W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-22
Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 43, October 25, 2024
Section 126-136-22 - Salary Classifications for Educators22.1. State Minimum Salary (W. Va. Code § 18A-4-2). The intent of advanced salary classifications is to recognize educators for completing college/university coursework which will contribute to the improvement of instruction or other services in the public schools. The legal basis for these regulations is W. Va. Code § 18A-4-1 and §18A-4-4.22.2. Advanced Salary Classification for Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certificates or equivalent. The following governing principles shall apply: the advanced salary classifications recognized by the WVDE are BA+15, MA, MA+15, MA+30, MA+45 and doctorate. These classifications are defined in section 4. 22.2.a. Coursework. All college/university coursework used for advanced salary purposes must be completed at an accredited IHE except that coursework completed for a CTE advanced salary classification recognized on the CTE Certificate must have been completed at a regionally accredited IHE. Equivalent certificates are defined in section 4.22.2.b. Graduate coursework completed after July 1, 1994, shall be related to the public school program, as defined in section 9.10.g, and as follows: any course offering included in a degree program in the field of education; content and/or professional education coursework related to the current licensure; content and/or professional education coursework required for an additional endorsement held; professional learning/special topics coursework approved by the WVDE; coursework identified in the personnel evaluation process; coursework related to technology for education; and/or coursework related to the mission and goals of the WVBE. Undergraduate level coursework for advanced salary purposes shall be related to the public school program, as defined in section 9.10.g.22.2.c. Duplicate credit shall not be accepted for advanced salary purposes.22.2.d. Master's Degree Salary Classification. An individual who holds a professional certificate or equivalent and also holds an MA based on fewer than 30 semester hours of credit may qualify for the MA+15, MA+30, MA+45 advanced salary classification by completing 15, 30, or 45 semester hours of college/university credit respectively, beyond the degree requirements. All college/university coursework hours verified as completed toward the MA must appear on the official college/university transcript, or the foreign credential evaluation.22.2.e. Permits and Salary Class. An individual employed on a permit in a specialization which requires completion of an MA program for the Initial Professional Student Support or Administrative Certificate or equivalent may be granted a BA+15 salary classification upon completion of 15 semester hours of coursework leading to the MA in the specialization for which the permit is issued. Other eligible permits and authorizations are granted the required degree recognition only. Advanced degree level recognition is not allowable on permits or authorizations under W. Va. Code § 18A-4-1. Equivalent certificates are treated as professional equivalents and therefore are allowable for advanced salary.22.2.e.1. Exception for Degree Recognition. An individual who holds a Juris Doctor (JD) or Education Specialist (Ed.S) advanced degree equivalent to a master's degree or above, which is not recognized by the WVBE, may be granted the degree level of MA without salary classification to satisfy the degree requirements for the purposes of obtaining a Professional Certificate requiring a master's degree.22.2.f. Undergraduate Hour Requirements. Fifteen semester hours of undergraduate level credit from a regionally accredited IHE may be utilized for an advanced salary classification if such hours are related to the public school program as defined in section 9.10.g. Undergraduate level coursework must be completed after the issuance of the specialization on the Professional Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certificate. Undergraduate level coursework must be earned on or after July 1, 1984, and after the issuance of the Initial Professional Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certificate, to be eligible for advanced salary classification.22.2.g. Effective Date. Upon appropriate application to the WVDE, the effective date of any advanced salary is limited to the date that all requirements were completed as verified on an official college/university transcript, but not exceeding three months prior to the date the application is received by the WVDE, as defined in section 9.10.22.2.h. Expired certification is ineligible for issuance of an advanced salary or advanced degree level. The certification must be valid for issuance of any advanced salary or advanced degree level.22.3. Salary Classification for the CTE Permit or Certificate. The basic salary for the holder of a CTE Permit shall be based on a CTE salary of BA, while the salary for the holder of a CTE Certificate may reflect a higher CTE salary level based on degrees earned and/or coursework completed. The CTE advanced salary classifications are recognized only on the CTE Certificate. Advanced salary classifications for the CTE Certificate may not exceed a classification of MA+45. The CTE advanced salary classifications for an educator whose CTE Certificate is not based on a degree include CTE BA+15, CTE MA, CTE MA+15, CTE MA+30, and CTE MA+45. These salary classifications are defined in section 4. 22.3.a. Additional CTE Salary Classification. A CTE educator who received an advanced salary classification under previous provisions shall qualify for additional salary classifications by completing 15 semester hours of additional college coursework through a regionally accredited IHE for each new salary classification.22.3.b. CTE Coursework Update. Six semester hours of college/university coursework in the teaching specialization update are required for each advanced salary classification for a CTE educator. A maximum of six semester hours of teaching specialization update coursework is acceptable for each advanced salary classification.22.3.c. Permanent CTE Certificate. An educator who holds a permanent CTE Certificate may qualify for the MA+30 CTE salary classification based on the awarding of a BA from a regionally accredited IHE. An educator who holds a permanent CTE Certificate may qualify for the MA+45 CTE salary classification based on the awarding of a BA+15 semester hours of graduate credit from a regionally accredited IHE or based on the awarding of a MA. A Licensed Practical Nurse holding a CTE Certificate may qualify for the MA+45 CTE salary classification based on the awarding of a BA from a regionally accredited IHE.22.3.d. Non-Degree CTE Coursework. An educator who is not pursuing a degree and who is requesting a CTE advanced salary classification must select semester hour coursework from a regionally accredited IHE as approved by the designated official at the WVDE Office of CTE. Approved semester hour coursework must be related to the public school program and may include occupational update credits approved by the WVDE.22.3.e. Recommendation. Receive the recommendation from the designated official at the WVDE.W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-22