Establishing a New System of Career Progression for Public School Teachers

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Executive Order No. 500

Establishing a New System of Career Progression for Public School Teachers

- Statement of Policy (Sec. 1):
• Establishes a system of career progression and promotion for public school teachers that values classroom effectiveness.
• Allows teachers to choose between a career in School Administration or Classroom Teaching for advancement.
• Provides equivalence in duties, recognition, and compensation for both career lines.

- School Administration Career (Sec. 2):
• Teachers opting for this career will be classified within the School Administration Group upon promotion.
• Existing classes in this group are District Supervisor, Elementary Principal III, Elementary Principal II, and Elementary Principal I or Head Teacher.

- Classroom Teaching Career (Sec. 3):
• New classes in the Teaching Group are created: Master Teacher I, Master Teacher II, Master Teacher III, and Master Teacher IV.
• Teachers opting for this career will be classified within these new classes upon promotion.

- Equivalence in Classes (Sec. 4):
• The new Master Teacher classes are equivalent to existing School Administration classes as follows:
    - District Supervisor = Master Teacher IV
    - Elementary Principal III = Master Teacher III
    - Elementary Principal II = Master Teacher II
    - Elementary Principal I or Head Teacher = Master Teacher I

- Choice of Career Path (Sec. 5):
• Elementary grade teachers can be promoted to either Master Teacher I or Elementary Principal/Head Teacher, committing them to their chosen career path.
• No switching between career lines unless the individual possesses qualifications exceeding others being considered for the vacancy.
• Both District Supervisors and Master Teachers IV may be considered for promotion to the next higher position.

- Professional Administrators (Sec. 6):
• New Professional Teachers may be appointed to administrative positions in the School Administration Career line upon passing an examination.
• The examination will be administered jointly by the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Education and Culture.
• Current Head Teachers aspiring for promotion must also take the examination.

- Creation of Master Teacher Positions (Sec. 7):
• The National Government shall provide for the creation of Master Teacher positions.
• No less than 15,000 Master Teacher I positions shall be created beginning School Year 1979-80.
• An adequate number of higher Master Teacher positions shall be created beginning School Year 1980-81, subject to availability of funds.

- Rules and Regulations (Sec. 8):
• The Civil Service Commission, the Department of Education and Culture, and the Budget Commission shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for effective implementation.

- Effectivity (Sec. 9):
• This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.