(a) In the case of a teacher, principal or superintendent, or other administrative employee, the term “years of experience” in determining salary in accordance with § 1305 of this title means years of service in any public school or regularly organized private school. Ninety-one days in any school year shall constitute 1 year of experience, but not more than 1 year of experience may be credited for any 1 calendar year. Years of service in the armed forces shall also be counted as years of experience in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Education in this respect. A graduate of a 5-year preservice program that includes an extensive clinical component in the fifth year, or a graduate of a 4-year preservice program who graduates with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent, must be granted 1 year of experience in addition to any other experience granted in accordance with this section.

(b) In the case of a person employed as a teacher of trades and industries, or as a coordinator of distributive education, work experience shall be allowed on a year for year basis for full-time work experience in the trade of the teaching subject for those years of work experience beyond years counted toward qualification for certification under rules and regulations of the Department of Education. One hundred and thirty-one working days in any school year shall constitute 1 year of work experience but not more than 1 year of experience may be credited for any 1 calendar year.

(c) In the case of a Department of Education employee who is required to meet certification requirements as specified in the Manual for the Certification of Professional Public School Personnel but is employed in the non-instructional areas of transportation, finance/business management, human resources/personnel management, purchasing, community/public relations, administrative services, pupil services, audiology, occupational therapist, physical therapist, psychologist, speech language pathologist, human relations, nurse, social work/services, information technology or a specialized assignment comparable to these areas, work experience shall be allowed on a year for year basis for full-time work experience in a directly related position in public or private business in accordance with rules established by the Department of Education. Nothing in this section shall be construed as changing or modifying the certification requirements relating to these noninstructional positions.

(d) In the case of personnel whose salaries are based wholly or in part upon §§ 1306, 1307, 1308, 1309, 1310, 1311, 1321, 1322 and 1324 of this title, experience shall be evaluated by the Department of Education, taking into consideration the number of months and the nature of the services rendered.

(e) Beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 1998, experience for all public education employees shall be credited according to the provisions of subsections (a) through (d) of this section. No employee shall be entitled to retroactive payment of salary as a result of any changes in experience resulting from the provisions of subsections (a) through (d) of this section.

46 Del. Laws, c. 48, §§ 1-4; 47 Del. Laws, c. 195, § 1; 48 Del. Laws, Sp. Sess., c. 489, §§ 2-4; 14 Del. C. 1953, § 1312; 50 Del. Laws, c. 602, § 1; 52 Del. Laws, c. 344, § 10; 53 Del. Laws, c. 177; 58 Del. Laws, c. 262, §§ 4-6; 59 Del. Laws, c. 34; 71 Del. Laws, c. 132, §§ 353, 355; 71 Del. Laws, c. 180, § 69; 72 Del. Laws, c. 294, § 36; 78 Del. Laws, c. 290, § 8(m)(5)(viii).