#1 (2007-08), August 16, 2007  

Good Morning,

As August reaches its midpoint and as hundreds of our members continue their voluntary TERC II training in dozens of classrooms throughout the city, we are compelled to mention once again the rules of PDP certificates. The BTU contract is unequivocally clear on the receipt of PDP certificates: "Teachers will receive a PDP certificate at the end of the school year for all time spent in professional development activities."

We mention this again because the math department is insisting that our people have to do homework to obtain the certificate. That's not what our contract states (above), and we will file a grievance for those who are denied their certificates. (Anyone denied a PDP certificate should email Mike McLaughlin at mmclaughlin@btu.org .) All are reminded to obtain a certificate of attendance at the training whether or not they also receive a PDP certificate.

That's also not what state law says (See here , page 11.)

"PDPs may also be awarded after an educator has demonstrated proficiency in a professional skill. Courses, seminars or institutes related to classroom work or school and district management issues must include an appropriate end-of-course assessment. In most instances, this will mean an observable demonstration of learning that could include a written product or other documentable product."

What is a 'documentable product'?

A spokesperson from the AFTMA (formerly the Mass Federation of Teachers), who monitors these matters  for AFTMA teachers throughout the commonwealth, avers that state law allows many activities, other than homework, to so qualify time spent as PDP-worthy. He said, giving one example, that teachers who use TERC II as part of their classroom math instruction may be able to use their school-year lesson planning as 'a documentable product.'

The long and the short of it is, we will file a grievance (please contact Mike), and we also think the school department is wrong in its interpretation. But whether we are right or not in the interpretation of state law, we do have a contract with the school department. And the school department does have an obligation to provide people who partake in professional development with a PDP-certificate.

Here's another thing for the department to think about: Our teachers who are volunteering their time in this activity are doing the school department a FAVOR by spending a week in the summer doing PD. They don't have to be there.

Incidentally, the town of Brookline has dropped TERC, opting not to go with its successor, TERC II. In making its decision, the school department embraced a give and take process, reviewed alternatives, and after lengthy due diligence that included discussions with teachers and other professionals, the folks in Brookline decided that there were better alternatives. We're not stating that Brookline made a good decision or bad - but the town did at least develop what appears to be an inclusionary process of investigating the curriculum's pros and cons. Why is it in Boston there was no process-no debate, no discussion whatsoever-when the math department decided to go to TERC II? And if there was a process, who knew about it? Who had input? Or was it a financial decision only?

The peer assistant position is now posted, and the posting is open ended, depending on the steadiness of the stream of applicants. Briefly, the peer assistant position is a full time BTU position designed to assist and work with teachers who voluntarily seek help in improving their performance. The PA program is separate from the performance evaluation process, and participation is voluntary. The program is managed by a committee comprised of two BPS-selected members and three BTU-selected members. Each PA will work with 12 teachers at any one time. Mike McLaughlin ( mmclaughlin@btu.org ) is the BTU contact on our end.

The peer assistance promises to be a challenging but rewarding job for people who have that special knack for working with and helping those people who need assistance in improving their craft.

Anyone who has received either an interim or an overall performance evaluation of Does Not Meet Standards should contact either Michael ( mmclaughlin@btu.org ) or Caren Carew ( ccarew@btu.org ,). Please do not procrastinate in doing so.

To those working in Superintendent's Schools: The BTU & BPS negotiated a mandatory additional hour per day (beginning school year 2007-08) with a minimum 80% of this time used for direct instruction and the balance of the time may be used for professional development, meetings, advisory, common planning time, or class time. Teachers also must work an additional 20 hours of professional development per year (in addition to the existing 18 hours and full professional days everyone in BPS works). The aforementioned time is at each individual teacher's own rate of pay and is retirement worthy.

In Superintendent's Schools there is no other mandatory work time negotiated, nor is their any further work time required beyond what is mentioned above. It has come to our attention that some Superintendent's Schools are semi-requiring (or urging, coaxing, quasi-forcing) teachers to sign up for additional committees after the regular school hours and state some of this time may be paid (although the amount often is not spelled out). None of this type of work is mandatory. No one is compelled to participate. If someone chooses to do so, like everything else, they may. This info just serves as a clarification of what is required contractually and what is not. If you are working in a Superintendent's School and are being mandated to work beyond what has been outlined as mandatory (an additional hour per day beginning SY 2007-08 as well as an additional 20 hours of professional development), then please contact Caren Carew ccarew@btu.org or Mike McLaughlin mmclaughlin@btu.org .

Professional Development Opportunity

Paraprofessionals with an associate's degree interested in a baccalaureate degree; and Teachers with a baccalaureate degree interested in a master's degree in Early Childhood/Early Intervention leading to licensure PreK-2 may be eligible for full tuition and fee support at the University of Massachusetts Boston . For more information, please visit http://includingallchildren.wikispaces.com and http://communityinclusion.org/iac or contact Jorgelina Abbate-Vaughn as jorgelina.abbate@umb.edu

Making Data Work for You

Presenters:  Al Bird, Denise Henderson and Kristen Pinto

Saturdays:  9/29, 10/13 and 10/27

Time:  8AM - 12PM

Location:  Boston Teachers Union

Contact:  kpinto@boston.k12.ma.us

Reserve your seat early as space is limited.

Looking for Candlepin Bowlers!

Want to have some fun and a little exercise? The School Personnel Bowling League starts on Monday, September 10, 2007 at Boston Bowl on Morrissey Blvd. in Dorchester at 3:45 PM . There are cash prizes and a bowling banquet in May. Please plan to join us! All levels of bowlers are welcome. Contact Sandy at 781-340-6281 or Judy at 781-961-5450.

Good Cause at the Connolly Library in Jamaica Plain

Our friends at the Connolly Library in Jamaica Plain wish to announce that their annual book sale is approaching. The book sale will be held the same day as the Jamaica Plain Worlds Fair. It will be held on the steps of the library on 433 Centre Street , September 9, 2007 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm . The library is accepting donations now and we look forward to seeing lots of BTU folks at the sale. This is a very worthy cause, and many of our JP teachers bring their classes there. If you have any books to donate, please do so.

Birth Announcement
Josefina Lascano, paraprofessional at the Edison Middle School , wishes to announce the birth of her grandchild, Gianna Mackenzie Vara, born July 22nd to her daughter, Liz Lascano-Vara, who is a teacher at the Sarah Greenwood and her son-in-law, Miguel Vara. Congratulations

Obituary

We are very sorry to announce the sudden passing of Robert Lerro, a long-time teacher and baseball and football coach at South Boston High School . Bob was a good friend and colleague to many of us. He will be sorely missed. He leaves three children, Joseph Pano, Shandralee Lerro, and Robert Ernest Lerro. We extend our condolences to his friends, family, and colleagues.

We also are very sorry to announce the passing of Eileen Connors, formerly a teacher at Boston Latin Academy . She was buried last Thursday morning July 26th.  She will be dearly missed by her family ,friends, and colleagues. We extend our condolences.

Richard Stutman
President
Boston Teachers Union
617-288-2000
richardstutman@comcast.net (home)

TOP