Common use of Professional Advancement Clause in Contracts

Professional Advancement. 6.2.8.1 Professional advancement as used within these provisions must directly relate and contribute to the competence, performance or effectiveness of the unit member in his/her current assignment and possible future needs of the District, with the District approval. Unit members who request professional advancement credit shall submit a completed application, from Appendix F, to the District administration which contains a description of activity, and its relationship to the teaching assignment, and acceptable documented evidence of successful completion of the professional advancement activity. Official grade cards may be accepted pending the receipt of official transcripts in order to meet deadlines. Official transcripts must be received no later than 6 months from receipt of the grade card. Should the request be denied by district administration, an ad hoc committee shall be formed to review the request. This committee shall consist of two district representatives, chosen by the district, two teachers, chosen by the union, and one mutually agreed upon person. The committees decision will become final. 6.2.8.2 All degrees and units, except as provided in 6.2.8.5, must be from institutions accredited by the American Association of Schools and Colleges or its regional affiliate. Courses submitted for credit must be completed after the granting of the Bachelor’s Degree. 6.2.8.3 All course work will be recorded in semester hours. Quarter units shall be converted to semester units by multiplying by two-thirds. All course work submitted for credit must carry a grade of “C” or better or of “Pass.” 6.2.8.4 Graduate or upper division units submitted for salary schedule credit must be in the unit member’s present field or in professional growth courses jointly agreed to by the unit member and the Superintendent or his/her designee. 6.2.8.5 Credit for lower division courses, education travel and organized institutes or workshops will be subject to recommendation by the District Superintendent or designee. Prior written approval is required in order to be granted credit, except in extenuating circumstances. The Superintendent must approve for credit to be applicable. Credit for lower division courses, educational travel and organized institutes or workshops must meet the criteria of 6. 2.8.1 above and shall be limited to six (6) semester units in each column advancement, unless approved by the Superintendent based upon the need of the District. Credit for non-unit bearing organized institutes and workshops will be on the basis of one semester unit for each 15 hours or program involvement. A non-unit bearing organized institute or workshop for which a semester unit may be earned, must meet the following criteria: 6.2.8.5.1 Affiliation with an education institution. 6.2.8.5.2 Directly relating to the unit member’s current assignment. 6.2.8.6 If a fee is charged for any organized institution and or workshop, and the unit member wants to receive a semester unit in accordance with the terms, conditions and criteria set forth above, the unit member must pay the fee. If the District pays any such fee, the unit member shall not be eligible for a semester unit of credit on the salary schedule. College course credit to be applied to the salary schedule shall also require that the unit member bear any cost of such course in addition to any other requirements set forth in these provisions for application to the salary schedule.