Click here to view Salary Scales.

External candidates, and current SDP employees who are not teachers: 

1. 1. Submit an application for teacher/counselor eligibility. Click here to Submit
   2. If you are eligible, you will be notified via email by an Instructional Recruiter.
   3. Once you are made eligible, you will be able to apply to schools directly in your respective subject area via Taleo.

Need Help? View our Application Guide.

Current District Employees

Current SDP employees looking to transition to a teacher or counselor role can access the Teacher and/or Counselor application for eligibility via Taleo, which is accessible through the Employee Portal.

Need Help? View our Application Guide for Internal Employees.

Individuals seeking to become a teacher/counselor in our District will participate in Site Selection to secure their school placement.

• In order to participate in Site Selection, you must be designated “eligible” by our Instructional Recruitment team.
• If you are eligible, you will be notified via email by an Instructional Recruiter.
• Once eligible, you will be able to apply to schools directly in your respective subject area via Taleo.

How to Participate

• Current teachers/counselors participate in Site Selection based on the guidelines outlined in the PFT contract.
• Teachers/Counselors who have two or more years of location seniority can voluntarily participate in Site Selection.
• Teachers/Counselors on “special assignment” – Request for Retention
  • Teachers/counselors on “special assignment” who wish to remain at their school in their role for the upcoming academic year may request to be retained. In order for a retention request to be considered valid, it must be signed by both the employee and principal, and the principal must submit the retention request to their Talent Partner the day before Site Selection opens for their school. Request for Retention form linked here!
  • Teachers/counselors on “special assignment” who are not retained will participate in Site Selection as a forced transfer.
• Teacher Residents may also request to be retained at their school to become a teacher of record for the upcoming academic year.

Site Selection Resources & Forms

• Schools outside of the Acceleration Network should site-select eligible candidates using this 2024-2025 SITE SELECTION FORM.
• Acceleration Network schools, this Acceleration Network Acceptance form must be included in conjunction with this 2024-2025 SITE SELECTION FORM.

Teachers and Counselors are compensated with a 10-month salary, paid over 12 months. The salary for teachers is competitive and ranges from a minimum starting salary of $51,568.

• Salary credit is provided to teachers with two years or more of verified teaching experience.
• Salary increase for Education and/or Prior Experience.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for Teachers and School Counselors that includes medical, dental and vision coverage along with wage continuation and life insurance. Benefits are administered through the School District and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT).

If you have questions about the certification you need for a position, or if you are enrolled in a certification program and would need an emergency permit for a position, click here.

The School District of Philadelphia is offering retention bonuses to teachers and counselors working in 32 schools.

• Individuals appointed at the following schools on September 1, 2022 and remain appointed through the last day of the 2022-2023 academic year will receive $2500 stipends.
• Those teachers and counselors will receive an additional $2500 if they are appointed September 1, 2022 and remain appointed through August 30, 2024.

Teachers working at the following schools are eligible for these bonuses:

• Clemente, Roberto Middle Schl
• McDaniel, Delaplaine School
• Cassidy, Lewis C Academics Plus
• Sullivan, James J. School
• Blankenburg, Rudolph School
• Anderson, Add B. School
• Welsh, John School
• Spring Garden School
• Tilden Middle School
• Mastbaum, Jules E. High School
• Longstreth, William C. School
• The LINC
• Sheridan, Philip H. School
• Comegys, Benjamin B. School
• Marshall, John School
• Kenderton Elementary
• Gideon, Edward School
• Roosevelt Elementary School
• Stearne, Allen M. School
• Cooke, Jay Elementary School
• Blaine, James G. School
• Strawberry Mansion High School
• Bryant, William C. School
• Kelley, William D. School
• Morris, Robert School
• Pennell, Joseph Elementary
• Kensington Health Sciences
• MYA-Middle Years Alternative
• Philadelphia Military Academy
• Hamilton, Andrew School
• Edison, Thomas A. High School
• Hartranft, John F. School

School Counselors

• Provide general school counseling and guidance programs/services including individual and group counseling and guidance
• Provide individual/group counseling and guidance for students
  Implement broad-based programs that deal with decision-making, conflict resolution, self-esteem, coping strategies, and other issues
• Serve as both the primary agent for addressing issues that impact students at risk of failing to attain their full academic potential and the school-based resource for dealing with child abuse/neglect and crisis prevention/intervention
• Liaison between the school and various community/governmental agencies that may provide services to students and their families

Behavioral Health Counselors
In addition to other school counselor duties, provide behavioral health supports.

Click here to view Salary Scales.

To be hired into a School Counselor or Behavioral Health Counselor role. you must meet minimum requirements, and pass a screening by The Office of Prevention & Intervention to determine eligibility for either role.

External candidates, and current SDP employees who are not counselors: 

1. 1. Submit an application for teacher/counselor eligibility. Click here to Submit
   2. If you are eligible, you will be notified via email by an Instructional Recruiter.
   3. Once you are made eligible, you will be able to apply to schools directly in your respective subject area via Taleo.

Need Help? View our Application Guide.

Teachers and Counselors are compensated with a 10-month salary, paid over 12 months. The salary for teachers is competitive and ranges from a minimum starting salary of $51,568.

• Salary credit is provided to teachers with two years or more of verified teaching experience.
• Salary increase for Education and/or Prior Experience.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for Teachers and School Counselors that includes medical, dental and vision coverage along with wage continuation and life insurance. Benefits are administered through the School District and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT).

If you have questions about the certification you need for a position, or if you are enrolled in a certification program and would need an emergency permit for a position, click here.

Phase 1: Meeting the eligibility standards on the SDP Principal Eligibility List.

Phase 2: Eligible candidates may then apply to schools as they are posted via SDP career page.

PHASE #1 – Principal Eligibility List Process

• Step #1 Candidates submit an eligibility application once the Principal Eligibility List application period opens (date varies each year).
• Step #2 Candidates’ applications and credentials are reviewed to determine whether they are able to move on to step 3.
• Step #3 Selected Candidates participate in a round of interviews
• Step #4 Candidates are selected to be placed on the Principal Eligibility list based on interview outcomes.

PHASE #2 – Principal School Base Hiring Process

• Step #1 Candidates interview with the Principal Hire School Advisory Committee
• Step #2 Principal Hire School Advisory Committee provides their selected finalists to the Deputy Superintendents
• Step #3 Notes are reviewed by Deputy Superintendents for context and equity.
• Step #4 Deputy Superintendents make recommendations to the Superintendent.
• Step #5 Superintendent makes the final decision.
• Step #6 Offer is made to the Finalist! 

Principal salaries start at $145,913 and effective 9/1/2024 the starting salary will be $148,831.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for Principals that includes medical, dental and vision coverage along with wage continuation and life insurance. Benefits are administered through the School District and the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators (CASA).

If you have questions about the certification you need for a position, or if you are enrolled in a certification program and would need an emergency permit for a position, click here.

PHASE #1  – Assistant Principal Eligibility List Process

• Step #1 Candidates submit an application once the Assistant Principal Eligibility List Application opens. The opening of the list varies year over year.
• Step #2 Candidates’ applications and credentials are reviewed to determine whether they are able to move on to step 3
• Step #3 Selected Candidates participate in a round of interviews
• Step #4 Candidates are selected to be placed on the Assistant Principal Eligibility list based on interview outcomes

PHASE #2 – Assistant Principal School Base Hiring Process

• Step #1  Candidates interview with the Hiring School Advisory Committee
• Step #2 Assistant Principal Hire School Advisory Committee provide their selected finalists to the Assistant Superintendent
• Step #3 Notes are reviewed by Associate Superintendents for context and equity.
• Step #4 Deputy Superintendents make recommendations to the Superintendent

Assistant Principal salaries start at $98,719 and effective 9/1/2024 $100,693.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for Assistant Principals that includes medical, dental and vision coverage along with wage continuation and life insurance. Benefits are administered through the School District and the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators (CASA).

PHASE #1  -Climate Managers  Eligibility List Process

• Step #1 Candidates submit an application once the Climate Manager Eligibility List Application opens (the opening of the application varies year over year).
• Step #2 Candidates’ applications and credentials are reviewed to determine whether they are able to move on to step 3.
• Step #3 Selected Candidates participate in a performance task.
• Step #4 Candidates are selected to be placed on the Assistant Principal Eligibility list based on interview outcomes.

PHASE #2 – Climate Managers School Base Hiring Process

• Step #1  Candidates interview with the Hiring School Advisory Committee
• Step #2 Assistant Principal Hire School Advisory Committee provide their selected finalists to the Assistant Superintendent
• Step #3 Notes are reviewed by Associate Superintendents for context and equity.
• Step #4 Deputy Superintendents make recommendations to the Superintendent

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for Climate Managers that includes medical, dental and vision coverage along with wage continuation and life insurance. Benefits are administered through the School District and the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators (CASA).

Bus Driver Trainees

Bus Driver Trainees learn to operate a school bus and receive a Commercial Driver’s License and related endorsements under the direction of Garage Operations’ Training Department. Trainees observe and learn how to provide transportation to students on a regularly scheduled route, to and from school sites during the school day and after school hours, and on school-sponsored field trips.

Completion of all classes, written exams and in-bus training must be successfully completed within 45 days of acceptance of the position.

Bus Drivers

Our bus drivers provide transportation to students on regularly scheduled routes to and from school, to alternate sites during the school day and after school hours, and on school-sponsored field trips. They also provide transportation to School District employees from and to selected work sites and perform minor daily preventative maintenance to the vehicle as needed.

Bus drivers are required to have proper credentials (school bus endorsement or an S endorsement). All candidates will be hired in the trainee status until credentials/endorsements are verified and the road test is completed.

Bus Attendants

Bus attendants monitor the activities of special education students while on buses en route to and from school, to ensure the safe and secure transportation of students, and ensure students board and leave buses in a safe and orderly fashion. They render necessary basic first aid or other assistance to ensure the student’s well-being and safety and provide routine assistance with receiving, logging, storing and issuing supplies and materials.

Come join our transportation team!  Click here to apply

Connect directly with a recruiter at our frequent office hours (every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 1-2 PM on Zoom).
Click here to join a zoom session.

Hourly rates for bus drivers and bus driver trainees start at $22.11 per hour, and bus attendant roles start at $16.31 per hour. Part-time and full-time roles are available.

Medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy benefits are provided through the union.

Bus drivers must have their CDL license with an “S” school bus endorsement.

Individuals who do not have that license or endorsement should apply for the Bus Trainee position.

Special Education Assistants
Special Education Assistants assist special education classroom teachers in implementing instructional activities in school and community settings and individual, small and large group instruction. They provide one-to-one academic and physical support for students with disabilities.

Teacher Assistant
Provides supportive services to classroom teachers in the Prekindergarten Head Start Program. Assists teachers in the preparation of and during the conduct of instructional activities, provides supplemental instruction to students individually or in groups, to advocate the social and academic readiness of pre-school students for subsequent entrance into the kindergarten program.

Bilingual Counseling
Facilitates communication between school staff, students, and parents/guardians by providing accurate, impartial and complete interpretation of the Spoken Language message conveyed to the Target Language. Collaborates with ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and other teacher(s) by providing interpretation of rubrics and instructions for classroom activities, assignments and projects; and assist in the assessments of students’ educational strengths and challenges.

Secretaries
Provides clerical support in an assigned office or school. Performs varied clerical tasks which include typing, filing, scheduling and answering telephones.

Support Service
Assists teaching and non-teaching staff in schools within the Title I program. Participates in a cooperative effort to support basic skills achievement of students who are economically or educationally disadvantage, including instructional assistance in the classrooms in major subject areas which include reading and mathematics and/or facilitative services to non-instructional staff in support of the program’s overall objectives.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A PART-TIME POSITION

Click here to apply

*This information is updated annually each summer. Current info is for 2023-2024.

Hourly rates for Special Education Assistants start at $15.95 per hour.

Sign Language Interpreter for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Minimum EIPA 3.5 or RID Certified
Provides sign language interpretation for signing Deaf or Hard of Hearing students mainstreamed into regular education classes. Facilitates communication between Hard of Deaf/Hard of Hearing students and their teachers, their hearing peers and other personnel within the School District.

School Nurse
Provides comprehensive health assessments and problem management services to students. Manages the school health program and maintains comprehensive health records for each student. Provides health counseling to students, parents and school personnel on issues designed to promote good health habits in students.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires School Nurses and School Psychologists to obtain a certificate. Learn More

School Psychologist
Provides psychological services to students thought to be eligible for special education services or for gifted services. Performs evaluations of the cognitive, academic and social-emotional development of students through the use of techniques such as non-biased testing, observation and clinical evaluation.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires School Nurses and School Psychologists to obtain a certificate. Learn More

Occupational Therapist
Provides occupational therapy services to students in an effort to enhance the student’s ability to participate in their educational program, in a variety of settings including schools for the orthopedically impaired, schools with special classes for the physically challenged, licensed private facilities, and the residences of homebound students. Frequently provides services in an itinerant fashion. Services are provided using a multidisciplinary model in consultation with parents, staff, personal care providers, community and medical agencies as appropriate to affect a comprehensive treatment program. Applicants must have possession of a valid license to practice as an Occupational Therapist as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Physical Therapist
Provides physical therapy to children and young adults disabled through disease or injury, in accordance with prescriptions issued by a physician. Provides therapy either within the school for the orthopedically impaired, as an itinerant therapist, in schools with special classes for the multiple handicapped, licensed private facilities, or the residences of homebound students. Confers with parents, staff, and community and medical agencies to affect a comprehensive treatment program. Applicants must have possession of a valid license to practice as a Physical Therapist as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Provides itinerant orientation and mobility services to visually impaired students in order to improve mobility and independent functioning. Assesses visually impaired students to determine eligibility for service. Participates in the multi-disciplinary team process and individual educational programming activities for students where relevant. Applicants must be in possession of a valid Orientation and Mobility Specialist certificate issued by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP), OR possession of a valid National Orientation Mobility certificate (NOMC) issued by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board.

External candidates, and current SDP employees who are not teachers/counselors: 

1. 1. Submit an application for eligibility. Click here to Submit
   2. If you are eligible, you will be notified via email by an Instructional Recruiter.
   3. Once you are made eligible, you will be able to apply to schools directly in your respective subject area via Taleo.

Need Help? View our Application Guide.

Need support with school-based clinical queries? email jobs@philasd.org

School nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, physical therapists, and orientation and mobility specialists are compensated with a 10-month salary, paid over 12 months. The salary is competitive. Please find more information HERE.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage along with wage continuation and life insurance. Benefits are administered through the School District and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT).

The Office of Certification accepts official, sealed transcripts showing conferred or awarded degrees, along with the documentation requested below for salary upgrades, in the following ways:

1. Mailed to The School District of Philadelphia
   Educational Center
   Certification Office
   440 North Broad Street, Suite 222
   Philadelphia, PA 19130
2. Hand delivered to the Certification Office, Suite 222 (2nd floor, Portal D, HR Service Window) between 8:30am and 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
3. Official sealed E-transcripts should be sent from University to salaryupgrades@philasd.org.

E-Transcripts New Hire: Candidates and/or New Hires sending electronic transcripts should have the University send E-transcripts directly to Melissa Alexander for review at Salary@philasd.org.

The following notes pertain to all salary upgrades:

• All salary Upgrade applications must include a Salary Upgrade Form. Please gather all transcripts and salary upgrade form for complete submission. If you have submitted Documentation within One Calendar year please be sure to select the “Open File” section of the Salary Upgrade form
• Credits must be from a 4-year accredited college or university; credits from junior college and/or community college are not accepted at this time.
• College/University credits with a grade of “C” or better
  • Vocational: The only exception to this is for vocational teachers, where credits from community colleges are acceptable.
• Some colleges/universities use quarter hours. The School District of Philadelphia considers quarter hour credits to be 2/3 of a semester hour and will use the following calculation to convert those credits to semester hours: total number of quarter hours multiplied by 2 and divided by 3 = number of semester hours.
  • A few of the universities that use a quarter hour system are Antioch, California State – East Bay, and Drexel.
• Degrees from other countries must be evaluated by a National Association of Credentials Evaluation Services member; WES is one that is frequently used but any member can be used by the applicant. A list of members can be found at http://www.naces.org/.
• We do not accept courses in real estate, law, medicine or religion because they cannot be used in the classroom. We will, however, accept medical courses for nurses and “school” law courses.
• School Nurses, Occupational/Physical Therapist and Psychologist cannot attain Senior Career Teacher salary status

Master’s Equivalency Salary Upgrade

• Master’s Equivalency requires 36 graduate credits from an accredited college/university with a grade of “C” or better. A minimum of 18 credits in any certified content area and a maximum of 18 PA approved in-service credits. In-service is considered “professional development” before year 2000.
• Applicants should obtain a Letter of Equivalency from the state, Applicant must complete a Salary Upgrade Request Form and attach a copy of the Letter of Equivalency.
• NOTE: Masters Equivalency is approved by the PA Department of Education. The requirements and process can be found at The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s website- CLICK HERE“

Master’s Degree Salary Upgrade

• Applicant must complete a Salary Upgrade Request Form and submit official Master’s transcript, sealed in official college envelope, which shows conferred Master’s Degree with date awarded.

Master’s Plus 30 Salary Upgrade

• Applicant must submit a Salary Upgrade Request Form
• Submit Master’s transcript, sealed in official college and/or University envelope, which shows conferred Master’s Degree with date awarded, along with the other official, sealed transcripts which make up the additional credits.
• Master’s Plus 30 requires 60 credits beyond the Bachelor’s Degree. Post baccalaureate credits may be included with Master’s+30 application.
• Some colleges/universities use quarter hours. The School District of Philadelphia considers quarter hour credits to be 2/3 of a semester hour and will use the following calculation to convert those credits to semester hours: total number of quarter hours multiplied by 2 and divided by 3 = number of semester hours. A few of the universities that use a quarter hour system are Antioch, California State – East Bay, and Drexel.

Doctorate’s Salary Upgrade 

• Applicant must complete a Salary Upgrade Request Form and submit official sealed conferred Doctorate’s degree transcript. Please Note: Must reflect any degree from a graduate degree granting institution, awarded or conferred on or after January 1, 2012 will be accepted for salary upgrade.

Senior Career Teacher (SCT) Salary Upgrade 

• Applicant must complete an SCT Salary Upgrade Form and submit official sealed conferred and/or awarded Master’s transcript, sealed in official college envelope, along with the other official, sealed transcripts which make up the additional credits.
• SCT requires 90 credits beyond Conferred Bachelor’s degree and a Conferred Master’s Degree OR a conferred Doctorate’s Degree.
• SCT requires 2 professional certifications or 1 K-12 certification area; applicants are required to submit a copy of professional certifications.
• SCT requires that applicants complete 10 years of teaching experience as a teacher in The School District of Philadelphia. We do not count long-term sub work, Per-Diem, or interrupted Worktime (such as lay-offs or leaves)
• School Nurses, Occupational/Physical Therapist and Psychologist cannot attain Senior Career Teacher salary status.

Vocational Education Teacher Salary Upgrade- Additional Information

Master’s Degree Level:

• Six (6) years of trade experience and possession of a Bachelor’s Degree, OR achievement of a Vocational I certificate issued by PDE.

Master’s Plus 30:

•  Possession of a Vocational II certificate issued by PDE.

Senior Career Teacher:

• Possession of a Vocational II certificate issued by PDE
• Ten (10) years of satisfactory teaching in the School District of Philadelphia
• Forty-five (45) approved college credits.

Salary adjustments for all of the above will be effective on the first day of the pay period in which the last credential is received by the Certification Office. Educators are encouraged to retain a personal complete set of official transcripts on hand. The compliance department does not maintain an ongoing file of coursework for each employee.

Welcome, new hires and candidates. As part of the hiring process at the School District, you may have already received an initial offer of employment that includes a quoted salary, based on the information you provided on your resume.

There are additional steps you can take to further adjust your salary, based on your education and prior experience. Once you submit the required information and we have verified it, a revised salary may be presented. Please read the steps below and complete them all, as soon as possible, so we can finalize your offer.

NOTE: This opportunity for adjustment/salary increase is only applicable to candidates with TWO OR MORE years’ past experience of satisfactory full-time work as a teacher or a counselor, OR an advanced degree (see Advanced Degrees below).

Salary Adjustments/Increases for New Hires

• Your initial offer is a quote based on your resume and will continue to be refined, as you continue through the hiring process and provide proof of your education and experience
• Your official (final) starting salary will be based on your VERIFIED experience and education
  • Experience is verified via the Prior Experience form (see the appropriate job category below and expand, to find your form),
    • which you’ll send to past employers’ Human Resources Office (see directions below), to be completed by your former employer(s) authorized Human Resources Representative, and sent back to salary@philasd.org
  • Education is verified through an official, sealed paper transcript or an official e-transcript sent directly to us at salary@philasd.org
• It is your responsibility to reach out to your past employers and educational institutions to ensure your education and prior experience are verified in order to receive the correct salary.
• Forms cannot be accepted or received by a candidate/new hire; form must be sent directly to the District.
• Once your past employers and educational institutions have returned the forms to the School District of Philadelphia you will receive a final salary letter via email. Please allow up to two weeks for processing your salary adjustment.
• As long as we continue to receive verifications, we will continue to review and adjust your salary
• The final salary offered will be based on your experience and education and is non-negotiable.
• Salary adjustments received after your start date:
  • are eligible for retroactive payment if they are received within 60 days of your start date
  • Any adjustments received after the 60 days are effective at the beginning of the pay period in which they are received.

You may begin this process at any step of your hiring process.

1. Review the Prior Experience Policy for the rules the district will use to calculate your salary offer for the above positions.
2. Sign and submit the policy to salary@philasd.org
3. Download the Prior Experience Verification form
4. Complete section one (I) only.
5. Send the Prior Experience Verification form to each of your current and/or former employers Human Resources Office where you held a role for which you would receive salary credit for based on the above policy.
6. Your former Employer(s) Authorized Human Resources Representative will complete Section two (II) and return it directly to salary@philasd.org. They should copy you on the email so that you know it was sent.
7. If your former employer(s) uses a third party verifications (ex the work number, E-Verify, InVerify, etc) Candidate/new hire will need to obtain the verification and submit the official unaltered verification to salary@philasd.org the School District of Philadelphia does not participate or pay for third party verifications

You may begin this process at any step of your hiring process.

1. Review the Prior Experience Policy for the rules the district will use to calculate your salary offer for the above positions.
2. Sign and submit the policy to salary@philasd.org
3. Download the Prior Experience Verification form
4. Complete section one (I) only.
5. Send the Prior Experience Verification form to each of your current and/or former employers Human Resources Office where you held a role for which you would receive salary credit for based on the above policy.
6. Your former Employer(s) Authorized Human Resources Representative will complete Section two (II) and return it directly to salary@philasd.org. They should copy you on the email so that you know it was sent.
7. If your former employer(s) uses a third party verifications (ex the work number, E-Verify, InVerify, etc) Candidate/new hire will need to obtain the verification and submit the official unaltered verification to salary@philasd.org the School District of Philadelphia does not participate or pay for third party verifications
8. If you were the owner of a business with qualify experience you will need to submit tax returns for each year you owned the business.

The following notes pertain to all salary upgrades:

• Credits must be from a 4-year accredited college or university; credits from junior college and/or community college are not accepted. The only exception to this is for vocational teachers, where credits from community colleges are acceptable.
• Degrees from other countries must be evaluated by a National Association of Credentials Evaluation Services member; WES is one that is frequently used but any member can be used by the applicant. A list of members can be found at http://www.naces.org/
• We do not accept courses in real estate, law, medicine or religion because they cannot be used in the classroom.  We will, however, accept medical courses for nurses or CTE Medical Teacher and “school” law courses.
• Some colleges/universities use quarter hours.  The School District of Philadelphia considers quarter hour credits to be 2/3 of a semester hour and will use the following calculation to convert those credits to semester hours:  total number of quarter hours multiplied by 2 and divided by 3 = number of semester hours.  A few of the universities that use a quarter hour system are Antioch, California State – East Bay, and Drexel.

Master’s Equivalency:

• A Master’s Equivalency is evaluated and approved by the PA Department of Education and requires 36 graduate credits from an accredited college/university with a grade of “C” or better.  A minimum of 18 credits in any certified content area and a maximum of 18 PA approved in-service credits.  In-service is considered “professional development” before year 2000.

Master’s Degree Salary Upgrade

• Awarded and/or conferred Masters degree.
• Vocational Education Teachers with a Vocational I certificate or a Bachelor’s degree with 6 years of trade experience or a Master’s Degree should be paid at a Masters Level.

Master’s Plus 30 Salary Upgrade

• Master’s Plus 30 requires an awarded and/or conferred Masters Degree, a total 60 semester credits beyond the conferred Bachelor’s Degree.

Doctorate’s Salary Upgrade 

• Awarded and/or conferred Doctorate’s Degree

The Certification office accepts official transcripts showing conferred or awarded degrees.

Official Transcripts can sent accepted in one of three ways:

1. Official Electronic transcripts sent directly to salary@philasd.org directly from your College/University’s third party company
2. Official Sealed transcripts can be sent via U.S. Mail to:

The School District of Philadelphia

Suite 222, Attention Salary

440 North Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA 19130

3. Official Sealed transcripts can be hand delivered to the Certification office at:

The School District of Philadelphia

440 North Broad Street

2nd floor, Portal D, Suite 222

Philadelphia, PA 19130

Please indicate that you are a New Hire.

We do not accept degrees or courses in the fields of Law, Religion, Real Estate, or Medicine (Medicine is only accepted if you are taking a Nurse or CTE Medical Teacher Position) 

Transcript received within thirty (30) days of hire is eligible for retro active payment. Transcripts received after 30 days will need to apply for salary upgrade and will be effective the beginning of the pay period in which your official transcripts were received.

Download Teacher Policy Here

• New Hires may receive approved prior experience credit for all years minus one (1) with a maximum placement of step ten (10) on the salary scale.
• Full-time teaching experience as a lead teacher, school counselor, Principal, Assistant Principal, Literacy Coach and Academic Coach positions will be accepted for teachers.
• Full-time teaching experience as a lead teacher will be accepted for counselors.
• Full-time psychology experience will be accepted for school psychologists.
• Full-time occupational therapy experience will be accepted for occupational therapists.
• Full-time speech language pathology experience will be accepted for speech language pathologists.
• Experience as a full-time counselor in a school or as a counselor in a public or private youth agency is acceptable for prior experience credit.
• Experience will only be counted if it is after the awarding of a bachelor’s degree.  Experience prior to a bachelor’s degree will not be credited.
• Satisfactory Work Experience will be counted.
• Experience will be accepted at any education level including pre-school, elementary, secondary, community college, or college/university level; and through any accredited or licensed educational entity, including public school, private school, parochial school, day care center or program, charter school, or college/university.
• Adjunct Professors will receive half credit.
• Positions out of the country are accepted in alignment with the prior experience policy.
• Part-time and shared time teaching, student teaching, Resident, Internships, fellowships, or serving as a teacher’s assistant, teacher’s aide, co-teacher, per diem substitute, or other similar positions will not be accepted for prior experience credit.
• A full-year of prior experience credit will be given if an individual worked for 75% of the school year in the same school district. The year can either be a 10-month or 12-month position. 75% of a 10-month position is equivalent to at least 135 days or 7.5 months. For example, if a school year is from September 1 to June 15 and an individual held a position from October 15 until the end of the school year, the individual would receive prior experience credit for a full-year because she/he worked for more than 75% of the work year.
• Long-term substitute positions that were held and worked for seventy (70) days or more in a semester will be given a half-year of prior experience credit. Semesters counted are September 1st through January 31st and February 1st through June 30th. Half-years of long-term substitute teaching credit will be counted as full years of prior experience credit if there are an even number of half-years. If there is an odd number of half-years, credit will be rounded down to the closest half-year. For example, two half-years of long-term substitute teaching credit will be counted as a full year. Three half-years of long-term substitute teaching credit will be rounded down to the closest half-year and counted as a full year.
• Verification received within 60 days of appointment will be retroactive to the date of appointment. Experience received after 60 days will not be retroactive.

Download Nurse/CTE Policy Here

Nurses

• New Hires may receive approved prior experience credit for all years minus one (1) with a maximum placement of step ten (10) on the salary scale.
• Credit will be given for those who have satisfactory experience as a registered nurse.
• Nurses will receive prior experience credit based on the hours they worked weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or yearly:
  • A full year of prior experience credit will be given for 30 hours per week or more, 60 hours biweekly or more, 120 hours monthly or more, or 1,440 hours annually or more.
  • A half-year of prior experience credit will be given for 20-29 hours per week, 40-59 hours bi-weekly, 80-119 hours monthly or 960-1,439 hours annually.
• Half-years of prior experience credit will be combined to give credit as full years of prior experience credit if there are an even number of half-years. If there are an odd number of half-years, credit will be rounded down to the closest half-year. For example, two half-years of prior experience credit will be combined to make a full year. Five half-years of long-term prior experience credit will be rounded down to the closest full year and counted as two full years.
• Months of part-time and full-time work will be added together. Any remaining partial years that cannot be added together to equate one year of credit will not be counted.
• SDP does not participate in third party verifications (ex the work number, E-Verify, InVerify, etc) Candidate will need to obtain the verification and submit the official unaltered verification to salary@philasd.org
• Verification received within 60 days of appointment will be retroactive to the date of appointment. Experience received after 60 days will not be retroactive.

Vocational/CTE Teachers

• New Hires may receive approved prior experience credit for all years minus one (1) with a maximum placement of step ten (10) on the salary scale.
• Vocational teachers will receive prior experience credit for satisfactory industry experience in the subject area they are teaching based on the hours they worked per week.
• Full-time prior experience credit will be given if the individual worked a minimum of 30 hours per week or more.
• Part-time prior experience credit will be given if the individual worked 20-29 hours per week. Part-time prior experience credit will be counted as half-years. For example, 5 years of part-time experience will be counted as 2.5 years of full-time experience.
• Months of part-time and full-time work will be added together. Any remaining partial years that cannot be added together to equate one year of credit will not be counted.
• Vocational teachers who hold a bachelor’s degree must submit an official sealed transcript to effect your salary.
• Verification received within 60 days of appointment will be retroactive to the date of appointment. Experience received after 60 days will not be retroactive.

Current Tuition Reimbursements

If you are interested in applying for one of the below reimbursements please download the application to process your request.
Questions can be directed to reimbursements@philasd.org.

APPLICATION FOR TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

Career Development Fund: We will provide tuition assistance for the cost of college credits up to $600.00.

• Who is eligible? Appointed Secretaries, School Operations Officers, Paraprofessionals, Non-Teaching Assistants, Teachers who need to be re-certified (only for teachers who do not hold a Level 2 certification), and the Para-Technical Unit Members
• Tuition reimbursement will be granted for up to $600 per school year
• Courses taken in the current school year but after the date of employment
• Applications can be submitted once the course is completed and a grade of “C” or better is received on an official sealed transcript.

National Board Certification Application Expenses: We will reimburse classroom teachers up to $2500.00 for application fees and expenses incurred in applying for Nation Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification.

• Who is eligible? Classroom Teachers
• Application fees and expenses incurred in applying for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification
• Reimbursement will be granted for up to $2500 per school year
• Must be an employee at the time of application for the NBCT certification
• Eligible for reimbursement only for fees and expenses involved in applying for NBCT after receiving
• the certification
• Starting in the 2022-2023 school year, applications will be accepted year-round. Applications can be submitted once the course is completed and a grade of “C” or better is received on an official sealed transcript