(a) The annual salaries of employees paid under this section and who are employed on a 10-month contract, shall be based on the following indexed schedule:
In addition to the indices specified in the schedule contained in this subsection, the following shall apply to certain individuals paid in accordance with this schedule who were employed by a school board in Delaware on June 30, 1994:
(1) An employee with no degree who was paid in accordance with the 8-year step for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994, shall be paid at an index of 1.227 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, at an index of 1.264 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1996, at an index of 1.300 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, at an index rate of 1.2926 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, and at an index rate of 1.3219 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, and for subsequent fiscal years.
(2) An employee with no degree who was paid in accordance with the 9-year step for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994, shall be paid at an index of 1.264 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, at an index of 1.300 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, at an index rate of 1.2926 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, and at an index rate of 1.3219 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, and for subsequent fiscal years.
(3) An employee with no degree who was paid in accordance with the 10-year step for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994, shall be paid at an index of 1.264 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, at an index of 1.300 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, at an index rate of 1.2926 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, and at an index rate of 1.3219 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, and for subsequent fiscal years.
(4) An employee with a Bachelor’s Degree who was paid in accordance with the 8-year step for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994, shall be paid at an index of 1.264 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, at an index of 1.300 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1996, at an index of 1.336 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, at an index of 1.3277 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, and at an index of 1.3574 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, and for subsequent fiscal years.
(5) An employee with a Bachelor’s Degree who was paid in accordance with the 9-year step for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994, shall be paid at an index of 1.300 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, at an index of 1.336 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, at an index rate of 1.3277 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, and at an index rate of 1.3574 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, and for subsequent fiscal years.
(6) An employee with a Bachelor’s Degree who was paid in accordance with the 10-year step for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994, shall be paid at an index of 1.300 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, at an index of 1.336 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, at an index rate of 1.3277 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, and at an index rate of 1.3574 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, and for subsequent fiscal years.
(7) An employee with a Bachelor’s Degree plus 15 credits who was paid in accordance with the 10-year step for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994, shall be paid at an index of 1.373 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, at an index of 1.409 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, at an index rate of 1.3989 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, and at an index rate of 1.4263 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, and for subsequent fiscal years.
(8) An employee with a Bachelor’s Degree plus 15 credits who was paid in accordance with the 11-year step for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994, shall be paid at an index of 1.373 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, at an index of 1.409 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, at an index of 1.3989 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, and at an index rate of 1.4263 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, and for subsequent fiscal years.
(b) The base salary amount for this section, from the first day of the first full pay cycle of the fiscal year, through the last day of the pay cycle that contains the last day of the fiscal year, shall be $36,760. The Bachelor’s Degree, 0-year experience point on the index is defined as the base and has an index value of 1.000. This amount is intended to be the equivalent of 70 percent of a recommended average total competitive starting salary. All other salary amounts shall be determined by multiplying the base salary amount by the index value that corresponds with the appropriate training and experience cell, and then rounding to the nearest whole dollar.
(c) The index values assigned in subsection (a) of this section are intended to be constant. Future modification to this index should be linked to specifically stated policy goals.
(d) All persons who are employed for more than 10 months per year and are paid in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall receive one tenth of the amount computed in subsection (b) of this section in salary for each additional month of employment each year.
(e) Beginning in Fiscal Year 2011 and each succeeding fiscal year, salary derived from subsections (a) and (b) of this section for 10 months’ employment shall mean a total of 188 full work days to be utilized as follows:
(1) 180 days or equivalent hours devoted to actual school sessions for pupils;
(2) 2 days devoted to start-up/closing; and
(3) 6 days devoted solely to professional development.
(f) Beginning in fiscal year 2001, salary derived from subsections (a) and (b) of this section for 10 months’ employment shall mean a total of 187 full workdays to be utilized as follows:
(1) 180 days devoted to actual school sessions for pupils;
(2) 2 days devoted to start-up/closing;
(3) 5 days devoted solely to professional development.
(g) Beginning in fiscal year 2002 and each succeeding fiscal year, salary derived from subsections (a) and (b) of this section for 10 months’ employment shall mean a total of 188 full workdays to be utilized as follows:
(1) 180 days devoted to actual school sessions for pupils;
(2) 2 days devoted to start-up/closing;
(3) 6 days devoted solely to professional development.
(h) The Department of Education with the approval of the State Board of Education may reduce the number of hours devoted to actual school sessions for pupils and/or educators for just cause or upon showing unusual circumstances.
(i) A full workday shall be defined by the Department of Education with the approval of the State Board of Education.
(j) Beginning in fiscal year 2001, local school districts shall provide a local salary supplement for each full workday in excess of 185 workdays. This supplement must be equal to or greater than the per diem local salary supplement in effect during fiscal year 2000 for each grade and step. To the extent that a local school district is unable to provide a local salary supplement, it may make application under subsection (h) of this section.
(k) In addition to the base salary derived from subsections (a) and (b) of this section, an employee paid in accordance with this section is eligible to earn additional salary supplements for gaining skills and knowledge that lead to more effective instruction. The Professional Standards Board, with approval of the State Board of Education, shall designate through regulation the specific professional development activities and specific areas of skills and knowledge that an employee can undertake and/or obtain in order to receive a skills and knowledge salary supplement. The supplement must be in the form of an additional salary amount spread evenly across an employee’s contract period similar to base salary or be paid as a single payment. The supplement must be no less than 2% of the base salary derived from subsections (a) and (b) of this section and no more than 6% of this base salary, except as provided for in subsection (m) of this section. The Professional Standards Board, with approval of the State Board of Education, shall designate the specific percentage for each specific skills and knowledge supplement through regulations promulgated to implement the provisions of this section. The percentage must be uniform across the State. Also, the Professional Standards Board shall, with approval of the State Board of Education, designate which of the supplements, if any, shall be permanent and which of the supplements, if any, shall require renewal or requalification on a periodic basis. The provisions of this subsection shall become effective in fiscal year 2001. The supplements described in this subsection are subject to an annual appropriation. The Department of Education shall provide for funding the supplement provisions of this subsection in its annual budget.
(l) In addition to the base salary derived from subsections (a) and (b) of this section, an employee who has achieved certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or from an equivalent program approved by the State Board shall receive a salary supplement equal to 12% of the base salary so derived. An employee shall receive a salary supplement equal to 6% of base salary so derived for receiving any of the following national certifications:
(1) Certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)—speech pathologists and audiologists.
(2) Nationally-certified school counselor from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
(3) Music therapist—Board-certified from the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT).
(4) Nationally-certified school psychologist from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
(5) Nationally-certified school nurse from the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN).
(6) Occupational therapist advanced certification from the American Occupational Therapy Association or the Occupational Therapist Registered from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
(7) School-based physical therapists who have passed the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) as administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
The Professional Standards Board, with the approval of the State Board of Education, may authorize stipends pursuant to this subsection in fiscal year 2000. The supplement shall be in the form of an additional salary amount spread evenly across an employee’s contract period similar to base salary. Funding for National Board certification described in this subsection is subject to an annual appropriation. The Department of Education shall provide for funding the supplement provisions of this subsection in its annual budget.
For those employees who have achieved certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and who serve as teacher or lead mentors, the mentor stipend payment for such service will be excluded from the 15% salary supplement limit established in subsection (o) of this section.
(m) An employee paid in accordance with this section may earn multiple salary supplements pursuant to subsections (l) and (m) of this section. The supplements must be computed as a percentage of the base salary derived from subsections (a) and (b) of this section; the percentages may not to be computed on a salary that includes a previously earned supplement amount.
(n) In addition to the base salary derived from subsections (a) and (b) of this section and any supplements provided pursuant to subsections (l) and (m) of this section, an employee paid in accordance with this section is eligible to earn additional salary supplements for accepting additional responsibility assignments that impact student achievement. The Professional Standards Board has the authority to review and make recommendations regarding additional responsibility supplements for administrators. The Professional Standards Board, with the approval of the State Board of Education, shall designate through regulation the specific assignments that an employee may accept in order to receive a state-funded salary supplement. The supplement must be in the form of an additional salary amount spread evenly across an employee’s contract period similar to base salary or be paid as a single payment. The supplement must be no less than $750 and no more than $5,000. In addition to the state-specified assignments designated by the Professional Standards Board and State Board pursuant to Chapter 12 of this title, a local school district, with the approval of the Standards Board and the State Board, and through regulatory action of the local board, may designate specific academic assignments that an employee may accept in order to receive a state-funded salary supplement. An assignment designated pursuant to this subsection must be academic in nature and may not include extracurricular activities or noninstructional supervisory responsibilities. The state-funded salary supplements described in this subsection are subject to an annual appropriation. The Department of Education shall provide for funding the supplement provisions of this subsection in its annual budget.
(o) To ensure that the professional development activities designated for remuneration in subsections (l), (m) and (o) of this section are of high quality and will lead to improvements in teacher effectiveness and improvements in student achievement, the Professional Standards Board, with the approval of the State Board of Education, shall identify activities that will permit an educator to be eligible for both skills and knowledge supplements and additional responsibility supplements. Salary supplements defined in this act must not exceed 15% of the State share for an employee covered by the provisions of this act. The Standards Board shall annually review these supplements and promulgate and adopt recommendations pursuant to § 1203 of this title as necessary.
(p) Beginning with fiscal year 2005, movement into the Bachelors Plus 15 and Bachelors Plus 30 columns on the salary schedule contained in subsection (a) of this section shall be approved only if the credits earned are matriculated graduate credits earned toward a Master’s Degree. Beginning with fiscal year 2004, movement into the Masters Plus 15, Masters Plus 30 and Masters Plus 45 columns on the salary schedule contained in subsection (a) of this section shall be approved if:
(1) The credits earned through a graduate-level course of study are clearly related to the individual’s professional responsibilities and otherwise approved pursuant to Chapter 12 of this title;
(2) The credits are towards a second Master’s Degree; or
(3) If the credits earned are matriculated graduate credits earned towards a Doctorate Degree.
No employee shall be moved leftward on the salary schedule contained in subsection (a) of this section due to the provisions contained in this subsection. Furthermore, any employee entitled to rightward movement on the salary scale on the basis of in-service or undergraduate credits approved prior to the beginning of Fiscal Year 2005 shall continue to be entitled to such movement in the event of any future application for placement submitted after the beginning of Fiscal Year 2005.
(q) For purposes of the state educator program, a retired educator engaged in mentoring activities shall be entitled to the same stipends as otherwise provided for nonretired educator mentors. Such retired educators shall be considered a casual employee under § 5502(a)(3) of Title 29 for purposes of pensions.
(r) A school-based speech-language pathologist who has achieved and holds a current certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology issued by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and who holds a current state license to practice from the Delaware Board of Speech Pathologists, Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers, shall receive a base salary level of Masters Plus 30 credits. A school-based speech-language pathologist who has completed additional course work separate from the speech-language pathologist’s master’s degree may apply for rightward movement on the indexed schedule under subsection (a) of this section. A school-based speech-language pathologist who, as of September 28, 2018, has a master’s degree, a current state license to practice, and has worked full-time as a speech-language pathologist for 20 or more years but who does not have a certificate of clinical competence, shall receive a base salary level of Masters Degree Plus 30 Grad. Credits and may apply for rightward movement on the indexed schedule under subsection (a) of this section.
(s) A school-based audiologist who holds a current certificate of clinical competence in audiology issued by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, a current state license to practice from the Delaware Board of Speech Pathologists, Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers, but who does not hold a doctorate of audiology shall receive the higher of either a base salary level of Masters Plus 30 credits or the audiologist’s current pay grade. A school-based audiologist who holds a current certificate of clinical competence in audiology issued by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, a current state license to practice from the Delaware Board of Speech Pathologists, Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers, and who holds a doctorate of audiology shall receive a base salary level of doctor’s degree. A school-based audiologist who has completed additional course work separate from the audiologist’s master’s degree may apply for rightward movement on the indexed scale under subsection (a) of this section. A school-based audiologist who, as of September 28, 2018, has a master’s degree, a current state license to practice, and has worked full-time as an audiologist for 20 or more years but who does not have a certificate of clinical competence, shall receive a base salary level of Masters Degree Plus 30 Grad. Credits and may apply for rightward movement on the indexed scale under subsection (a) of this section.
(t) A school-based physical therapist who has achieved a passing score on the national physical therapy examination issued by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy and who holds a current state license to practice from the Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers and holds a master’s degree in physical therapy but does not hold a doctorate of physical therapy shall receive the higher of either a base salary level of Masters Plus 30 credits or the physical therapist’s current pay grade. A school-based physical therapist who has achieved a passing score on the national physical therapy examination issued by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy and who holds a current state license to practice from the Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers, and who holds a doctorate of physical therapy shall receive a base salary level of doctor’s degree. A school-based physical therapist who has completed additional course work separate from the physical therapy master’s degree may apply for rightward movement on the indexed scale under subsection (a) of this section.
(u)Graduate degrees. —
(1) Any employees paid under this section who earned a master’s degree or doctoral degree from an accredited institution of higher education prior to their initial date of hire as an educator must receive credit for that degree under the schedule in subsection (a) of this section regardless of the subject matter of the degree. This paragraph applies to educators hired after August 12, 2024.
(2) To receive credit for a master’s or doctoral degree under the schedule in subsection (a) of this section, such a degree earned after the employee’s initial date of hire as an educator must be directly related to an area or specialty in which the educator is employed.
(3) The Secretary of Education, or the Secretary’s designee, has authority to review and approve requests to recognize any master’s or doctoral degree for purposes of this section on an individual basis at the request of the local school district or charter school. Such review is in the sole discretion of the Secretary.
46 Del. Laws, c. 48, § 1 ; 47 Del. Laws, c. 195, § 1 ; 48 Del. Laws, Sp. Sess., c. 489,, § 1 ; 14 Del. C. 1953, § 1305; 50 Del. Laws, c. 261, § 1 ; 50 Del. Laws, c. 602, § 1 ; 51 Del. Laws, c. 57, § 3 ; 52 Del. Laws, c. 344, § 3 ; 53 Del. Laws, c. 123 ; 54 Del. Laws, c. 43, § 3 ; 55 Del. Laws, c. 409, § 1 ; 56 Del. Laws, c. 143, § 1 ; 56 Del. Laws, c. 470, § 1 ; 57 Del. Laws, c. 333, § 1 ; 59 Del. Laws, c. 34 ; 60 Del. Laws, c. 31, § 1 ; 61 Del. Laws, c. 407, § 2 ; 61 Del. Laws, c. 409, § 105(a) ; 62 Del. Laws, c. 68, §§ 42(e), 106 ; 62 Del. Laws, c. 277, § 11(f) ; 63 Del. Laws, c. 80, § 11(f) ; 63 Del. Laws, c. 322, § 11(f), (g) ; 64 Del. Laws, c. 90, § 11(d)(ii) ; 64 Del. Laws, c. 220, § 6(a) ; 64 Del. Laws, c. 334, § 11(j)(1) ; 65 Del. Laws, c. 87, § 11(k)(1) ; 65 Del. Laws, c. 230, § 3 ; 65 Del. Laws, c. 348, § 12(r)(1) ; 66 Del. Laws, c. 85, § 12(p)(1) ; 66 Del. Laws, c. 303, § 12(m)(1) ; 67 Del. Laws, c. 47, § 12(o)(1) ; 67 Del. Laws, c. 281, § 8(o)(1) ; 68 Del. Laws, c. 290, § 8(m)(1) ; 69 Del. Laws, c. 64, § 8(m)(1) ; 69 Del. Laws, c. 291, § 8(i)(1), (2) ; 70 Del. Laws, c. 118, § 8(i)(1) ; 70 Del. Laws, c. 425, § 8(i)(1) ; 71 Del. Laws, c. 132, § 8(m)(1) ; 71 Del. Laws, c. 180, § 64 ; 71 Del. Laws, c. 354, § 8(n)(1) ; 72 Del. Laws, c. 94, § 8(n)(1), (2) ; 72 Del. Laws, c. 294, §§ 27, 28, 30 ; 72 Del. Laws, c. 395, § 8(n)(1) ; 73 Del. Laws, c. 74, §§ 8(n)(1), 344, 345 ; 73 Del. Laws, c. 312, §§ 8(m)(1), 257 ; 73 Del. Laws, c. 317, §§ 1-3 ; 74 Del. Laws, c. 68, §§ 265, 266, 268 ; 74 Del. Laws, c. 307, § 8(m)(1), (2), 304, 308(a) ; 75 Del. Laws, c. 89, § 8(m)(1), (2), 337, 340, 341 ; 75 Del. Laws, c. 208, § 1 ; 75 Del. Laws, c. 350, § 8(m)(1) ; 76 Del. Laws, c. 80, § 8(m)(1) ; 77 Del. Laws, c. 84, § 8(m)(1) ; 77 Del. Laws, c. 86, § 26 ; 77 Del. Laws, c. 327, §§ 8(m)(1), 318(a)-(c) ; 78 Del. Laws, c. 78, § 8(m)(1), (6), (12), (13) ; 78 Del. Laws, c. 290, § 8(m)(5)(i), (ii) ; 79 Del. Laws, c. 78, § 8(m)(5)(i), (ii) ; 79 Del. Laws, c. 290, § 8(m)(5)(i), (ii), (6)(i), (ii) ; 80 Del. Laws, c. 79, § 8(m)(5)(i), (ii), (7) ; 80 Del. Laws, c. 298, § 8(m)(5)(i) ; 81 Del. Laws, c. 58, § 8(m)(5)(i) ; 81 Del. Laws, c. 280, § 8(m)(6)(i), (ii) ; 81 Del. Laws, c. 444, § 1 ; 82 Del. Laws, c. 64, § 8(m)(6)(i) ; 82 Del. Laws, c. 85, § 41 ; 83 Del. Laws, c. 54, § 8(m)(6)(i) ; 83 Del. Laws, c. 325, § 8(m)(6)(i), (ii) ; 83 Del. Laws, c. 462, § 1 ; 83 Del. Laws, c. 510, § 1 ; 84 Del. Laws, c. 81, § 8(m)(6)(i) ; 84 Del. Laws, c. 136, § 1 ; 84 Del. Laws, c. 295, § 8(m)(6)(i) ; 84 Del. Laws, c. 364 ; 85 Del. Laws, c. 62, § 8(m)(6)(i), (ii), 306 ; 85 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 4