Career Ladder Program – Henrico County Public Schools

The HCPS Career Ladder Program — a first of its kind for Virginia schools — was created for and with teachers and other eligible employees, including a teacher advisory committee representing a wide range of experiences at schools across the school division. The Career Ladder offers personalized professional learning, opportunities to earn microcredentials and specializations, and the chance for teachers to advance professionally without leaving the classroom.

As funding permits, the program also affords staff the ability to move up the salary scale a maximum of three times (in 4.8% increments) based on identified qualifications and professional learning activities.

How do staff members advance on the salary scale using the Career Ladder?

Staff members advance on the salary scale via the Career Ladder by attaining:

An HCPS professional learning specialization.
A doctoral degree or other designated career or trade certification.

As the Career Ladder continues to expand, the HCPS Department of Professional Learning and Leadership will continue to work with teachers and staff members representing schools and departments to ensure that future offerings are meaningful and relevant. Current HCPS employees can find information about the career ladder by logging into HCPS U.

Eligible employee groups explained

Advancements explained

Advanced degree certifications explained

Microcredentials explained

Specializations explained

FAQ

Click the headings below to expand categories:

Overview and eligibility
What staff groups are eligible to participate in the Career Ladder program?

Currently, full-time staff members in the following job classifications are eligible to participate in various components of the Career Ladder program:
- Classroom teachers (Pre-K-12).
- Librarians.
- Instructional coaches.
- School-based reading and math specialists.
- Coordinators of assessment and remediation (CARs).
- Behavior analysts.
- School nurses.
- Occupational therapists.
- Physical therapists.
- Psychologists.
- Social workers.
- School counselors.
- Speech pathologists/audiologists.
Are temporary staff members eligible to participate in the Career Ladder program?

No, only the above-identified full-time and part-time staff groups are eligible to participate in the Career Ladder program.

Are staff members in grades 32 and above eligible to participate in the Career Ladder program?

Staff members in grades 32 and above are not eligible to participate in the Career Ladder program.

Will additional staff groups be eligible to participate in the Career Ladder program in the future?

Yes, there are plans to add additional staff groups to the Career Ladder structure.

Will staff members have opportunities to provide input about the Career Ladder?

The development of the Career Ladder included a teacher advisory committee representing a wide range of teaching experience and each of Henrico County’s magisterial districts. As the Career Ladder continues to expand, the HCPS Department of Professional Learning and Leadership will continue to work with teachers and staff members representing departments across the division.

How do staff members advance on the salary scale via the Career Ladder?

Staff members advance on the salary scale via the Career Ladder by attaining an HCPS professional learning specialization, a doctoral degree or other designated career or trade certification.

Will funding exist in 2022-23 for staff advancement on the salary scale via the Career Ladder?

The FY 2022-23 fiscal year budget includes funds for advancements on the Career Ladder.

Specializations

What is a professional learning specialization?

A professional learning specialization builds on an employee’s existing HCPS work to expand knowledge and skills in a particular area. Participants will take part in a combination of in-person or virtual meetings that occur outside contractual hours, similar to a master’s class, and include practical application of new knowledge and skills. Specializations are two full semesters in length with a time commitment of approximately three hours per week.

Are there specializations for all employee groups?

The first two specializations are specifically designed for teachers and both have an instructional focus. Future specializations will be added to include other employee groups.

What is required to participate in a specialization?

Eligibility to participate in a specialization requires five years’ teaching experience and the attainment of three microcredentials.

What are some specific examples of planned professional learning specialization pathways?

The first two specializations available to staff will be “Teaching and Learning and Diverse Learners.” Future specializations may include “Culturally Responsive Classrooms,” “Adult Learning,” “New Teacher Mentoring,” “Coaching” and those with a content specific focus. Staff members will have an opportunity to recommend future microcredentials and specialization pathways that support student achievement and staff professional growth.

Microcredentials

What is a microcredential?

A microcredential is a competency-based course or experience that provides 20 or more hours of targeted learning on a specific topic or learning series. HCPS microcredentials are staff-created and staff-facilitated, and provide flexible learning options. Examples include: Aspiring Leader Academy, Orton Gillingham, Mentor Academy, Coaching Academy and CREM 1-4. A complete list of approved microcredentials is available at HCPS U, the school division’s online platform for professional learning.

Is there compensation for earning a microcredential?

There is no compensation for earning a microcredential.

How can I find out what microcredentials apply toward specializations?

An approved list of microcredentials that apply toward specializations will be included on the Career Ladder section of HCPS U.

When can I begin the process of earning a microcredential?

The 2022-23 school year was the official launch of specific opportunities to earn HCPS microcredentials.

I already have a microcredential. Would that count toward a specialization?

Identified and approved microcredentials earned before the launch of the Career Ladder will be considered for entry into a specialization.

Can microcredentials earned outside of HCPS apply toward a HCPS specialization?

Microcredentials created by the Virginia Department of Education and by educational organizations that meet HCPS criteria will be reviewed for adoption as HCPS specializations.

How recent must a microcredential be to qualify toward a specialization?

Currently, there are no expiration dates for identified microcredentials. As additional microcredentials are added, each will be reviewed independently to determine if a completion date range is needed.

Advanced degrees and certifications
Are master’s degrees part of the Career Ladder program?

No. Eligible employees are compensated for master’s degrees outside of the Career Ladder program.

Other than a doctoral degree, what specific certifications are eligible for salary advancement?

The following certifications are eligible for salary advancement:
- ASE Master Technician: Auto Tech; or Collision Repair and Refinish; or Diesel Technologies
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Certified Pediatric Nurse
- Certified Welder Educator
- Graphic Communications: Certification – Adobe
- Graphic Communications: Print
- HVAC: R-410A Certification; EPA Certification Type I, II and III; or HVAC Excellence Certification
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker or National Board Certification for School Social Workers
- National Board Certification for Occupational Therapy
- National Board-Certified Teacher
- National Board for Certification of School Nursing
- Nationally Certified School Psychologist
- Paramedic with Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Certification
- Physical Therapy Specialist Certification in Pediatrics
- Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation: Master Electrician
Will other certifications be considered?

HCPS may revisit additional certifications in the future as the Career Ladder initiative expands.

Does the certification need to be related to my current role to be eligible for salary advancement?

Certifications must be related to your current job position to be eligible for salary advancement.

Does my certification have to be current to receive compensation?

Certifications must be current at the time of submission in order to be compensated via the Career Ladder.

How do I submit my degree and/or certification information for salary advancement consideration?

Information should be submitted through the Degree/Certification Portal.

What documents must be submitted to verify possession of a doctoral degree?

Unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral or a copy of a valid teaching license reflecting the doctoral degree must be submitted to verify possession of a doctoral degree.

What documents must be submitted to verify possession of a certification?

A copy of the current/valid certification must be submitted.

I have two doctoral degrees. Will I be compensated for both degrees?

Staff members will be compensated for only one doctoral degree via the Career Ladder.

When will HCPS begin to grant salary adjustments associated with a doctoral degree or a certification?

HCPS began granting salary adjustments in fall 2022.

I earned my doctoral prior to 2022-23. Will I be retroactively compensated from the date I earned the degree?

Compensation will not be retroactive.

Will I continue to receive the increased compensation if I do not renew/maintain my certification(s)?

Yes. Once awarded compensation on the Career Ladder, the compensation is not withdrawn if a certification is not maintained. Job-based requirements are not compensated.

Is there a deadline to submit evidence of a doctoral degree or certification?

These items may be submitted at any time. Compensation will be adjusted within 60 days of verification.

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