File:  GCT - Exchange Teaching

The Board of Education believes that exchange teaching, when implemented with appropriate precautions, can afford an effective opportunity for professional growth.  The intent of this policy is to provide a short term professional growth opportunity (up to one semester related to a cultural exchange with up to (20) days of the leave being compensated).  Individuals interested in a cultural exchange beyond one semester should access District policy, GCCAG, Instructional/Administrative Staff Extended Leaves

When spending a period of time in another significantly different system, it is possible to acquire new perceptions, experiences, and skills that will allow the teacher to function more effectively in the Summit School District.  The cultural experiences that can be acquired through exchange teaching are valuable experiences that can give a teacher a broader and more in-depth perception of the world and of teaching.

REGULATIONS:

1.  A staff member of Summit School District should initiate the exchange teaching request by submitting a formal letter of application to the Summit School District Human Resource's Office.  The letter of application should include the exact dates of the leave along with a copy of the official acceptance to the program.  Additionally, the letter of application should include a rationale for the request including the following:

   The specific goals and objectives to be accomplished during the experience.

  A connection to his/her current employment and how it will benefit the professional growth of the staff member

  How the request will enhance job responsibilities.

  How the experience will be shared with colleagues.

  How the experience will benefit the Summit School District.

NOTE: The deadline for making application to the Human Resource's Office will be 90 days prior to the date of the requested exchange with a maximum of 1 exchange will be approved per semester.

2.    The exchange teaching program is restricted to teachers who will have non-probationary status during the time of their leave.

3.    A professional leave related to a cultural exchange is intended to enrich the professional experience of the person requesting the exchange and directly enhance their position within the district.  Therefore, participants in a short term exchange are expected to share knowledge and experience gained through the exchange with appropriate district staff following the exchange.  Additionally, up to 20 days of the leave may be approved to be compensated based on participation in an officially recognized national exchange program (i.e. Fulbright).

  Upon professional leave being approved, the participant is expected to use all of his/her personal and professional leave time for the calendar year in which the leave is scheduled.  Upon approval of professional leave to participate in a cultural exchange program, the remainder of the time (up to twenty days) will be processed as "District Professional Leave" and will be compensated at his/her daily rate of pay.

  Should the teacher receive compensation for his/her participation in the program, they will not be eligible to be compensated by Summit School District.

  Lane advancement credit (earning a bundle of 12 semester hours) will not be granted for such a leave as the district is assuming the replacement cost during the leave.

4.  If the short term exchange program involves a teacher coming to Summit School District, the receiving principal should have an opportunity to interview the applicant who would be coming to Summit School District prior to giving final approval.  The interview ideally would take place in person, but if that is not possible, the interview could be conducted by telephone or by sending a set of questions to the exchange teacher and having him/her respond to them on audio or video tape.

5.  The Board of Education will make the final decision on exchange teaching requests.  The Board's decision will be based upon the request of the teacher and the recommendation of the school administration.

6.  Approval for exchange teaching should not be approved before the Summit School District is assured of having a fully qualified and capable teacher to fill the vacancy or as part of the exchange program.

7.  Conditions affecting salary payments and positions on the Summit School District salary schedule shall be as follows:  (a) salary increments and also retirement and other benefits shall continue during participation in the program; (b) Summit School district on exchange service in foreign countries shall receive their regular salary payments from the Summit School District unless paid directly by the school system of the country in which they teach; and (c) exchange teacher salary includes no extra compensation for position, such as department head, and no activity payments such as may normally be received at Summit School District for those services.

8.  The administration and the Board of Education are cautioned not to allow a large number of exchanges in any one school year if these exchanges might have a negative impact and/or cause disruption to the Summit School District.

Adopted:  August 20, 2008