What is the Discover Program?

Discover Certificated and Classified Course Offerings are made up of a variety of professional development and training opportunities made possible because of parent, teacher, administration, and Board of Education support. Included are district-sponsored courses offering district credit. Registration priority for district credit courses will be given to San Diego City Schools’ certificated staff for salary advancement. Others may attend as space permits.

District Credit

The district credit courses are equivalent to university credit classes in content, quality, and general conduct. Certificated staff members who successfully complete these courses will be awarded semester unit credit in the form of district credit. You cannot take a class twice for district credit. Exception: see page 153 Appendix A Salary Rules - 2.28, Collective Negotiations Contract, “Credit may be allowed for a repeated course provided at least five years have elapsed between completion dates of the two courses. Courses are not considered duplicate courses if they are taken at different institutions under different instructors even though the course titles may be similar.” This credit may be fully applicable toward salary advancement within the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) provided the class is closely related to the participant’s assignment. A permanent, cumulative record of participation (transcript of record) is maintained in the Chief Curriculum and Staff Development Office, Discover Program  for a period of seven years for each person who successfully completes the requirements of SDUSD district credit classes.

Credit/Credential

To receive credit, certificated staff must enroll in courses closely related to their assignment, fulfill all class requirements, pay the course fee as advertised, and attend the entire scheduled class time at all class meetings. For questions regarding verification of a course as it relates to assignment, call Sheila Genung in Salary Administration at (619) 725-8042. Most of the courses listed in this bulletin do not meet the requirements for credentials or advanced degrees unless prior approval has been received by the source from which the degree or credential will be granted.

Transcript Requests

Copies of the transcript will be forwarded to the Wage and Salary Department ONLY UPON WRITTEN REQUEST BY THE PARTICIPANT. Requests must be accompanied by a check for $2 (per copy) made payable to San Diego Unified School District. Send request with payment to: Discover Program, IMC-Building A, 2441 Cardinal Lane, San Diego, CA 92123-3744.

Who May Attend

Instructional and administrative staff, substitute teachers, classified personnel, and aides are welcome to participate in this program. Parents and community members need to pay the out-of-district amount. Substitutes may pay the credit fee and have a transcript maintained in the Chief Curriculum and Staff Development Office, Discover Program. If substitutes are hired as contract teachers, the credit received will apply to salary advancement. Attendance by employees must be outside regular working hours; if duty hours are involved, the appropriate division must approve all arrangements in advance.

Course Fees

For district participants, each 1/2 unit is $45 when taken for district credit and $30 when taken without district credit.  Fees for out-of-district participants are $75 per 1/2 unit.  There is a $30 registration fee for each course that will go towards your class tuition, however it is non refundable. Course fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Enrollment Procedures/Cancellations

Submit a request for enrollment for the classes you wish to attend along with your registration fee. Classes are held based on reservations received. Courses will be canceled if enrollment is less than 15 registered participants. Please register early so we can determine whether the class will be held. The enrollment form is located at Register By Mail or you may Register Online.

There is a nonrefundable registration fee of *$30 for each credit course (*$60 for two-units.  Participants taking classes for credit PAY THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS THE FIRST DAY OR EVENING OF CLASS. If a class is canceled due to lack of enrollment, those participants who did not attend the first session will lose their registration fee to help defray the costs of the program. Participants who attended the session will receive a refund. If you are unable to attend, please call the DISCOVER PROGRAM office at (858) 496-1897, at least one week prior to the first day of class or the enrollment deposit will be forfeited. Questions regarding enrollment in district courses and workshops may be directed to (858) 496-1897.

*COURSE FEE/DEPOSITS ARE DUE WHEN YOU SUBMIT YOUR ENROLLMENT FORM.