Missouri Code of State Regulations
Title 5 - DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Division 20 - Division of Learning Services
Chapter 400 - Office of Educator Quality
Section 5 CSR 20-400.370 - Missouri Career Development and Teacher Excellence Plan
Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, March 15, 2024
PURPOSE: This amendment updates the guidelines for local district participation in the Career Ladder Program.
(1) For the purpose of this rule, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following terms shall mean:
(2) The department will provide school districts a model career ladder, guidelines and criteria for school district plans which meet the requirements established by statute and this rule.
(3) Each local school district desiring to participate in the Career Ladder Grant Program shall submit an application and District Career Ladder Plan (DCLP) to the department annually by April 30 of each year.
(4) Upon receipt of the school district's career ladder application, the department will review plans for eligibility to participate in the program. The department will evaluate the local district's career ladder plan to determine compliance with applicable statutes and standards and procedures established in the Criteria for Local District Career Ladder Plans (Appendix A).
(5) The department will notify school districts of necessary modifications, eligibility, or denial.
(6) Each approved district shall identify participating teachers through the October cycle of the Core Data/Missouri Student Information System (MOSIS) Collection System provided by the department.
(7) Upon receipt of the Core Data information, the department will review the list of participating teachers and calculate the state portion of the career ladder salary supplement.
(8) The department will schedule the appropriate reimbursement for Career Ladder Stages I, II, and III, payments to occur in June, in concert with the regular payment of foundation program funds, contingent upon appropriations.
(9) Eligible districts receiving career ladder salary supplements shall pay to each teacher an amount specified in the district application not to exceed the maximum amounts for Stages I, II, and III as provided by section 168.515(1), RSMo. If staffing/eligibility changes occur subsequent to the certification of the career ladder entitlement, which cause the district to receive more or fewer funds necessary to implement the provisions of section 168.515, RSMo, the department shall be notified of the changes, and the department will make an offsetting correction on the ensuing payment.
(10) Independent auditors retained by local districts will be responsible to examine district payroll records to determine if the proper career ladder supplemental pay has actually been paid to participating teachers as certified by the district to the department. Instances of noncompliance should be set forth in the audit report in the accountant's report on state and federal compliance.
APPENDIX A
Criteria for Local District Career Ladder Plans
REQUIRED ELEMENTS OF THE DISTRICT CAREER LADDER PLAN
The local district shall develop and submit to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (department) a District Career Ladder Plan (DCLP). This plan will provide the organizational basis for the district's career ladder. Development of a career ladder is voluntary for local school districts. When districts establish a career ladder plan, they also must accept the responsibility of raising the local portion of the funding. Teachers who meet the qualifications and responsibilities as established as specific criteria for Stage I, II, and III (section 168.500.2(3), RSMo) for the district career ladder shall have a reasonable expectation of participating on the career ladder.
* At Stage I, the teacher shall have two (2) years of Missouri teaching experience, complete the required beginning teacher assistance program, participate in two (2) years of mentoring (section 168.400.4, RSMo), and show evidence of acceptable performance on all of the criteria on the most recent final evaluation instrument.
* At Stage II, the teacher shall have three (3) years of Missouri teaching experience, and show evidence of acceptable performance on all of the criteria on the most recent final evaluation instrument.
* At Stage III, the teacher shall have five (5) years of Missouri teaching experience, and show evidence of acceptable performance on all of the criteria on the most recent final evaluation instrument;
* Participating in teacher externships as provided in section 168.025, RSMo;
* Serving as a coach, supervisor, or organizer of any extracurricular activities for which the teacher does not already receive additional compensation;
* Serving as a mentor or cooperating teacher for new teachers for which the teacher does not already receive additional compensation;
* Serving as a mentor for students, whether in a formal or informal capacity;
* Providing high quality tutoring or additional learning opportunities to students;
* Assisting students with postsecondary education preparation including, but not limited to, teaching an ACT or SAT preparation course or assisting students with completing college or career school admission or financial assistance applications;
* Receiving additional teacher training or certification outside of that offered by the school district; and
* Other (with description of how this responsibility or voluntary effort directly and obviously relates to the improvement of programs and services for students as outlined in the District School Improvement Plan, Curriculum Development Plan, Professional Development Plan, Missouri School Improvement Program, or instructional improvement).
Appeal procedures shall be implemented in a timely fashion. All decisions made with respect to a teacher's application to, and placement on, any stage of the career ladder shall be based on the qualifications for that stage as stated in the DCLP.
The department will periodically review local district plans and will collect information from local districts regarding the career ladder process. The local district will report data on its Career Ladder Grant Program to the department upon request. The local district must advise the department regarding amendments to the DCLP adopted by the local board of education following approval of the original DCLP by the department.
*Original authority: 168.500, RSMo 1985, amended 1986, 1993, 1996; 168.505, RSMo 1985, amended 1993; 168.510, RSMo 1985, amended 1996; and 168.515, RSMo 1985, amended 1993, 1996.