amendments

April 1SUBMIT CAREER LADDER DOCUMENTATION FOR COMPLETION OF PLAN/OR SUBMIT EXTENSION REQUEST

April 10Meet to Review documentation. Distribute Form 10.

Last Day FINAL DATE TO SUBMIT "EXTENSION" HOURS FOR COMPLETED

of Student PLAN

Attendance

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Next Plan Year

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Feb 1Deadline for individual to submit to Career Ladder Committee a request to waive limitations on number of years at a particular stage. The committee at the Feb board meeting will submit requests to the board.

March 1SUBMIT INTENT TO PARTICIPATE (FORM 8) TO COMMITTEE SPECIFYING STAGE YOUR PLAN WILL BE WRITTEN FOR. ALSO SUBMIT CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLAN (FORM 1)

March Revise Career Ladder Handbook, if necessary, submit to board.

Last Work Submit name to CTA president if member wishes to be considered for election to

Day in the new Career ladder committee.

March

April 15Elect new Career ladder Committee (rotation)

April 20SUBMIT CAREER LADDER PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR (TYPED)

April 2New Year career ladder year starts for any who have not filed an extension for the previous year. If you have filed an extension your career ladder year starts the day after the last teacher workday.

April 30Submit Form 9 to each participant indicating approval/disapproval of plan.

May 5Deadline to resubmit revised plan.

September 20Deadline for submitting plan amendments to be considered by September 30

September 30On or about, meeting to approve plan amendments submitted prior to September 20

October 31Deadline for filling out form 2 with principal

January 10Submit amendments or revisions to committee

January 20Notify participants of approval/disapproval amendments

April 1SUBMIT CAREER LADDER DOCUMENTATION FOR COMPLETION OF PLAN/OR SUBMIT EXTENSION REQUEST

April 10Meet to Review documentation. Distribute Form 10.

Last Day FINAL DATE TO SUBMIT "EXTENSION" HOURS FOR COMPLETED

of Student PLAN

Attendance

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CAREER LADDER - LINN R-I

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Stage I

1.Five years teaching experience in Missouri public school.

2.Appropriate certification in subject area (except when good cause is shown.)

3.Classroom teacher, librarian, or guidance counselor serving on a regular length, full time contract.

4.PBTE. Teacher meets "Performance Expectation" level on the district's performance based teacher evaluation.

5.The plan must contain a minimum of 2 responsibilities, encompassing 60 hours. The educator shall relate each responsibility to an identified plan or other instructional improvement.

6.Plan shall not be remunerated in excess of $1,500.00. If pay is below this figure, hours will be reduced proportionately.

Stage II

1.Successful completion of the Stage I Career Development Plan. Teacher must complete two years on Stage I. One year of this requirement may be waived based upon a total of seven years' prior experience in the public school system. (At the discretion of the board. It is the individual’s responsibility to submit request to Career Ladder Committee by Feb. 1)

2.Appropriate certification except when good cause is shown.

3.Classroom teacher, librarian, or guidance counselor serving on a regular length full time contract.

4.PBTE. At Stage II the teacher shall show evidence of performance above the "Expected" level on 10 percent of evaluation criteria included in the district's PBTE system with at least one of the criteria in the area of instruction/ guidance and counseling process. Ten percent of PBTE constitutes two criteria.

5. The plan must contain a minimum of 3 responsibilities, encompassing 90 hours. The educator shall relate each responsibility to an identified plan or other instructional improvement

6.Plan shall not be remunerated in excess of $3,000.00. If pay is reduced below this figure, hours will be reduced proportionately.

Stage III

1.Successful completion of the Stage II Career Development Plan. Teacher must complete three years on Stage II. Two years of this requirement may be waived based upon a total of ten years' prior experience in the public schools. (At the discretion of the board. It is the individual’s responsibility to submit request to Career Ladder Committee by Feb. 1)

2.Appropriate certification except when good cause is shown.

3.Classroom teacher, librarian, or guidance counselor serving on a reg length, full time contract.

4.PBTE. Teacher shall show evidence of performance above the "Expected" level on 15% of the evaluation criteria included in the district's PBTE system with at least one of the criteria in the area of instruction/guidance counseling process. Fifteen percent constitutes three criteria.

5. The plan must contain a minimum of 4 responsibilities, encompassing 120 hours. The educator shall relate each responsibility to an identified plan or other instructional improvement

6.Plan shall not be remunerated in excess of $5,000.00. If pay is reduced below this figure, hours will be reduced proportionately.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

Teachers must select responsibilities such that the teacher’s Career Development Plan directly and obviously relate to the improvement of programs and services for students as outlined in the District School Improvement Plan, District Goals, Curriculum Development Plan, Missouri School Improvement or instructional improvement in the district. Each teacher’s plan should show a direct or indirect student/parent impact. At Stage I-15 hours should be characterized as direct student/parent impact.

At Stage II-22.5 hours should be characterized as direct student/parent impact. At Stage III-30 hours should be characterized as direct student/parent impact

OTHER LIMITS ON THE CAREER PLANS

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  1. Each responsibility in each individuals career ladder plan must focus on a specific school goal. The plan and goal are listed on Form 4 “Responsibility Plan.” This goal may come from any school related program or plan, but the goal needs to have received voted approval of the board of education. Priority should be given to the goals established in the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP), but can be from any program including but not limited to: PDC, Gifted, Title I, or departmental goals.

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2. Responsibilities will not cover job assignments:

a.For any activity that is part of the educator’s regular contacted duties.

b.Attendance at IEP meetings.

c.For which direct compensation is earned and/or for which payment is received for hours worked, duties performed. (Conference and meeting registration fees and mileage are not considered compensation)

d.For hours that occur during school time (7:45-3:30)

e.Any course whose fee, registration or enrollment charges are paid for by the district, whether the enrollment was requested by the district or volunteered by the teacher will not be considered a responsibility under the career ladder plan unless the teacher is unable to move laterally on the salary schedule (in the MA+15 column)

3.Activities that are unacceptable for use in a Career Ladder Plan.

a.Travel time is counted only one way (can not be counted at all if during school time.

b.Painting classrooms.

c.School beatification projects

d.Community activities that do no include students.

e.Community activities that do include students but are not directly and obviously related to instruction.

f.Taking tickets, time keeping, score keeping, attending school functions.

g.Attending board meetings.

h.Any activity for which the educator receives compensation regardless of the source of that compensation. (Conference and meeting registration fees and mileage are not considered compensation)

i.Any church affiliated activity.

j.MSHSAA Sports Clinics.

k. Administrative Supervision.

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l.CTA officers.

4.Previous selection and use of a responsibility does not exclude that responsibility from current or future selection with the exception of holding a master's degree.

5.It is the teacher’s responsibility to be aware of state guidelines, and the relationship of the evaluation process to the Career Ladder Program.

6.All hours must be logged. (You may count 8 clock hours per each college credit hour you receive.)

7.New teachers to the district may participate in the career ladder program if they were in the program at their previous school. They may not enter at a stage higher than the highest stage that current Linn County R-I teachers are participating in.

8.The career ladder supplement salary is to be paid to qualifying teachers in addition to their normal salary schedule payments. Normally the district portion will be paid in June, and the state portion after it is received.

9.Each plan should have 25% of the hours accrued in direct student-/parent contact activities.

10.No more than 1/3 of your hours may be classes, conferences and workshops.

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11.A teacher who desires to complete a career ladder plan that meets the requirements for a lower stage than specified in the plan approved by the career ladder committee, must request approval for the change. The request shall be submitted in typewritten form and include the justification for such a request. The career ladder committee will notify the teacher of the decision concerning the request. The teacher has the right to appeal to the School Board if denied by the Career Ladder Committee.

12.All responsibilities are to be related to education.

PERFORMANCE BASED TEACHER EVALUATION & CAREER LADDER

Overview of Performance Evaluation

Linn R-I uses a Performance Based Evaluation process. We have a Performance Based Teacher Evaluation (PBTE), a Performance Based Counselor Evaluation (PBCE), and a Performance Based Librarian Evaluation (PBLE). For the purpose of simplicity when a singular reference is made to PBTE it will mean PBTE, PBCE and PBLE, even though they are not mentioned.