January 16, 2011

TEACHER DATA REPORTS
The UFT has filed an appeal to Judge Cynthia Kern’s decision to allow the DOE to release the TDRs to the public.
There are many teachers who have reported that their TDRs have errors, such as incorrect grades/subjects taught, and the wrong students. Please check your TDRs and note the following:
1. Errors in TDRs should be reported to TDRreports@uft.org or teachers should call the UFT TDR Hotline at (212) 598-6860. Inform me if there are any errors.

2. Teachers have been assigned to one of four groups to verify their class lists. Assignments are based on a teacher’s birthdate.

3. There is a DOE hotline for problems. You can call (718) 935-4000 and press #6 for the Teacher Data Initiative. You can e-mail TDIsupport@schools.nyc.gov.
The UFT met with the DOE on January 3 to discuss the verification process for the TDRs. The UFT demanded the DOE inform principals that time is needed to be given to the teachers during the school day, as well as access to computers, for teachers to verify the data.

Your TDR can not be used against you. If you are disciplined, punished or harmed in any way by the results of your TDR, or by the release of it, contact the UFT.

PAPERWORK
Please provide me with samples of the paperwork which you must do. Please give them to me by January 20.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS
More than 600 teachers who have to provide proof of completion of 175 hours of professional development by the end of June received notification and a tracking form from the New York City Department of Education. These teachers received their state certificate(s) on Sept. 1, 2005 or Feb. 1, 2006 and will reach the first five-year professional development cycle of 175 hours on June 30, 2011. These teachers should follow the directions in the letter and submit the tracking form by June 17. Questions and concerns should be directed to the educational liaisons in the UFT borough offices. More details will be in the Jan. 20 edition of the New York Teacher.

CHECK YOUR FILE
Check your file at least yearly to point out and remove old letters in your personnel file. Our contract provides that any letter over three years old should be removed if no disciplinary charges are attached to that letter. If you have not done so recently, make an appointment to see their file and flag files for removal.

SPECIAL EDUCATION CHANGES
In a cost-cutting measure that the UFT maintained would hurt students, the regents voted to change state regulations, effective Dec. 8, 2010, to eliminate minimum service requirements for speech and language services. The new state regulations also allow schools to add an additional 13th student with a disability to a collaborative team teaching (now called integrated co-teaching or ICT) class by notifying the State Education Department and to add a 14th student to a ICT class only with prior approval by the State Education Department.
The State Education Department issued implementation guidelines. Here are the highlights:

• Most students will continue to require speech services at least two 30-minute sessions a week.
• Students who need speech less than twice a week are now eligible for services.
• Consultations and other indirect services are not considered “related service” to the student.
• Schools cannot unilaterally reduce the frequency of services, nor can they make service decisions solely on factors such as budget, staffing or administrative convenience.
• Schools must begin the school year with no more than 12 students in ICT classes.
• Schools can exceed the maximum of 12 students with disabilities in ICT classes “only when exceptional circumstances arise.”
• Schools may not routinely apply for waivers.

A city DOE memo reinforced these state guidelines along with existing rules regarding the composition of ICT classes in New York City public schools. The DOE memo states that “NYC will continue to adhere to its policy, whereby the maximum number of students receiving ICT services in a class cannot exceed 40% of the total register of the ICT class.” It also states that the addition of a 13th student to an ICT class “should be used infrequently.”
The DOE will not implement the new procedures until the state Ed Department has created new variance forms and directions, which will be posted on the UFT website as soon as they become available.

SAFETY
Be sure to secure your handbags, purses, etc., and always lock the door whenever you leave the classroom. This will also prevent students from entering an empty classroom where they can either take things and/or injure themselves. Keep cleaning chemicals locked up where the children can’t get to them.
If you are threatened, assaulted or injured in any way by a student, parent, intruder, etc. be sure to fill out a UFT Safety Report in addition to the DOE reports.
Please be reminded that it is not advisable to remain in the building without the presence of the school safety agent.

PARKING PERMIT #6 IS MISSING!
If you have it, stop playing games and return it immediately. If not, I will notify the DOT that the pass has been stolen, and you will deserve the ticket that you receive for using it!