703 KAR 5:170. Kentucky Highly Skilled Educator Program criteria.

      RELATES TO: KRS 158.782, 158.6455

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 156.070, 158.782

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 158.782 requires the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations to set forth the criteria for the Kentucky Highly Skilled Educators Program. This administrative regulation establishes the criteria for the program.

      Section 1. The Commissioner of Education shall establish a process for the application, review, and selection of the state's most outstanding and highly skilled certified educators to be designated as Kentucky highly skilled educators and fulfill the purposes and requirements of the program in accordance with KRS 158.782(1), (2).

      Section 2. The Commissioner of Education shall appoint an advisory committee to assist the Department of Education in the review of candidates and selection of the state's most outstanding highly skilled certified educators to be designated as Kentucky highly skilled educators. The advisory committee shall include but not be limited to representation from teachers, school administrators, business, parents, community, higher education, professional education associations, school boards, and the Department of Education.

      Section 3. The Application and Selection Process. (1) The application process shall be open to certified educators who meet the program criteria and are willing to fulfill the purposes and requirements of the program.

      (2) The application and selection process shall allow for self-nomination and provide for a broad spectrum of instructional positions that include statewide representation.

      (3) The Department of Education shall publicize the program criteria and procedures and make educators aware of the opportunity to apply to the Kentucky Highly Skilled Educators Program.

      (4) Applications for participation in the Kentucky Highly Skilled Educators Program shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Education.

      (5) The Commissioner of Education shall complete the identification and designation of Kentucky highly skilled educators by April of each year.

      Section 4. (1) Candidates for the Kentucky Highly Skilled Educators Program shall have the following experience and certification:

      (a) A minimum of five (5) years of successful experience as a teacher or as an educational administrator;

      (b) A Kentucky certification as an educator; and

      (c) Involvement in teaching or administration within the last three (3) years.

      (2) Certified practicing and nonpracticing educators shall be eligible to participate in the Kentucky Highly Skilled Educators Program.

      (3) Educators designated as Kentucky highly skilled educators shall have demonstrated leadership and management knowledge and skills or demonstrated the capacity to acquire knowledge and skills in the following areas:

      (a) Personnel practices, policies, statutes, administrative regulations, and due process;

      (b) Written and oral communications;

      (c) Budget management and planning;

      (d) Organization and planning;

      (e) Data analysis and problem solving;

      (f) Collaboration and team building;

      (g) Working productively with colleagues and culturally diverse populations; and

      (h) Initiating, supporting, and sustaining innovations.

      (4) Educators designated as Kentucky highly skilled educators shall have demonstrated curriculum and instructional knowledge and skills or demonstrated the capacity to acquire knowledge and skills in the following areas:

      (a) Current educational practices;

      (b) Curriculum development and alignment focused on the Kentucky curriculum;

      (c) Multiple instructional methodologies; and

      (d) Instructional technology.

      (5) Candidates must be recognized as having the following personal characteristics:

      (a) Integrity;

      (b) Personally committed to the welfare of all children;

      (c) Flexibility;

      (d) Strong sense of purpose and goal orientation;

      (e) Sense of humor; and

      (f) Sound judgment.

      Section 5. The salary for participation in the highly skilled educator program shall be 135 percent of the local educator's total district salary but shall not be more than the average principal salary in the school district with the highest average principal salary. However, an educator who continues in the program beyond the first year shall be eligible for any salary increases the educator would have received as a certified employee in the school district in which the educator was employed when the educator entered the program. (18 Ky.R. 2757; eff. 5-1-92; recodified from 704 KAR 3:007, 9-29-92; recodified from 703 KAR 4:030, 1-10-2007; 34 Ky.R. 1203; eff. 4-4-2008.)