November 27, 2009

Salary Update:

The DCSB continues to meet in the “shade’ in order to try to resolve salary issues for all DTU units (Paraprofessionals, Teachers, UOPD). The next “shade” meeting is scheduled for November 30, 2009. DTU will keep you posted as soon as the School Board has a salary proposal for the bargaining table.

Certification:

The DCSB Certification Office has recently contacted teachers via email regarding their out-of-field status. If you have been identified as out-of-field, please begin immediately to meet the certification requirements. If you have questions or feel a mistake has been made, don’t hesitate to contact your staff consultant at the DTU office (396-4063) and Kella Grant in certification (390-2430). Remember certification is controlled by the State of Florida. Failure to meet certification requirements will result in job termination.

Classroom Observations:

DTU has been alerted to a number of “observation” forms being used at the schools to observe teachers. The TAI is the only official observation form for teachers. If any such “observation” forms are surfacing at your school and they are being used by someone other than an administrator, please provide your DTU staff consultant with a copy of the form. Please remember that only administrators may observe employees.

Paraprofessional Academy:

The next two sessions scheduled for the Paraprofessional Academy at DTU are cited below. Remember, these classes are to prepare paraprofessionals in Title I and Non-Title I schools to become highly qualified. Assessments are provided at the end of each session. If the paraprofessionals pass the assessments, they become highly qualified and don’t have to take the Para-Pro Test. Please call the DTU office to register for the classes. The scheduled sessions are as follows:

Session I: Reading and Math:   

January 25, 2010 - January 29, 2010 and February 8, 2010 - February 12, 2010

Session II: Reading and Math:

February 22, 2010 - February 26, 2010 and March 8, 2010 - March 12, 2010

 

Paperwork:

The paperwork Committee will be reconvening shortly. Please forward all school-based or district-based paperwork that you feel is excessive, unnecessary, or duplicated  to your DTU staff consultant. (Fax- 396-9389)

DTU Surveys:

Please respond to the two teacher DTU surveys, as applicable, that have been sent your way via email links. We know that you are all very busy, but your input is needed.

Florida Education Association Survey on Public Education Reform      and Middle / High School Teacher Schedule Survey 

Secondary teachers are asked to respond to the Middle and High School Schedules Survey via DCPS email. Your input is needed to monitor the success of the restructuring of the instructional day and the maintenance of planning time.

 

The second survey is for all teachers. This is a more detailed and in depth survey asking for teacher input into current trends and issues in education. The survey is lengthy, but invaluable, as DTU prepares proposals for legislative packages and its position on educational state-wide issues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update: November 12, 2009

Collective Bargaining Update: All Units

The DCSB has not reached a decision on salaries for the DTU units and has scheduled another meeting in the shade for November 17, 2009. While everyone is certainly anxious to have a settlement, we view the Board’s continuing to meet as a good sign. We will have more after the Tuesday meeting.

MAP Update:

DTU and the MAP Committee are addressing continuing concerns over the improper coding of teachers, incorrect assignment of students, and lost MAP tests. Here is what will be done to track the MAP process so that problems are identified early in the year.

The week of November 23, 2009, Principals and Testing Coordinators will have access to a research file that will provide the following:

·         A list of all teachers in the school by course code taught

·         A list of all students assigned to the individual teachers as of the October survey period

·         Pre-test scores (MAP or FCAT scores) for students assigned to the individual teachers for 09-10 whose names appear on the October survey

·         Teachers are to receive a copy of the information to maintain for their records

If there is a mistake in any of these areas teachers are to contact Tom Scott immediately at: 858-1460 so corrections can be made early on.  

The students on the list from the October survey period are the only students that are counted for MAP purposes as long as they are also present for the February survey.  Remember students must be present for both the October and February survey periods to be counted for MAP. Individual classroom teachers must have at least ten of the same students from the October survey period appear on the February survey period to be considered for MAP. Pre-test scores must also be documented for those students. ESE teachers must have at least five of the same students from the October survey period appear on the February survey period to be considered for MAP. The ESE students are grouped by the test they take. Please report to DTU any difficulties with acquiring a copy of the materials to be provided. DTU will be monitoring the District to make sure that the materials are sent to schools as agreed.

Remember:  It is up to the individual teachers to initiate corrections immediately.  

 

 

 

Collective Bargaining Update Oct 21 

 

Salaries:

The DCSB has yet to determine the availability of district funds for salaries. This is the pot of money that serves as the starting point for salary negotiations. Now that budgets are completed and personnel placed, the School Board has been meeting “in the shade” to make these determinations. To date there has been no decision made. The next “shade” meeting is scheduled for November 5, 2009. As you are aware, “shade meetings” are not open to the public. Once determinations are made, DTU will be called to the table to discuss salaries.

We know that all of you have been very patient throughout this extended process. We realize how difficult it is to be patient especially in hard economic times.  Be assured that DTU will continue its fight to secure money for step and money at the top for all its members.