ARTICLE 7

CURRICULUM AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Teachers are, and shall continue to be, a major source of development and innovation in improving educational programs of the District. Changes in programs and the adoption of new educational plans shall be based upon valid educational research, when available. Teachers shall participate in the overall coordination of studies, projects, and other activities directed toward the development, improvement and implementation of such programs, toward the continuous evaluation of all programs, and toward research in pertinent educational and related areas. The Association recognizes the existence of the other institutional and community resources capable of making great contributions toward these ends, and that utilization of such resources should be coordinated with the efforts of the school administration and the professional staff.

As the District strives for excellence in its schools, the District and the Association agree to work cooperatively to align the school district curricula and classroom activities with the New York State Learning Standards. To achieve this worthy goal, it will be necessary to encourage the professional growth of all staff and to foster collaborative working relationships established on research-based effective practices.

The District and the Association also agree that the curriculum development process is integral to quality instruction and to the improvement of student learning. The District and the Association further acknowledge and agree that creating a clear direction and consistency for curriculum and staff development, and delivery is a policy responsibility and right of the Board of Education.

With the above in mind the District and the Association pledge their commitment to establishing opportunities for working together with members, administrators, parents and the community to support the curriculum and staff development policy established by the Board of Education.

Components of this collaboration are:

A. Professional Development Committee

There shall be a Professional Development Committee consisting of four (4) members appointed by the Association and four (4) members appointed by the District, who shall consider the full range of in-servicing in the Syracuse City School District including, but not limited to, the District's current in-service program and other courses presented thereunder, the manner in which the existing Superintendent's Conference Days and half-day workshops can be made more effective, more productive in-school activities and individual faculty in-servicing, and any other matters relating to professional development. Members of this committee shall also be members of the Teacher Center Policy Board. They will act, in the tasks outlined here, as a subcommittee of that Board.

B. Curriculum Writing and Implementation and Textbook Recommendation

The District and the Association agree that curriculum committees shall be established as needed for curriculum writing and professional development to aid members and administrators in the effective and coordinated implementation of newly developed curricula.

Committees shall be established in accordance with the following:

1. These committees shall be comprised of teachers from Pre-K through 12th grade level, and appropriate administrators such as but not necessarily limited to, the field coordinators and Director of Curriculum and Staff Development.

2. Qualifications and duties for teacher representatives on these committees shall be established by the Board of Education upon recommendation of the Superintendent. Opportunities for teacher representatives to serve on the committees will be posted by the District. The District and the Association shall interview interested teacher candidates and shall forward to the Superintendent the names of those individuals recommended for appointment. The Board of Education shall have final approval of appointments to the committees, upon recommendation of the Superintendent.

3. Teachers who serve on the curriculum writing committees, or who are in-service instructors for curriculum implementation, will be compensated for authorized work performed outside the scope of the normal work day in accordance with the hourly rates specified in Appendix C of this Agreement.

4. Work hours for curriculum writing shall not exceed seventy-two (72) hours per committee member unless approved in advance by the Superintendent of Schools, or his/her designee. It is the expectation that most curricula can be completed in varying times under seventy-two (72) hours per committee member.

5. Textbook recommendation committees shall be established by the District as needed to select textbooks to support the New York State Standards. The textbook committees shall be comprised of appropriate teachers and administrators. Qualifications and duties for teacher representatives on textbook recommendation teams shall be established by the Board of Education upon recommendation of the Superintendent. Opportunities for teacher representatives to serve on the textbook recommendation committees will be posted by the District. The District and the Association shall jointly review the applications of interested teacher candidates, and interview (unless jointly accepted prior to the interview), and shall forward to the Superintendent the names of those individuals recommended for appointment. The Board of Education shall have final approval of appointments to committees, upon recommendation of the Superintendent. Textbook recommendation committees will be compensated for authorized work performed outside the scope of the normal workday in accordance with hourly rates specified in Appendix C of this agreement.

C. Peer Assistance

The District and the Association acknowledge the importance of improving the quality of teaching and professional standards as well as improving student performance. It is essential that new employees entering the District receive adequate support and guidance to acquire skills that should lead to effective and productive careers. Assistance from peers who have been identified as outstanding professionals and good communicators will provide employees with leadership and role models that will guide their professional development.

1. At times tenured staff may also find themselves in need of assistance, support, and feedback as outlined in the Model for Teacher Evaluation or its successor document (APPR - Annual Professional Performance Review).

2. The District, Association, Syracuse Teacher Center and SETRC will identify a peer assistance program consistent with research-based practices and make a recommendation to the Superintendent of Schools.

3. Upon review and approval by the Board of Education, a peer assistance program will be implemented and evaluated on an annual basis.

The District and Association agree to reopen negotiations on those mandatory subjects of negotiation related to the peer assistance program once the program is approved by the Board of Education. The plan, once approved, by the Board, shall be implemented.

D. Half Days for Professional Development

Subject to the regulations of the Commissioner of Education, and with the approval of the Superintendent, students may be dismissed one-half (1/2) day per month for faculty curriculum study and development and/or other kinds of continuing education. School committees are encouraged to innovate and experiment with the form such in-service shall take, and all programs conducted pursuant to this section shall be developed through faculty involvement in planning and evaluation.

E. Attendance at Conferences and Meetings

All members of the Unit shall attend all conferences and meetings for which they are released, and shall present themselves, as assigned, when schools are closed for staff participation in professional functions. Absence from conferences and meetings shall be governed by the same rules which apply to other absence from duty. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring the attendance of any teacher at a meeting which is voluntary and not required under law, regulation, or local policy.

F. Experimental and Demonstration Program (Mini-Grant Proposals)

Prior to September 15th, the Superintendent will issue an Administrative Bulletin detailing procedures and guidelines under which proposals may be submitted for the expenditure of monies to be used for experimental and demonstration programs. The total amount available for this program shall not exceed thirty thousand dollars ($30,000). Proposals shall be granted at the discretion of the Superintendent whose determination as to the approval and amount of any such proposal shall be final and not subject to the Grievance and Arbitration Procedure of this Agreement. This section shall not in any way be construed as a continuing obligation or commitment by the District to continue to appropriate monies for this purpose in future budgets beyond the duration of this agreement and/or a guarantee to exhaust the sum indicated above.

G. Teacher Center Policy Board

Subject to funding, the District shall provide for professional assistance, growth, and enrichment for members of the Unit through a Teacher Center governed by a Policy Board, a majority of whose members shall be teachers appointed by the Association.