Tighter tenure law greets New York's newest teachers
NYSUT plans training on student data use and implications for peer review
Taking part in a NYSUT seminar on "making data work" are, seated from left: Anthony Grice of Newburgh, Sheri Hunter of Eastern Upstate Teacher Center and Julie Hutt of Roslyn. Standing are Debbie Kardas of Poughkeepsie and Stephanie Dash of Troy. Photo by El-Wise Noisette.
It's a whole new tenure review process for teachers whose probationary period began on or after July 1.
Under a new statewide law that sets minimum requirements, the tenure determination process for teachers providing instructional services in school districts and BOCES must now include:
- an evaluation of the extent to which the teacher successfully uses analysis of available student performance data and other relevant information when providing instruction;
- peer review by other teachers, "as far as practicable"; and
- an assessment of the teacher's performance by the building administrator.
NYSUT successfully pushed for amendments to the new law to prohibit school districts and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services from using student test scores to grant or deny tenure.
The union also successfully fought to change the effective date, which would have created widespread confusion if applied to teachers already in the tenure process.
Now, the new standards apply only to teachers whose probationary period began on or after July 1 of this year.
NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira noted the process for evaluating teachers remains a mandatory subject of collective bargaining.
Both NYSUT and the State Education Department agree that "as far as practicable" means that peer review by other teachers can occur only when collectively bargained.
NYSUT's Educational Services department is planning a one-day seminar in December to provide research-based information on peer review and implications for collective bargaining to teams from interested locals.
The union will share examples where some locals have negotiated peer review programs that contribute to a two-way, more supportive induction and mentoring process.
Neira said professional development will be needed so teachers can learn the best ways to analyze and use student test data to improve instruction.
Over the summer NYSUT's Education & Learning Trust and the American Federation of Teachers offered data training. More will be scheduled.
NYSUT has posted an information bulletin on tenure at www.nysut.org, under the Resources section. The law sunsets in two years, meaning the Legislature may revisit it in 2010.
— Sylvia Saunders