This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
Here is a link to a document that was posted on a members-only portion of the teachers’ union site.
Highlights after a quick read (UPDATED 2:15 p.m.):
— 3 percent raises on September 1, 2010 and again on January 1, 2012 – just two across-the-board raises in a three-year agreement.
— introduction of a "value-added compensation system" under which teachers in schools that "have experienced the highest level of student growth" will get extra money. This is contingent on funding, and will start in 2011. Teachers in the top quarter of the highest-performing "High Needs Schools" and in the top 10 percent of the top performing "Non High Needs Schools" will also get additional compensation.
— an end to the 30-year-old commitment to have racially balanced faculties in all schools
— site selection of teachers expanded to all "High Needs Schools" – schools in Corrective Action II under No Child Left Behind as well as schools that fall in the bottom tenth on the District’s "School Performance Index." New language calls for the principal and staff selection committee to "reach consensus on the most qualfied candidate for each position," or failing that, for the principal to select one of the three top-rated candidates.
-a Masters’ Degree Partnership program in "High Needs Schools" proving tuition reimbursement at a rate of $400 per credit for up to $2,400 per year starting in July.
-a $7,500 annual bonus for National Board-certified teachers, up from $3,500.
– a new "Peer Assistance and Review" program for teacher evaluation and support, mandatory for tenured teachers who have been rated unsatisfactory and phased in at schools as a mandatory program for new teachers not tenured in Pennsylvania.
-a provision treating all staff at Renaissance Schools as "forced transfers," allowing up to 50 percent of those teachers to reapply through a site selection process. Teachers at Renaissance Schools "may be expected to work up to one hour longer per day" as well up to two Saturdays per month and up to 22 days in July. Teachers will be compensated for the extra days and hours at their usual rate.
– a mandate to maintain student- counselor ratios at 150:1 in middle schools and 200:1 in high schools.
UPDATED 9:45 p.m.: The contract was ratified.