Teacher Rules, Roles and Rights
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1. Select Districts

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Select District State Size Size Poverty Poverty Largest Union Affiliation Collective Bargaining Lunch Reading 4th Lunch Math 4th Lunch Reading 8th Lunch Math 8th Black/white Reading 4th Black/white Math 4th Black/white Reading 8th Black/white Math 8th Hispanic/white Reading 4th Hispanic/white Math 4th Hispanic/white Reading 8th Hispanic/white Math 8th
no Birmingham City Schools Alabama 267 267 67 67% false E P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Mobile County Public Schools Alabama 64 64 69 69% true E P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Anchorage School District Alaska 96 96 42 42% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Mesa Public Schools Arizona 56 56 55 55% true E P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Little Rock Public Schools Arkansas 271 271 70 70% true N P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Fresno Unified School District California 45 45 81 81% false N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Long Beach Unified School District California 35 35 70 70% false N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Los Angeles Unified School District California 2 2 63 63% true B R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Oakland Unified School District California 102 102 70 70% false N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Sacramento City Unified School District California 98 98 67 67% false E R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no San Diego Unified School District California 19 19 66 66% false N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no San Francisco Unified School District California 73 73 61 61% false B R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Denver Public Schools Colorado 42 42 72 72% false N P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Douglas County School District Colorado 66 66 11 11% false A P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Harrison School District Two Colorado 500+ 500+ 68 68% false E P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Jefferson County Public Schools Colorado 33 33 31 31% true N P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Bridgeport Public Schools Connecticut 380 380 99 99% false R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Hartford Public Schools Connecticut 365 365 90 90% true A R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no New Haven School District Connecticut 382 382 78 78% false A R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Christina School District Delaware 469 469 60 60% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no District of Columbia Public Schools District of Columbia 111 111 75 75% true A R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Brevard County School District Florida 48 48 42 42% false B R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Broward County School District Florida 6 6 55 55% false B R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Duval County School District Florida 21 21 53 53% false B R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Hillsborough County School District Florida 8 8 56 56% false B R false false false false false false false false true true true true
no Lee County School District Florida 37 37 62 62% false E R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Miami-Dade County School District Florida 4 4 70 70% true B R true false false true false false false false true false true true
no Orange County School District Florida 10 10 57 57% false B R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Palm Beach County School District Florida 11 11 47 47% false B R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Pinellas County School District Florida 26 26 50 50% false B R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Polk County School District Florida 31 31 66 66% false N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Atlanta Public Schools Georgia 92 92 76 76% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Cobb County School District Georgia 23 23 43 43% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Dekalb County School System Georgia 27 27 70 70% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Fulton County Schools Georgia 32 32 34 34% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Gwinnett County Public Schools Georgia 14 14 52 52% true E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Hawaii Department of Education Hawaii 9 9 47 47% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Meridian Joint District Idaho 166 166 28 28% true N P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Chicago Public Schools Illinois 3 3 86 86% true A R false false false false false false false false false false true false
no Elgin School District U-46 Illinois 130 130 54 54% false N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Indianapolis Public Schools Indiana 182 182 82 82% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Des Moines Public Schools Iowa 181 181 67 67% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Wichita Public Schools Kansas 95 95 75 75% true B R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Jefferson County Public Schools Kentucky 28 28 64 64% true N P false false false false true true false true true true false false
no Caddo Parish Public Schools Louisiana 121 121 65 65% false E P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no East Baton Rouge Parish School System Louisiana 115 115 80 80% false E P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Jefferson Parish Public Schools Louisiana 106 106 76 76% true A P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Louisiana Recovery School District Louisiana 500+ 500+ 88 88% false E P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no New Orleans Public Schools Louisiana 500+ 500+ 67 67% false E P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Portland Public Schools, ME Maine 500+ 500+ 50 50% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Anne Arundel County Public Schools Maryland 44 44 28 28% false N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Baltimore City Public School System Maryland 36 36 84 84% false A R true false false false false true false true false false false false
no Baltimore County Public Schools Maryland 25 25 42 42% false N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Montgomery County Public Schools Maryland 17 17 31 31% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Prince George's County Public Schools Maryland 20 20 55 55% false N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Boston Public Schools Massachusetts 72 72 74 74% true A R false true false false false false false false false false false false
no Springfield Public Schools Massachusetts 280 280 84 84% false B R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Detroit Public Schools Michigan 43 43 80 80% true A R false true true true false false false false false false false false
no Anoka-Hennepin Independent School District Minnesota 138 138 37 37% true B R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Minneapolis Public Schools Minnesota 169 169 66 66% false B R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no St. Paul Public Schools Minnesota 149 149 72 72% false A R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Desoto County School District Mississippi 199 199 49 49% true E P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Jackson Public Schools Mississippi 213 213 89 89% false E P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Kansas City, Missouri School District Missouri 414 414 76 76% false A P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no St. Louis Public School District Missouri 263 263 80 80% true A P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Billings Public Schools Montana 500+ 500+ 34 34% true B R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Omaha Public Schools Nebraska 94 94 68 68% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Clark County School District Nevada 5 5 54 54% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Manchester School District New Hampshire 500+ 500+ 47 47% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Newark School District New Jersey 125 125 86 86% true A R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Albuquerque Public Schools New Mexico 30 30 63 63% true A R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Buffalo City School District New York 167 167 79 79% false N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no New York City Public Schools New York 1 1 75 75% true A R false false true true false false false false false false false false
no Rochester City School District New York 196 196 84 84% false A R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools North Carolina 18 18 53 53% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Guilford County Schools North Carolina 46 46 53 53% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Wake County Schools North Carolina 16 16 49 49% true E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Fargo Public Schools North Dakota 500+ 500+ 28 28% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Cincinnati City School District Ohio 175 175 72 72% false A P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Cleveland Metropolitan School District Ohio 107 107 87 87% false A P false false false false true true false false true true false false
no Columbus Public Schools Ohio 87 87 77 77% true N P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Dayton City School District Ohio 500+ 500+ 76 76% false N P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Toledo Public Schools Ohio 297 297 80 80% false A P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Oklahoma City Public Schools Oklahoma 113 113 84 84% true A R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Tulsa Public Schools Oklahoma 123 123 83 83% false E R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Portland Public Schools, OR Oregon 104 104 46 46% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Philadelphia School District Pennsylvania 13 13 81 81% true A R false false false false true false false true false false false false
no Pittsburgh Public Schools Pennsylvania 239 239 68 68% false A R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Providence Public School District Rhode Island 312 312 83 83% true A R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Charleston County School District South Carolina 112 112 49 49% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Greenville County Schools South Carolina 47 47 47 47% true E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Sioux Falls School District South Dakota 354 354 39 39% true E R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Memphis City Schools Tennessee 22 22 85 85% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Tennessee 41 41 66 66% false N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Aldine Independent School District Texas 61 61 82 82% false A I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Austin Independent School District Texas 34 34 64 64% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Brownsville Independent School District Texas 91 91 11 11% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District Texas 24 24 47 47% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Dallas Independent School District Texas 15 15 87 87% false E I false false true true false false false false false false false false
no Fort Worth Independent School District Texas 38 38 75 75% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Houston Independent School District Texas 7 7 51 51% true A I false false true true false false false false false false false false
no Northside Independent School District Texas 29 29 52 52% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Granite School District Utah 50 50 52 52% true N P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Burlington School District Vermont 500+ 500+ 47 47% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Fairfax County Public Schools Virginia 12 12 25 25% true E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Norfolk Public Schools Virginia 174 174 64 64% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Prince William County Public Schools Virginia 40 40 35 35% false N I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Richmond City Public Schools Virginia 314 314 70 70% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Virginia Beach City Public Schools Virginia 49 49 30 30% false E I false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Seattle Public Schools Washington 99 99 41 41% true N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Spokane School District Washington 231 231 54 54% false N R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Kanawha County Schools West Virginia 233 233 50 50% true N P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Milwaukee Public Schools Wisconsin 39 39 77 77% true N R false false false false false false false false true false true true
no Laramie School District One Wyoming 500+ 500+ 37 37% true N P false false false false false false false false false false false false

Selected Filters:

Filters

Each filter selection further limits the selected districts. For example, choosing "10 largest" and "NEA Affiliate" will show districts that are among the 10 largest that are also NEA.
 

2. Select Questions

 
  • Calendar
    • School Year
      • STUDENTS: How many days are students in school?
        Question Methodology

        All days on which students are required to come to school (including testing days, early dismissal days, etc.) are counted. This information is pulled from the calendar. Discrepancies between district and state responses to this question are frequently due to the specific wording of the state law; most frequently a state law provides the minimum number of student days but allows districts to have a shorter year as long as districts meet a minimum number of instructional hours in that school year. Another cause for discrepancy may be due to how we calculate the student days based on the information provided in the district calendar.
      • STUDENTS: How many student half-days are listed on the school year calendar?
        Question Methodology

        Includes days such as student early dismissals, early releases, late starts, half-days due to parent/teacher conferences or exams, etc.
      • STUDENTS: How many hours are students scheduled to be in school each year?
        Question Methodology

        If the minimum number of hours students are required to be in school each year is not contained in a district document, then we will respond to this question using the following formula, assuming the data is present in district documents: number of student days in the school year x length student school day.
      • TEACHERS: How many days are teachers in school (excluding paid holidays)?
        Question Methodology

        All days on which teachers are required to be on site / have to report and perform some type of duty (e.g., PD days, teacher-parent conferences) are counted. Only days required for veteran teachers are counted (i.e., any PD or workdays for new teachers are not included). This information is based on the teacher calendar.
      • TEACHERS: How many days is the teacher required to be on-site without students, according to the school year calendar?
        Question Methodology

        Number includes both the number of full days teachers are on-site without students as well as a portion of any partial days on which a teacher is required to be on-site without students (e.g., 0.5 would be added if there is an early release day for students but a teacher is required to remain on site for the full day). Only required days for veteran teachers are counted (i.e., optional workdays and any PD or workdays for new teachers are not included).
      • TEACHERS: What does the district consider the teacher contract year for purposes of calculating the daily rate of pay?
        Question Methodology

        The response here is the number of days as defined as the teacher contract year in the CBA or, in some districts, the salary schedule or other district materials. Note that the number listed here often varies from the number of teacher days on the calendar, asked below.
      • TEACHERS: Does the district consider paid holidays part of its contract year? (see footnote for number of paid holidays counted)
        Question Methodology

        The response below does not take into consideration holidays as listed on the calendar; rather we are looking to determine whether holidays are part of the defined contract year as outlined in the CBA or other district materials.
      • What types of alternate schedules can schools implement?
    • School Day
      • How long is the school day for elementary students?
      • How long is the school day for secondary students?
      • How long is the scheduled workday for teachers? (total time scheduled on-site, including lunch)
      • How much time is the teacher required to be on-site beyond the length of the student day? (This does not include time for meetings)
    • Preparation Time
      • How much planning time does an elementary teacher receive?
      • How much planning time does a secondary teacher receive?
      • How much teacher planning time is designated for collaborative planning?
        Question Methodology

        We are looking for a policy or defined district practice that explicitly provides for collaborative planning time.
      • How many different preparations can a secondary teacher have?
      • What happens if a teacher loses a preparation period?
    • Faculty Meetings
      • How often are faculty meetings held?
      • How much advance notice is required before a principal can hold a faculty meeting?
      • Is the amount of time for a faculty meeting capped?
  • Class Size
    • Class Size Restrictions
      • What is the class size restriction for prekindergarten?
      • What is the class size restriction for kindergarten?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 1?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 2?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 3?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 4?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 5?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 6?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 7?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 8?
      • What is the class size restriction for grades 9-12?
      • What happens when the class size limit is exceeded?
  • Compensation-Fringe Benefits
    • Health Insurance
      • Are any benefits available only to union members?
      • How much of the employee's health insurance premium is paid by the employer?
      • How much of the employee's dependents' health insurance premium is paid by the employer?
    • Pensions/Retirement
      • Is a supplemental pension system available to employees? If so, what is the plan design of the supplemental option?
      • By what date must a teacher give notification that he/she intends to resign or retire?
      • Is there a penalty for a teacher who fails to notify the district that he/she intends to resign/retire by the district's deadline?
    • Life Insurance
      • Does the teacher have to pay for basic life insurance?
      • If basic life insurance is not automatically included in the benefits package, how much is the minimum premium that the teacher has to pay?
    • Tuition Reimbursement
      • Is tuition reimbursement offered to teachers?
      • What is the cap on tuition reimbursement for a single year?
      • Must a course be related to the teacher's current or future assignment or certification to be eligible for tuition reimbursement?
      • Must a course be applied towards a degree to be eligible for tuition reimbursement?
      • Must a course be at the graduate level or does undergraduate coursework also qualify for tuition reimbursement?
      • Must the teacher meet a grade requirement to be eligible for tuition reimbursement?
      • Must the course have been approved by the administration to be eligible for reimbursement?
  • Compensation-Salary
    • Structure of the Salary Schedule
      • What is the average percent increase in pay earned for each additional year of experience?
        Question Methodology

        This question is calculated using the formula (step 2 - step 1) / step 1 for each step of the salary schedule. All responses are then averaged in both the bachelor's and master's lanes (i.e., there are two averages). When the BA lane reaches its maximum salary (i.e., there are no further salary increases) earlier than the MA lane, we will calculate the average increase through the year at which the BA salary maxes out. We do not include the year in which the BA salary maxes out until the year in which the MA salary maxes out, since this increase is 0%.
      • How many years of experience does it take for a teacher with a bachelor's and/or master's degree to reach the maximum salary?
        Question Methodology

        The responses here will note the year in which the BA and MA lanes each reach their maximum salary (i.e., there are no further salary increases). For example, if a district lists the same BA maximum salary for years 20 through 25, our response will reflect 20 years as the answer for the BA lane, despite the fact that the schedule itself lists the same salary through year 25.
      • Teachers in most districts earn a raise for each additional year of experience and an annual adjustment for cost of living and other factors. What is the average annual adjustment? (reported as a percentage of change from the previous year)
        Question Methodology

        This question matches step for step between the current and previous year. The following formula is used (current year - previous year)/previous year. The formula is used for each step and is then averaged across both the bachelor's and master's lanes (i.e., there is only 1 average that accounts for both lanes). When the BA lane reaches its maximum salary (i.e., there are no further salary increases) earlier than the MA lane, we will calculate the average COLA through the year at which the BA salary maxes out and the year the MA salary maxes out. We do not look at the years in the BA column after the salary maxes out.
      • What is the average total change in salary accounting for both earning an additional year of experience and an annual adjustment for cost of living and other factors? (reported as the percentage of change from the previous year)
        Question Methodology

        This question does not match step for step between the current and previous year, rather it looks at step 2 in the current year and step 1 in the previous year. The following formula is used (step 2 from current year - step 1 from previous year / step 1 from previous year. The formula is used for each step and is then averaged across both the bachelor's and master's lanes (i.e., there is only 1 average that accounts for both lanes). When the BA lane reaches its maximum salary (i.e., there are no further salary increases) earlier than the MA lane, we will calculate the average COLA and increase through the year at which the BA salary maxes out and the year at which the MA salary maxes out. We do not look at the years in the BA column after the salary maxes out.
      • How many lanes are on the teacher's salary schedule?
      • What is the average difference between the master's and bachelor's salary?
    • Annual Salary
      • What is the maximum annual salary available to teachers? What are the education requirements for this salary? How many years of experience are required to achieve this salary?
        Question Methodology

        Longevity pay is only included here when it is a part of the salary schedule or has it's own step. If the longevity pay is awarded as a stipend or bonus, separate from or in addition to the step, then that amount is not reflected in the response here.
      • What is the annual salary for a fully certified, first year teacher with a bachelor's degree?
        Question Methodology

        Longevity pay is only included here when it is a part of the salary schedule or has its own step. If the longevity pay is awarded as a stipend or bonus, separate from or in addition to the step, then that amount is not reflected in the response here.
      • What is the annual salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience?
        Question Methodology

        Longevity pay is only included here when it is a part of the salary schedule or has its own step. If the longevity pay is awarded as a stipend or bonus, separate from or in addition to the step, then that amount is not reflected in the response here.
      • What is the annual salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree on the highest step of the salary schedule?
        Question Methodology

        Longevity pay is only included here when it is a part of the salary schedule or has its own step. If the longevity pay is awarded as a stipend or bonus, separate from or in addition to the step, then that amount is not reflected in the response here.
      • What is the annual salary for a fully certified, first year teacher with a master's degree?
        Question Methodology

        Longevity pay is only included here when it is a part of the salary schedule or has its own step. If the longevity pay is awarded as a stipend or bonus, separate from or in addition to the step, then that amount is not reflected in the response here.
      • What is the annual salary for a teacher with a master's degree and 5 years of experience?
        Question Methodology

        Longevity pay is only included here when it is a part of the salary schedule or has its own step. If the longevity pay is awarded as a stipend or bonus, separate from or in addition to the step, then that amount is not reflected in the response here.
      • What is the annual salary for a teacher with a master's degree on the highest step of the salary schedule?
        Question Methodology

        Longevity pay is only included here when it is a part of the salary schedule or has its own step. If the longevity pay is awarded as a stipend or bonus, separate from or in addition to the step, then that amount is not reflected in the response here.
    • Daily Rate of Pay
      • What is the daily on-site rate of pay for a fully certified, first year teacher with a bachelor's degree? (annual salary / teacher work days on calendar)
        Question Methodology

        Daily rate of pay is calculated by dividing the appropriate salary by the number of teacher work days as defined in the calendar section as the number of days on which a teacher must be on site, not the number of contract days.
      • What is the daily on-site rate of pay for a teacher with a bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience? (annual salary / teacher work days on calendar)
        Question Methodology

        Daily rate of pay is calculated by dividing the appropriate salary by the number of teacher work days as defined in the calendar section as the number of days on which a teacher must be on site, not the number of contract days.
      • What is the daily on-site rate of pay for a teacher with a bachelor's degree on the highest step of the salary schedule? (annual salary / teacher work days on calendar)
        Question Methodology

        Daily rate of pay is calculated by dividing the appropriate salary by the number of teacher work days as defined in the calendar section as the number of days on which a teacher must be on site, not the number of contract days.
      • What is the daily on-site rate of pay for a fully certified, first year teacher with a master's degree? (annual salary / teacher work days on calendar)
        Question Methodology

        Daily rate of pay is calculated by dividing the appropriate salary by the number of teacher work days as defined in the calendar section as the number of days on which a teacher must be on site, not the number of contract days.
      • What is the daily on-site rate of pay for a teacher with a master's degree and 5 years of experience? (annual salary / teacher work days on calendar)
        Question Methodology

        Daily rate of pay is calculated by dividing the appropriate salary by the number of teacher work days as defined in the calendar section as the number of days on which a teacher must be on site, not the number of contract days.
      • What is the daily on-site rate of pay for a teacher with a master's degree on the highest step of the salary schedule? (annual salary / teacher work days on calendar)
        Question Methodology

        Daily rate of pay is calculated by dividing the appropriate salary by the number of teacher work days as defined in the calendar section as the number of days on which a teacher must be on site, not the number of contract days.
    • Starting Salary with Prior Work Experience
      • For what types of prior teaching experience can a teacher get credit on the salary schedule?
      • For how many years of experience does a teacher new to the district, but not new to teaching, qualify? (see footnote for differences between types of teaching experience)
      • Can a teacher get credit on the salary schedule for subject-related work experience? How many years of experience are awarded for subject-related experience?
      • Can a teacher get credit on the salary schedule for serving in the military or Peace Corps? How many years of experience are awarded for military or Peace Corps experience?
    • Performance Pay
      • Can a teacher earn additional pay on the basis of performance; if so, how much?
    • Other Differentiated Pay
      • Can a teacher earn additional pay by working in a school classified as "high-needs"?
      • Can a teacher earn additional pay by teaching subjects deemed 'hard to staff'?
        Question Methodology

        A district does not have to specify "hard to staff" to get credit for this response; rather, we look for stipends/bonuses/additional pay provided to teachers for those subjects traditionally deemed as hard to staff (e.g., math, science, special education, foreign languages, bilingual education, ELL, etc.). In addition, if a district specifies any subject area as eligible for additional pay (even in the form of a certification or recruitment bonus, for example), we will record that here.
      • Can a teacher who has National Board certification earn additional pay?
      • Can a teacher receive financial support to cover National Board certification fees?
      • Is any additional compensation available to teachers at schools using improvement models?
        Question Methodology

        Many districts offer increased compensation for teachers in restructured schools, such as pay for extended hours of the schools day and extended days in the school year; annual stipends and bonuses; performance pay; and/or a raise as a percentage of the annual salary or step movement on the salary schedule.
    • Additional Pay for Supplemental Duties
      • What compensation is offered to a teacher who serves as a department head?
        Question Methodology

        We only look at department head pay at the secondary level.
      • What is the annual stipend awarded to a high school head football coach?
      • What is the annual stipend awarded to a high school drama sponsor?
      • Do teachers earn a stipend or credit for attending professional development outside the scheduled workday?
    • General Salary Information
      • Are uncertified teachers paid less than fully certified teachers?
        Question Methodology

        Uncertified refers to emergency or provisional certificates, and we are looking to determine whether there is a difference in pay when teachers with these types of certifications are allowed to be the teacher of record.
      • Can there be a salary freeze if a teacher receives a negative evaluation?
      • After how many year(s) of service is a teacher eligible for a longevity bonus?
  • Dismissal
    • Dismissals
      • What are the consequences if a tenured or annual contract (tenure nonexistent) teacher is deemed unsatisfactory at the end of the formal remediation period?
        Question Methodology

        The formal remediation period refers to the stage of the improvement process which carries with it employment repercussions. Many districts will require or offer other improvement strategies prior to the formal remediation process which NCTQ is not taking into account in this question. The question is directed toward tenured teachers only.
      • What is the process for dismissal of an ineffective teacher?
        Question Methodology

        The question addresses the dismissal process post-remediation, once a recommendation for dismissal has actually been made.
      • Does a district have to cite the causes for not renewing a nontenured contract?
      • Does a nontenured teacher have any recourse if his/her contract is not renewed?
      • Can the decision to dismiss a nontenured teacher during the term of the contract be appealed beyond the district level?
      • By what date must a nontenured teacher be notified of non-renewal of his/her contract?
      • Can the district decide to extend the nontenured period if the principal is uncertain that the teacher should receive tenure?
        Question Methodology

        State law determines if the probationary period can be extended. Unless the district explicitly acknowledges state law, the answer will be issue not addressed.
      • When must a tenured teacher be notified of his/her dismissal?
  • Evaluation
    • Evaluation System
      • What is the teacher required to be evaluated on?
        Question Methodology

        Due to the general lack of uniformity in evaluation criteria, it is impossible to provide a list of all the criteria upon which a teacher might be rated. NCTQ is looking for generalities. So, we are not asking which criteria are used in a classroom observation, just if classroom observations are one of the measures used in an evaluation. Similarly, we are not asking which are the professional responsibilities a teacher might be rated on, just if professional responsibilities is one measure.
      • Do impartial third parties from outside the school serve as evaluators?
        Question Methodology

        NCTQ is interested in knowing if third parties from outside of the school are involved in evaluations. Third parties might be district administrators or district-trained peer evaluators.
      • Is peer review a component of teacher evaluation; what is the nature of the review?
        Question Methodology

        NCTQ is asking if peer educators play an active role in the observation/evaluation process in one of two ways: 1) observation and feedback to the administrator. If the peer educator does rate the teacher, that rating does not directly impact the teacher's final evaluation, or, 2) observation and evaluation of the teacher by a peer educator including a rating that is weighed in the final evaluation.
      • Does the evaluation include student input?
      • What kind of feedback does a teacher receive following a formal observation(s)?
      • Must the teacher receive feedback following an evaluation?
      • How many categories of ratings are there?
        Question Methodology

        NCTQ is interested in knowing the number of overall rating categories. Therefore, if a teacher might be rated one of four categories in each domain or element but receives an overall satisfactory or unsatisfactory, we would answer: 2: satisfactory and unsatisfactory. When there is a discrepancy between district policy and state law, it may be because the state law requirements are not yet effective.
      • Are evaluators required to give notice of an observation?
    • Role of Student Achievement in Teacher Evaluation
      • Must objective student growth/achievement data count towards a teacher's evaluation rating?
      • How is student achievement/growth calculated for teachers of non-tested subjects?
    • Evaluation Requirements for Nontenured Teachers
      • How frequently are nontenured teachers evaluated?
        Question Methodology

        NCTQ is asking about the frequency of evaluations, not observations. The answer options indicate when the required number of evaluations might include a combination of formative and summative evaluations. A summative evaluation will normally result in a final rating which may be used in employment decisions (i.e. dismissals, non-renewals, salary raises or decreases, promotions, etc). When there is a discrepancy between district policy and state law, it may be because the state law requirements are not yet effective.
      • What is the minimum number of times a nontenured teacher must be observed?
        Question Methodology

        NCTQ is asking for the required number of observations. Therefore, it policy states, for example, that a teacher must be formally observed one time with additional informal observations as needed, we will answer one time. When there is a discrepancy between district policy and state law, it may be because the state law requirements are not yet effective.
      • What is the deadline for the first observation of the nontenured teacher?
      • What is the deadline for the final evaluation of the nontenured teacher?
      • What is the required minimum length of an observation for a nontenured teacher?
    • Evaluation Requirements for Tenured Teachers
      • How frequently are tenured teachers evaluated?
        Question Methodology

        NCTQ is asking about the frequency of evaluations, not observations. The answer options indicate when the required number of evaluations might include a combination of formative and summative evaluations. A summative evaluation will normally result in a final rating which may be used in employment decisions (i.e. dismissals, non-renewals, salary raises or decreases, promotions, etc). When there is a discrepancy between district policy and state law, it may be because the state law requirements are not yet effective.
      • What is the minimum number of times a tenured teacher must be observed?
        Question Methodology

        NCTQ is asking for the required number of observations. Therefore, it policy states, for example, that a teacher must be formally observed one time with additional informal observations as needed, we will answer one time. When there is a discrepancy between district policy and state law, it may be because the state law requirements are not yet effective.
      • What is the deadline for the first observation of the tenured teacher?
      • What is the deadline for the final evaluation of the tenured teacher?
      • What is the minimum length of a tenured teacher's observation?
    • Consequences of a Negative Evaluation
      • What are the consequences if a tenured or annual contract (tenure nonexistent) teacher is deemed unsatisfactory at the end of the formal remediation period?
        Question Methodology

        The formal remediation period refers to the stage of the improvement process which carries with it employment repercussions. Many districts will require or offer other improvement strategies prior to the formal remediation process which NCTQ is not taking into account in this question. The question is directed toward tenured teachers only.
      • What elements are specified/required in the remediation policy?
        Question Methodology

        NCTQ is looking for specific requirements. For example, we want to know how many observations are required not just that observations are an element of remediation. We want to know if the timeframe is specified, not just that there should be a timeframe.
      • Can the district decide to extend the nontenured period if the principal is uncertain that the teacher should receive tenure?
        Question Methodology

        State law determines if the probationary period can be extended. Unless the district explicitly acknowledges state law, the answer will be issue not addressed.
      • Can the teacher file a grievance or formally appeal an evaluation rating if there are no acknowledged procedural violations?
        Question Methodology

        NCTQ is asking if there is any procedure a teacher might follow which could result in a change in the evaluation rating. This would not, therefore, include a written response by the teacher that is then placed in the teacher's personnel file but may not impact the evaluation rating.
      • Can a teacher with a negative evaluation voluntarily transfer to another school?
        Question Methodology

        If a teacher on an improvement plan is not allowed to transfer, this is considered evidence that the teacher has had a negative evaluation and is not allowed to transfer.
      • Can there be a salary freeze if a teacher receives a negative evaluation?
      • How long is the remediation period?
        Question Methodology

        NCTQ is referring to the final remediation period which determines future employment. There may, in some cases, be the possibility of an extension of this remediation period, but the question is not in reference to any preliminary assistance that a teacher might receive prior to the formal remediation.
      • Can the results of a negative evaluation ever be removed from a teacher's personnel file?
      • Can a teacher request a second evaluation from a different evaluator?
  • General Employment Provisions
    • General Employment Provisions
      • What is the minimum number of years of experience that a teacher must have in a district before tenure is granted?
      • By what date must a teacher give notification that he/she intends to resign or retire?
      • Is there a management rights clause in the contract?
      • Is there a penalty for a teacher who fails to notify the district that he/she intends to resign/retire by the district's deadline?
    • Working Conditions
      • Does the school district provide legal assistance to teachers sued for actions taken in carrying out their work?
      • Does the school district reimburse for damage to a teacher's property incurred on school grounds? If so, for what amount?
    • Teacher Conduct
      • Is there a dress code for teachers?
    • Personnel File
      • Can the results of a negative evaluation ever be removed from a teacher's personnel file?
    • Student Behavior
      • Does a teacher have the right to remove a disruptive student from the classroom?
      • Do teachers have the right to refuse a student's return to the classroom?
      • Must a teacher be notified of a disruptive student's behavior history?
      • Is corporal punishment permitted?
  • Grievances
    • Grievance Procedure
      • Whom does the teacher meet with in each step of the grievance process?
      • How many formal steps occur in the grievance process?
      • How many days does a teacher have to first file a grievance?
        Question Methodology

        Question is answered in calendar days. Number of school/business days footnoted if district measures grievance procedure with school days.
      • Which party pays for costs related to the grievance process?
      • Is an arbitration or board of education decision concerning a filed grievance final and binding?
    • Teacher Rights in the Grievance Procedure
      • About which areas of the agreement may a teacher not file a grievance?
      • Can the teacher file a grievance or formally appeal an evaluation rating if there are no acknowledged procedural violations?
        Question Methodology

        NCTQ is asking if there is any procedure a teacher might follow which could result in a change in the evaluation rating. This would not, therefore, include a written response by the teacher that is then placed in the teacher's personnel file but may not impact the evaluation rating.
      • What types of grievances qualify for an expedited process?
      • If a teacher takes leave during the grievance process, does he/she suffer a loss of leave or pay?
  • Layoffs
    • Layoffs
      • Must nontenured teachers be laid off before tenured?
      • Aside from program and staffing needs, what are the criteria for laying off tenured teachers?
      • Aside from program and staffing needs, what are the criteria for laying off nontenured teachers?
      • Does a teacher's classroom performance have to be considered when determining which teachers to lay off?
      • When layoffs occur, how is a tie in seniority broken?
      • In the case of a layoff, is seniority determined at the school level or district level?
      • What is the notification deadline for teacher layoffs?
      • When the district needs to hire new teachers, are laid off teachers either given recall rights or preference?
        Question Methodology

        Recall rights guarantees a laid-off teacher the right to be rehired to the same or similar position as it becomes available usually in the inverse order of layoffs. Preference means a teacher receives priority consideration for an opening but is not guaranteed the position.
      • How long does a laid off teacher retain recall rights?
  • Leave
    • Sick & Personal Leave
      • What is the total possible number of paid general leave days (sick, personal, and other days used for personal reasons) a teacher can get each year?
        Question Methodology

        "Other days used for personal reasons" includes leave for imminent death/critically ill family member, weddings, religious observance, bereavement of non-family members, graduation ceremonies, visiting son/daughter's school, and voting. These "other days" DO NOT include leave for bereavement for family members, quarantine, natural disaster, injury/illness on job, or emergency days for disasters or unforeseen circumstances. Leave calculations assume a 10-month work-year.
      • What is the total number of paid sick and personal days a teacher gets each year?
        Question Methodology

        Leave calculations assume a 10 month work year.
      • How many paid sick days is a teacher issued each year?
        Question Methodology

        Leave calculations assume a 10-month work year.
      • How many paid personal days is a teacher issued each year?
      • Can unused sick days carry over from one year to the next?
      • Can unused personal days carry over from one year to the next?
      • What is the maximum number of sick days a teacher can accumulate?
      • Can a teacher donate sick leave to a sick leave bank?
      • After how many days of absence does a teacher have to provide medical documentation for sick leave?
    • Professional Development Leave
      • Is there additional leave for any professional development not already scheduled and required by the district? How much?
        Question Methodology

        Leave for union activities is included as professional development leave.
      • Can a teacher take sabbatical leave?
        Question Methodology

        This type of leave includes both professional and personal enrichment.
      • How many years of service are required for a teacher to be eligible for a sabbatical leave?
      • How much is a teacher paid during sabbatical?
    • Other Leave
      • How much child care leave can teachers take including FMLA and sick leave?
      • Apart from general leave (sick, personal, and other leave for personal reasons), professional development, and maternity leave, what other types of paid leave does the district offer?
    • Attendance Incentives
      • When are leave days restricted or subject to refusal?
      • Can a teacher earn additional pay or leave days for demonstrating good job attendance? How much?
      • Can a teacher receive payment for unused sick leave at the end of each school year? How much?
      • Can a teacher receive payment for unused sick leave at retirement? How much?
      • What is the maximum payment for unused sick leave at retirement for a teacher with a master's degree and 30 years of experience in the district?
  • Professional Development
    • General
      • Do teachers earn a stipend or credit for attending professional development outside the scheduled workday?
    • Mentors
      • Is a mentor available to a new teacher?
      • How long is the mentorship program for a new teacher?
        Question Methodology

        The answer reflects the length of time for which teachers are guaranteed mentors. If mentors are available upon request for an additional amount of time, this is footnoted.
      • Who selects teachers to be mentors?
      • Is it expected that a mentor will have experience in subject area/grade related to the teacher's teaching assignment?
      • What is the minimum number of years of experience a teacher must have to be eligible to be a mentor?
      • Is a mentor paid?
      • Are mentors provided with training?
      • Does a mentor have reduced teaching responsibilities or release time?
      • Does a mentor observe the teacher teaching?
    • Summer Orientation
      • Is there a summer orientation for new teachers?
      • How long is the standard summer orientation that the district provides for new teachers?
    • Leave for Professional Development
      • Is there additional leave for any professional development not already scheduled and required by the district? How much?
        Question Methodology

        Leave for union activities is included as professional development leave.
      • Can a teacher take sabbatical leave?
        Question Methodology

        This type of leave includes both professional and personal enrichment.
      • How many years of service are required for a teacher to be eligible for a sabbatical leave?
      • How much is a teacher paid during sabbatical?
  • School Intervention and Improvement
    • School Intervention and Improvement
      • Is there a waiver or variance provision for portions of or the entire collective bargaining agreement?
        Question Methodology

        Waivers/variances refer to exceptions made to the collective bargaining agreement for a particular school or group of schools. They do not include amendments made to the collective bargaining agreement that affect all teachers district wide.
      • Can the waiver or variance provisions apply to school intervention and improvement?
        Question Methodology

        Waivers and variance provisions that allow for alternative schedules, increases in compensation, different hiring/excessing procedures, and other school-specific changes, can assist schools in improving and creating innovative programs without the need to create new district wide policies.
      • When a school begins the improvement process, what rights does an excessed teacher have in finding a new assignment?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing from restructured schools is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to program changes and school improvement. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
      • Do principals at schools using improvement models have greater leeway in hiring teachers than their counterparts in other schools?
        Question Methodology

        Some districts give greater flexibility and authority to principals at restructured schools. In some districts all teachers, current and new, have to apply and be hired by mutual consent. In others, teachers can transfer in and there are new hires chosen by the school leader.
      • What alternative work schedule options can schools implementing intervention or improvement models employ?
        Question Methodology

        When districts begin school improvment, they often have separate calendar policies for those schools, allowing for flexibility in scheduling instructional time, a longer school day, and/or a longer school year.
      • Is any additional compensation available to teachers at schools using improvement models?
        Question Methodology

        Many districts offer increased compensation for teachers in restructured schools, such as pay for extended hours of the schools day and extended days in the school year; annual stipends and bonuses; performance pay; and/or a raise as a percentage of the annual salary or step movement on the salary schedule.
      • Do teachers in schools using improvement models receive additional hours of professional development?
        Question Methodology

        Many districts that are working to improve and turnaround their persistently lowest achieving schools, will increase the professional development for teachers at those schools.
  • Substitutes
    • Conditions of Substitute Employment
      • What is the minimum education required to be a substitute teacher?
      • Do substitute teachers have to earn a license?
      • Are substitute teachers required to complete pre-service training?
      • Are substitute teachers evaluated?
    • Substitute Pay and Benefits
      • What is the standard daily rate of pay for substitute teachers?
      • Are substitute teachers eligible for health benefits?
      • Apart from health benefits, what other benefits are available to substitute teachers?
      • Are substitute teachers eligible to be members of a collective bargaining unit?
      • If a substitute is hired as a permanent teacher can s/he apply past years of substitute service toward placement on the salary schedules?
    • Long Term Substitutes
      • After how many days is a substitute teacher classified as a 'long-term' substitute?
      • Are long term substitute teachers paid a different rate than the standard daily rate for substitutes?
    • Teachers as Substitutes
      • Do teachers receive compensation when assigned additional students due to the lack of a substitute teacher?
  • Tenure
    • Role of Tenure on Teacher Assignment and Employment
      • What is the minimum number of years of experience that a teacher must have in a district before tenure is granted?
      • Can the district decide to extend the nontenured period if the principal is uncertain that the teacher should receive tenure?
        Question Methodology

        State law determines if the probationary period can be extended. Unless the district explicitly acknowledges state law, the answer will be issue not addressed.
      • How long is the probationary term when a tenured teacher transfers districts within the state?
  • Transfer & Assignment
    • Voluntary Transfers
      • How long does a teacher have to be in a single school before s/he can apply to transfer to another school?
      • Does a teacher seeking a voluntary transfer apply directly to the school?
        Question Methodology

        If teachers apply either directly to a school or through a centralized system that forwards applications directly to schools, the answer is considered "yes." If the district chooses which schools the transfer applications are forwarded to, the answer is considered "no."
      • Can a teacher with a negative evaluation voluntarily transfer to another school?
        Question Methodology

        If a teacher on an improvement plan is not allowed to transfer, this is considered evidence that the teacher has had a negative evaluation and is not allowed to transfer.
      • Can a teacher apply to transfer to a different school before he/she achieves tenure?
      • Are principals and/or site selection committees allowed to interview voluntary transfer applicants?
      • Are principals and/or site selection committees allowed to select voluntary transfer applicants to hire? If not, then how are voluntary transfers assigned to schools?
      • Do principals have access to a teacher's evaluation ratings as part of his/her transfer application?
    • Identifying Involuntary Transfers Due to Excessing
      • Are teachers identified for excessing in reverse order of seniority?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
      • Other than seniority, what factors does the district use to identify teachers for excessing?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
      • Which teaching positions are protected from excessing?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
      • Can a teacher with a negative evaluation be excessed?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
      • Separate from excessing, does the district allow school or district administrators to involuntarily transfer a teacher to another school? If so, for what reasons is he/she allowed to initiate such a transfer?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
    • Placing Excessed Teachers
      • When a school begins the improvement process, what rights does an excessed teacher have in finding a new assignment?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing from restructured schools is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to program changes and school improvement. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
      • Do principals at schools using improvement models have greater leeway in hiring teachers than their counterparts in other schools?
        Question Methodology

        Some districts give greater flexibility and authority to principals at restructured schools. In some districts all teachers, current and new, have to apply and be hired by mutual consent. In others, teachers can transfer in and there are new hires chosen by the school leader.
      • Can excessed teachers apply to an unlimited number of positions?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
      • Are principals and/or site selection committees allowed to interview excessed transfer applicants?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
      • Are principals and/or site selection committees allowed to select excessed transfer applicants to hire? If not, then how are excessed teachers assigned to schools?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
      • Do principals have the right to refuse the assignment of an excessed teacher to their schools?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
      • Do excessed teachers have the right to refuse a school assignment?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
      • What happens to excessed teachers who cannot find new assignments?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
    • Role of Seniority
      • Do teachers with more seniority have greater choice in their in-school assignments?
      • Do more senior teachers who voluntarily transfer have greater choice in their school placement than less senior teachers?
      • Do more senior teachers who have been excessed have greater choice in their school placement than less senior teachers?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
      • If excessed teachers are assigned by the district, does the district consider a teacher's seniority when assigning him/her to a new school?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
    • Timeline for Transfers
      • When does the district invite and place voluntary transfers?
      • When does the district notify and place excessed teachers?
        Question Methodology

        Excessing is the process by which teachers are displaced from individual schools due to under-enrollment, program changes, and/or budget constraints. It is not necessarily synonymous with a reduction in force (i.e. layoffs), though this is a possible outcome in some districts in the event that positions cannot be found for excessed teachers.
      • Are internal transfers given priority over new hires for vacant positions?
      • Which type of transfer is placed first: voluntary or excessed?
    • General
      • How does the district select teachers for summer school assignments?
      • Is there a management rights clause in the contract?
  • Union Rights and Privileges
    • Union Role
      • Must a principal or school administrator meet with union representatives on a regular basis?
      • Do union presidents continue to accrue seniority from the district while on leave?
      • Do union presidents receive any compensation from the district (salary/benefits) while on leave?
        Question Methodology

        The answer is considered "yes" regardless of whether the district, union, or individual teacher provides a salary and/or benefits. The source of compensation is noted in the answer if available.
      • After a union official has served in a leadership role in the union and taken leave from his/her district, can s/he return to his/her previous position in the district?
      • Is some time at faculty meetings required to be allotted to union matters?
      • Is leave available for a teacher to attend union associated activities (not counting leave given to elected union representatives)?
      • Who pays for a substitute when a teacher attends union functions (if that teacher is not an elected union representative)?
      • Does a teacher who is a union representative have fewer school related responsibilities than other teachers?
    • Waivers
      • Is there a waiver or variance provision for portions of or the entire collective bargaining agreement?
        Question Methodology

        Waivers/variances refer to exceptions made to the collective bargaining agreement for a particular school or group of schools. They do not include amendments made to the collective bargaining agreement that affect all teachers district wide.
      • Do teachers have a vote in a request for a waiver?
        Question Methodology

        Waivers/variances refer to exceptions made to the collective bargaining agreement for a particular school or group of schools. They do not include amendments made to the collective bargaining agreement that affect all teachers district wide.
      • What requirements must be met for a waiver to be approved?
        Question Methodology

        Waivers/variances refer to exceptions made to the collective bargaining agreement for a particular school or group of schools. They do not include amendments made to the collective bargaining agreement that affect all teachers district wide.
      • How long is a waiver in effect?
        Question Methodology

        Waivers/variances refer to exceptions made to the collective bargaining agreement for a particular school or group of schools. They do not include amendments made to the collective bargaining agreement that affect all teachers district wide.
      • Can a waiver be renewed?
        Question Methodology

        Waivers/variances refer to exceptions made to the collective bargaining agreement for a particular school or group of schools. They do not include amendments made to the collective bargaining agreement that affect all teachers district wide.

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no Alabama P false false false false false false false false false true false false
no Alaska R false false false false false false false true true true true false
no Arizona P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Arkansas P false false false true false false false false false true true true
no California R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Colorado P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Connecticut R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Delaware R true true true true true false true false false false true false
no District of Columbia R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Florida R true true true false false false false false true true true true
no Georgia I false false false false false false false false true true true true
no Hawaii R false true false true true true true true false true false false
no Idaho P true true true true false false false false false false false false
no Illinois R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Indiana R true true true true false false false false false true true true
no Iowa R false true true true false false false false false false false false
no Kansas R false true false false false false false false false true false false
no Kentucky P true true true true true true false true true true true true
no Louisiana P false false false true false false false true true true false true
no Maine R true true true true false false false false false false false false
no Maryland R false false false false false false false false true true false false
no Massachusetts R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Michigan R false false false false false false false false false true true true
no Minnesota R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Mississippi P false false false false false false false false false true false true
no Missouri P false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Montana R true true true true false false false false true true false true
no Nebraska R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Nevada R false true true true false false false false false false false false
no New Hampshire R true true true true false true false false true false false false
no New Jersey R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no New Mexico R false false true true true false false false false false false false
no New York R false true false false false false false false false false false false
no North Carolina I false false false false false false false false false true false false
no North Dakota R true true true true true false false false true false false false
no Ohio P true true false false false false false false false false false false
no Oklahoma R true true true true false true false true true true true false
no Oregon R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Pennsylvania R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Rhode Island R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no South Carolina I false false false false false false false false true false true false
no South Dakota R true true true true false false true false false false false false
no Tennessee R false false false false false false false false false true true true
no Texas I false true false false false false false false false false false false
no Utah P true true false true false false false false false false false false
no Vermont R true true false false false false false false false false false false
no Virginia I false false false false false false false false false false true true
no Washington R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no West Virginia P true true true true false true true true false false false false
no Wisconsin R false false false false false false false false false false false false
no Wyoming P true true true true false false false false true true true false

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  • Calendar
    • School Year
      • STUDENTS: How many days are students in school?
      • STUDENTS: How many student half-days are listed on the school year calendar?
      • STUDENTS: How many hours are students scheduled to be in school each year?
      • TEACHERS: How many days are teachers in school (excluding paid holidays)?
      • TEACHERS: How many days is the teacher required to be on-site without students, according to the school year calendar?
    • School Day
      • How long is the school day for elementary students?
      • How long is the school day for secondary students?
      • How long is the scheduled workday for teachers? (total time scheduled on-site, including lunch)
    • Preparation Time
      • How much planning time does an elementary teacher receive?
      • How much planning time does a secondary teacher receive?
  • Class Size
    • Class Size Restrictions
      • What is the class size restriction for prekindergarten?
      • What is the class size restriction for kindergarten?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 1?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 2?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 3?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 4?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 5?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 6?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 7?
      • What is the class size restriction for grade 8?
      • What is the class size restriction for grades 9-12?
      • What happens when the class size limit is exceeded?
  • Compensation-Fringe Benefits
    • Pensions/Retirement
      • What type of primary pension system is mandatory for new teachers?
      • Is a supplemental pension system available to employees? If so, what is the plan design of the supplemental option?
      • By what date must a teacher give notification that he/she intends to resign or retire?
      • Is there a penalty for a teacher who fails to notify the district that he/she intends to resign/retire by the district's deadline?
      • How many years must a new teacher work before becoming vested?
      • Are teachers able to purchase service time to apply towards their pension for prior teaching experience?
      • Are teachers able to purchase service time to apply toward their pensions for leaves of absence?
      • What is the current employee contribution rate for teachers' pensions?
      • What is the current employer contribution rate for teachers' pensions?
      • Who pays the employer contribution?
    • Tuition Reimbursement
      • Is tuition reimbursement offered to teachers?
      • What is the cap on tuition reimbursement for a single year?
      • Must a course be related to the teacher's current or future assignment or certification to be eligible for tuition reimbursement?
      • Must a course be applied towards a degree to be eligible for tuition reimbursement?
      • Must a course be at the graduate level or does undergraduate coursework also qualify for tuition reimbursement?
      • Must the teacher meet a grade requirement to be eligible for tuition reimbursement?
      • Must the course have been approved by the administration to be eligible for reimbursement?
  • Compensation-Salary
    • Structure of the Salary Schedule
      • What is the average percent increase in pay earned for each additional year of experience?
      • How many years of experience does it take for a teacher with a bachelor's and/or master's degree to reach the maximum salary?
      • How many lanes are on the teacher's salary schedule?
      • What is the average difference between the master's and bachelor's salary?
    • Annual Salary
      • What is the maximum annual salary available to teachers? What are the education requirements for this salary? How many years of experience are required to achieve this salary?
      • What is the annual salary for a fully certified, first year teacher with a bachelor's degree?
      • What is the annual salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience?
      • What is the annual salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree on the highest step of the salary schedule?
      • What is the annual salary for a fully certified, first year teacher with a master's degree?
      • What is the annual salary for a teacher with a master's degree and 5 years of experience?
      • What is the annual salary for a teacher with a master's degree on the highest step of the salary schedule?
    • Starting Salary with Prior Work Experience
      • For what types of prior teaching experience can a teacher get credit on the salary schedule?
      • Can a teacher get credit on the salary schedule for subject-related work experience? How many years of experience are awarded for subject-related experience?
      • Can a teacher get credit on the salary schedule for serving in the military or Peace Corps? How many years of experience are awarded for military or Peace Corps experience?
    • Performance Pay
      • Can a teacher earn additional pay on the basis of performance; if so, how much?
    • Other Differentiated Pay
      • Can a teacher earn additional pay by working in a school classified as "high-needs"?
      • Can a teacher earn additional pay by teaching subjects deemed 'hard to staff'?
      • Can a teacher who has National Board certification earn additional pay?
      • Can a teacher receive financial support to cover National Board certification fees?
    • General Salary Information
      • Is there a statewide salary schedule or minimum salary?
      • Can there be a salary freeze if a teacher receives a negative evaluation?
      • Are teachers eligible for a longevity bonus and if so, after how many year(s)?
  • Dismissal
    • Dismissals
      • Does policy make a connection between unsatisfactory performance evaluation and possible teacher dismissal?
      • Can a tenured teacher appeal a dismissal decision beyond the school district?
      • Are there any circumstances where probationary teachers have due process rights?
      • Are multiple appeals permitted for tenured teacher dismissal?
      • Does policy define teacher ineffectiveness?
      • What is the process for dismissal of an ineffective teacher?
      • Does a district have to cite the causes for not renewing a nontenured contract?
      • By what date must a nontenured teacher be notified of non-renewal of his/her contract?
      • Can the district decide to extend the nontenured period if the principal is uncertain that the teacher should receive tenure?
      • When must a tenured teacher be notified of his/her dismissal?
  • Evaluation
    • Evaluation System
      • What is the teacher required to be evaluated on?
      • Is there a statewide teacher evaluation instrument?
      • Must evaluations include peer review?
      • Must evaluations include student input?
      • What kind of feedback does a teacher receive following a formal observation(s)?
      • Must the teacher receive feedback following an evaluation?
      • How many categories of ratings are there?
      • Are evaluators required to give notice of an observation?
    • Role of Student Achievement in Teacher Evaluation
      • Must a teacher show evidence of student achievement to pass the evaluation?
      • Must objective measurements of student achievement, such as standardized test results, be factored into teacher evaluations?
    • Evaluation Requirements for Nontenured Teachers
      • How frequently are nontenured teachers evaluated?
      • What is the minimum number of times a nontenured teacher must be observed?
      • What is the deadline for the first observation of the nontenured teacher?
      • What is the deadline for the final evaluation of the nontenured teacher?
      • What is the required minimum length of an observation for a nontenured teacher?
    • Evaluation Requirements for Tenured Teachers
      • How frequently are tenured teachers evaluated?
      • What is the minimum number of times a tenured teacher must be observed?
      • What is the deadline for the first observation of the tenured teacher?
      • What is the deadline for the final evaluation of the tenured teacher?
      • What is the minimum length of a tenured teacher's observation?
    • Consequences of a Negative Evaluation
      • Does policy make a connection between unsatisfactory performance evaluation and possible teacher dismissal?
      • What elements are specified/required in the remediation policy?
      • Does policy define teacher ineffectiveness?
      • Can the district decide to extend the nontenured period if the principal is uncertain that the teacher should receive tenure?
      • Can the teacher file a grievance or formally appeal an evaluation rating if there are no acknowledged procedural violations?
      • Can there be a salary freeze if a teacher receives a negative evaluation?
      • How long is the remediation period?
      • Can a teacher request a second evaluation from a different evaluator?
  • General Employment Provisions
    • General Employment Provisions
      • What is the minimum number of years of experience that a teacher must have in a district before tenure is granted?
      • By what date must a teacher give notification that he/she intends to resign or retire?
      • Is there a penalty for a teacher who fails to notify the district that he/she intends to resign/retire by the district's deadline?
    • Student Behavior
      • Does a teacher have the right to remove a disruptive student from the classroom?
      • Do teachers have the right to refuse a student's return to the classroom?
      • Must a teacher be notified of a disruptive student's behavior history?
      • Is corporal punishment permitted?
  • Grievances
    • Grievance Procedure
      • Whom does the teacher meet with in each step of the grievance process?
      • How many formal steps occur in the grievance process?
      • Which party pays for costs related to the grievance process?
      • Is an arbitration or board of education decision concerning a filed grievance final and binding?
    • Teacher Rights in the Grievance Procedure
      • Can the teacher file a grievance or formally appeal an evaluation rating if there are no acknowledged procedural violations?
  • Layoffs
    • Layoffs
      • What criteria are used to determine the order of layoffs?
      • Does a teacher's classroom performance have to be considered when determining which teachers to lay off?
      • When layoffs occur, how is a tie in seniority broken?
      • In the case of a layoff, is seniority determined at the school level or district level?
      • What is the notification deadline for teacher layoffs?
      • What is the policy for rehiring laid off teachers?
      • How long does a laid off teacher retain recall rights?
  • Leave
    • Sick & Personal Leave
      • How many paid sick days is a teacher issued each year?
      • How many paid personal days is a teacher issued each year?
      • Can unused sick days carry over from one year to the next?
      • Can unused personal days carry over from one year to the next?
      • What is the maximum number of sick days a teacher can accumulate?
      • Can a teacher donate sick leave to a sick leave bank?
      • After how many days of absence does a teacher have to provide medical documentation for sick leave?
    • Professional Development Leave
      • Is there additional leave for any professional development not already scheduled and required by the district? How much?
      • Can a teacher take sabbatical leave?
      • How many years of service are required for a teacher to be eligible for a sabbatical leave?
      • How much is a teacher paid during sabbatical?
    • Other Leave
      • How much child care leave can teachers take including FMLA and sick leave?
      • Apart from general leave (sick, personal, and other leave for personal reasons), professional development, and maternity leave, what other types of paid leave does the district offer?
    • Attendance Incentives
      • When are leave days restricted or subject to refusal?
      • Can a teacher earn additional pay or leave days for demonstrating good job attendance? How much?
      • Can a teacher receive payment for unused sick leave at the end of each school year? How much?
      • Can a teacher receive payment for unused sick leave at retirement? How much?
  • Professional Development
    • Mentors
      • Is a mentor available to a new teacher?
      • How long is the mentorship program for a new teacher?
      • Who selects teachers to be mentors?
      • Is it expected that a mentor will have experience in subject area/grade related to the teacher's teaching assignment?
      • What is the minimum number of years of experience a teacher must have to be eligible to be a mentor?
      • Is a mentor paid?
      • Are mentors provided with training?
      • Does a mentor have reduced teaching responsibilities or release time?
      • Does a mentor observe the teacher teaching?
    • Leave for Professional Development
      • Is there additional leave for any professional development not already scheduled and required by the district? How much?
      • Can a teacher take sabbatical leave?
      • How many years of service are required for a teacher to be eligible for a sabbatical leave?
      • How much is a teacher paid during sabbatical?
  • Substitutes
    • Conditions of Substitute Employment
      • What is the minimum education required to be a substitute teacher?
      • Do substitute teachers have to earn a license?
      • If a substitute has to earn a license as a condition of employment, how long is the license valid?
      • If a substitute's license must be renewed, what are the requirements for renewal?
      • Are substitute teachers subject to a criminal background check as a condition of employment?
      • How many days in a school year can a substitute teach?
  • Tenure
    • Role of Tenure on Teacher Assignment and Employment
      • What is the minimum number of years of experience that a teacher must have in a district before tenure is granted?
      • Can the district decide to extend the nontenured period if the principal is uncertain that the teacher should receive tenure?
      • What happens to teacher tenure status when transferring between districts in the same state?
  • Transfer & Assignment
    • Timeline for Transfers
      • When does the district invite and place voluntary transfers?
      • When does the district notify and place excessed teachers?
      • Are internal transfers given priority over new hires for vacant positions?
      • Which type of transfer is placed first: voluntary or excessed?

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