SUMMARY: As passed by the House and Senate and signed by the Governor.

 Extends the deadline by which an educator currently working on a leadership degree must complete that degree program in order to be paid at the higher level if not employed in a leadership position.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Persons who have completed a leadership preparation program approved by the Professional Standards Commission prior to July 1, 2010 may receive compensation for that degree whether or not he/she is employed in a leadership position. 
• Persons who have not completed a leadership preparation program approved by the Professional Standards Commission but were enrolled in such a program on or before April 1, 2009 may receive compensation for that degree whether or not he/she is employed in a leadership position under the following circumstances::
  • the master's level leadership degree was earned prior to July 1, 2012;
  • the education specialist level leadership was earned prior to July 1, 2013; or
  • the doctoral level leadership degree was earned prior to July 1, 2014.
• For those not meeting the above deadlines, an educator's placement on the salary schedule shall not be based on a leadership degree unless the educator is employed in a leadership position as defined by the State Board of Education.

POINTS TO CONSIDER:  Grandfathers educators who had a leadership degree prior to July 1, 2010 or who were working on a leadership degree on or before April 1, 2009 as to placement on the state salary schedule. 

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2010