Training Handbook |
Section 2.D. |
I. General Policies applying to any staff member taking a college course, including CDA courses.
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A. |
Any staff member taking a college course on Head Start time or through Head Start funds must complete the course with a passing grade within the time of the semester taken. Failure to do so could result in the complete withdrawal of HSGD assistance until the employee has successfully completed the course with their own funds and on their own time. |
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B. |
All employees enrolled in a college program toward a degree and are requesting funds from HSGD, must have a degree plan on file in the Training Department. |
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C. |
After completing a course that HSGD has funded and or given work time to complete, the employee must submit a grade report to the Training Department within 30 days of the end of the semester. |
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D. |
Any employee taking a college course on Head Start time or through Head Start funds must complete a College Course Request Form (This form can be found in HSeIS) prior to taking any course. |
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E. |
Any employee taking a college course on Head Start time or through Head Start funds is a representative of our agency to the college, and exemplary behavior is expected. The employee will attend classes as scheduled and be on time for class. HSGD has an excellent rapport with the local colleges, and it is the responsibility of every employee to reinforce this relationship. |
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F. |
Head Start will not pay late fees for registration, additional fees for a person registering for a course more than twice, or any additional fees other than tuition, books and required lab fees. |
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G. |
It is included on the College Course Request Form (HSeIS) and each staff member must be aware that HSGD has permission to request from the college a staff members transcript. |
II. CDA Courses
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A. |
Teachers who are required to have a CDA within their first two years of employment must be allowed to take one course per semester and be given work time to take this course or be compensated with work time. If a Teacher wants to complete the CDA course requirements early, HSGD will cover the cost of college tuition, books and fees, but is not required to give work time for more than one course per semester. |
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B. |
The semesters that the Teacher will be allowed to take the CDA classes is up to the Site Manager or their representative, however the Site Manager is required to adhere to the timetables of the CDA Policy. |
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C. |
For Teachers taking CDA classes they are required to be given a lunch break in addition to the class time. |
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D. |
If a Teacher does not successfully complete the CDA evaluation, it is up to the Site Manager to determine the next step. However, the CDA is required of all Head Start Teachers. The Site Manager is requested to counsel with Training and Human Resources as to the employee's options. |
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E. |
CDA renewal will follow the same policies as the CDA. Teacher who have received their CDA the first time must take a college course prior to 2 ½ years after getting their CDA. For all additional renewals the Teacher has 4 ½ years to get the required college course. |
III. College Degree Coursework
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A. |
Since these courses are not required by HSGD, lunch break time is not given in addition to class time for those courses taken during work time. |
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B. |
For Teachers working on their Associate Degree in Child Development, HSGD can allow the employee to take one out of four courses on Head Start time. |
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C. |
HSGD will pay tuition, books and fees for all Teachers working on their Associate Degree as long as funds are available to do this. This applies to courses taken on work time or the employees time. |
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D. |
For Teachers who want to take courses from another college other than Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD), HSGD will not pay tuition and fees to the college, but can reimburse the employee for these costs up to amount the course would cost at DCCCD. |
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E. |
Any college course taken toward a Bachelors Degree after January 1, 2008 that is paid for by HSGD , the person receiving the funds is committed to three years of working for Head Start after obtaining their degree or paying back the money that was invested in their education by Head Start. If the person works part of the three year commitment, the person will pay the the percentage of money of the time not worked. This commitment or obligation does not apply to CDA course work or the Child Development Associate Degree program. This agreement applies if the person leaves voluntarily or is terminated. |
IV. Bachelors Degree HSGD Assistance
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A. |
All staff are welcome and encouraged to apply for an educational stipend to assist them with their college education. The stipend funds do not fall under the obligation to work for Head Start after completing the degree or paying back the money given by the agency. |
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B. |
HSGD cannot pay for courses after the employee has completed the Associate Degree. Although having Bachelors level teachers is a goal of Head Start, unfortunately at this time it is an unfunded mandate. |
“When you come to the fork in
the road, take it.”
Yogi Berra