ARTICLE 21: PEER ASSISTANCE AND REVIEW PROGRAM (PAR)
1. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the PAR program is to assist all unit members in improving performance
in subject matter areas and/or teaching strategies.
COMPONENTS: The Program shall have four components:
Probationary/Temporary Teacher Assistance Program:
This component shall provide assistance to probationary teachers.
Permanent Teacher Intervention Program:
This component shall provide interventions by Consulting Teachers to permanent
teachers referred to the program.
Voluntary Participation Program:
This component provides peer assistance to permanent teachers desiring assistance
in improving their practice. Instruction/Curriculum Assistance Program: This
program provides instructional and curricular leadership in the district
DEFINITION
PAR Panel
A committee of seven (7) members organized to carry out the provisions of the
PAR Program.
Consulting Teacher
A permanent unit member who provides leadership and support services as assigned
by the PAR Panel in the following areas:
1. Assisting probationary teachers and/or voluntary participants
2. Provide assistance and review for Participating Permanent Teachers
3. Provide Instructional/curricular leadership in the district.
Voluntary Participant
A permanent unit member who voluntarily requests participation and is accepted
into the program.
Probationary Teacher
A unit member with an emergency credential, on intern status, or in their first
or second year of teaching with a preliminary credential.
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Participating Permanent Teacher
A permanent unit member who is assigned to the PAR program to resolve deficiencies.
Peer Assistance
Assistance provided by a Consulting Teacher to a Probationary Teacher or a
Voluntary Participant.
Peer Review
Assistance and documentation of progress provided by a Consulting Teacher to
a permanent unit member assigned to the PAR Program.
Specialist
A support provider who provides specialized services not found in the corps
of Consulting
Teachers.
2. PAR PANEL PROCEDURES
A. The program shall be governed by the PAR Panel composed of seven (7) members. Members will include the Association President or designee, three members appointed by the President and approved by the Association Representative Council, the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services, and two administrative members appointed by the Superintendent.
B. Decisions will be made by consensus where possible. Should a vote be required, action must be taken on an affirmative vote of at least four members.
C. The chairperson shall be alternated each year between an association representative and an administrative representative.
D. The PAR Panel will meet at least four times annually. To hold meetings, four of the seven members must be present (no less than 2 teacher representatives and 2 administrative representatives). Such meetings may take place during the regular workday. Teachers who are members of the Panel will be released from their regular duties without loss of pay.
PANEL RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Develop operational procedures and forms subject to approval by the AETA/AESD
negotiating team.
B. Develop the program budget subject to governing board approval.
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C. Provide for training of the Panel members and Consulting Teachers.
D. Determine the number of Consulting Teachers needed depending on number of
referrals, the budget available, and other relevant considerations.
E. Select Consulting Teachers or other Specialists and assign duties.
F. Evaluate Consulting Teachers and their documentation, and all specialists.
The documentation of such evaluations shall not be made a part of the personnel
file except upon the express written request of the Consulting Teacher or Specialist.
G. Accept or reject repeat referrals for intervention from principals.
H. Accept or reject voluntary requests for assistance from individual teachers
depending on number of referrals, the budget available, and other relevant
considerations.
I. Make available a list of Consulting Teachers (not less than three), for
selection by Participating Permanent Teachers. If a Participating Permanent
Teacher requests a change in Consulting Teacher after one is assigned, the
assignment will be made at the discretion of the PAR Panel.
J. Review interventions of the Consulting Teacher or Specialist.
K. Review reports of the Consulting Teacher regarding the Participating Permanent
Teacher’s progress in the PAR Program and report final recommendation(s)
to the Participating Permanent Teacher, Principal, and the Governing Board.
L. Evaluate annually the impact of the PAR Program and make recommendations
for improvement.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND DUTY TO INDEMNIFY
A. All proceedings and materials related to the administration
of this article shall be confidential except in response to a subpoena or
order of the court.
The final recommendation from the PAR Panel shall be placed in the Participating
Permanent Teacher’s personnel file as per Education Code Section 44500
(b)(7). Panel members and Consulting Teachers may disclose such information
only as necessary to administer this article.
B. The Progress Reports and other documents may be viewed only by the Principal,
Consulting Teacher and Panel members who need such documents to assist the
participating member at a later date. After four years, the record of interventions
for Participating Permanent Teachers may be sealed within the personnel file.
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C. Voluntary Participants in the PAR Program shall have any materials generated
through the PAR Program returned to them at the conclusion of their participation.
D. The District shall defend and hold harmless individual PAR Panel members
and Consulting Teachers from any lawsuit or claim arising out of the performance
of their duties under this program.
3. CONSULTING TEACHERS
While terms of Consulting Teachers may vary depending on need, a three-year term is recommended. Terms will be staggered to provide continuity in the program.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Consulting Teachers will possess the following qualifications:
A. Permanent status and at least three years of recent experience in the District
as a teacher.
B. Demonstrated exemplary teaching ability.
C. Extensive knowledge and mastery of subject matter, teaching strategies,
instructional techniques, and classroom management strategies necessary to
meet the needs of pupils in different contexts.
D. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
E. Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others.
SELECTION:
A. Vacancies will be posted at all sites and in the District
office. In addition to an application and resume of experience and qualifications,
applicants must
submit at least three references (an AESD administrator, a unit member, and
one other) who have direct knowledge of the applicant’s abilities to
be a Consulting Teacher.
B. Consulting Teachers shall be selected by a majority vote of the PAR Panel.
At least one teacher and one administrator on the PAR Panel will conduct a
classroom observation of each candidate.
DUTIES:
The Consulting Teacher provides assistance in one or more of the following ways:
1. Develop a growth plan with their assigned teacher.
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2. Make multiple visits and/or observations of the teacher during periods of
classroom instruction.
3. Meet and consult with the Principal of the teacher, except for Voluntary
Participants.
4. Demonstrate good practice to the teacher or provide opportunities to observe
exemplary teachers.
5. Accompany the teacher to district level professional development or conference
and workshop attendance to facilitate reflection on how this experience fits
into the
growth plan.
6. Monitor the progress of the teacher and maintain a written record.
7. Provide other forms of assistance that the Consulting Teacher and the Panel
may prescribe.
8. Consulting Teachers assigned to the Instruction/Curriculum Assistance Program
will work with the support of the Assistant Superintendent for Educational
Services to provide leadership in instruction and curriculum in the district.
Tasks include the following:
a. Advise and assist the District in designated curriculum areas and in meeting
grade level expectancies.
b. Provide in-service and training to teachers in assigned curriculum areas.
9. The time and manner in which each Consulting Teacher shall render service
shall be determined on an individual basis under the direction of the PAR Panel.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES FOR THE PERMANENT TEACHER INTERVENTION PROGRAM
A. Discuss and set performance goals with their Participating
Permanent Teacher related to specific standards evaluated to be “unsatisfactory” or
other areas deemed in need of assistance by the Consulting Teacher during the
period of assistance.
B. Document interventions and progress related to performance goals.
C. Make quarterly status reports to the PAR Panel for Participating Permanent
Teachers.
D. Provide a summary report to the PAR Panel and Principal by May 15 of each
year except for Voluntary Participants
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E. The parties understand that every possible subject matter competency may
not be available within the corps of Consulting Teachers. It may be necessary
to secure additional assistance from Specialists to fully address identified
deficiencies. In such cases, the Consulting Teacher shall maintain prime
responsibility for developing the growth plan, but may work like a case manager
who assures availability of appropriate resources.
F. Consulting Teachers will be trained to both offer peer assistance and review
and to understand the specific functions of the PAR Program. The PAR Panel
will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the Consulting Teacher and will
make decisions regarding their continuation in the program. Prior to making
changes, the PAR Panel will provide the Consulting Teacher with a written statement
of the reasons for making the changes, and, at the request of the Consulting
Teacher, will meet with him/her to discuss the reasons.
COORDINATING THE WORK OF CONSULTING TEACHERS
A. The PAR program encourages a cooperative relationship between the Consulting
Teacher, Participating Permanent Teacher and the Principal with respect to
the process of peer assistance and review. Prior to working with a Participating
Permanent Teacher, the Consulting Teacher will meet with the Principal or immediate
supervisor to review and discuss the basis for the referral to the PAR Program.
B. Communication regarding progress on objectives and consultation with the
Principal shall be ongoing.
C. Nothing in this article precludes the Principal or District from doing observations
and evaluations nor from notifying the teacher verbally and/or in writing or
taking other appropriate action regarding incidents or events related to the
teacher’s fulfillment of his/her professional obligations.
D. The Consulting Teacher will share all written reports with the Participating
Permanent Teacher, the Principal, and the PAR Panel.
E. The Participating Permanent Teacher and Principal may be present for the
Consulting Teacher’s final report to the PAR Panel and will be given
an opportunity to respond to the report.
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4. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
A. PROBATIONARY/TEMPORARY TEACHER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
1. All unit members who are classified as probationary or temporary are required
to participate in the program.
2. Participants will be assigned a Consulting Teacher who has received training
in providing support. Training may include the Beginning Teacher Support and
Assessment (BTSA) Program or other appropriate training programs.
B. PERMANENT TEACHER INTERVENTION PROGRAM
1. Permanent unit members who have received an unsatisfactory
rating by the Principal on the AESD “Summary Performance Appraisal - Permanent Teachers” in
two or more standards shall be referred to the PAR Program.
2. Teachers so referred shall have an opportunity to appear before the PAR
Panel to provide additional information regarding their placement in the program.
3. Participation is mandatory for teachers referred to the Permanent Teacher
Intervention Program.
4. Participating Permanent Teachers will select a Consulting Teacher trained
to provide peer assistance and review.
C. VOLUNTARY PROGRAM PARTICIPATION
1. Any permanent unit members may volunteer to participate in the program.
2. The PAR Panel shall have the authority to accept or reject voluntary referrals.
3. All communications will be kept confidential unless the Participating Permanent
Teacher requests otherwise.
5. DUE PROCESS RIGHTS
A. The Participating Permanent Teacher has the right to submit a response
to the final written recommendation of the PAR Panel, to appear before the
PAR Panel, and to have Association representation.
B. The decision to refer a permanent teacher for intervention through this
program shall not be subject to the grievance procedure.
C. This program in no manner diminishes the legal rights of bargaining unit
members
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D. The Program shall not deal with teachers’ employment issues which
arise from accusations of neglect of duty or misconduct which are distinct
from teachers’ evaluations in relationship to the AESD “Standards
for the Performance Appraisal of Teachers”.
E. The terms of this agreement may be open to renegotiation at the request
of either party after the first and second year of implementation of the program.
TERM OF THE INTERVENTION
A. The Permanent Teacher Intervention Program will begin with permanent teachers
who receive an unsatisfactory evaluation in May, 2001.
B. The term of assistance shall normally be for one year. At the conclusion
of assistance for a Participating Permanent Teacher, the Panel shall make a
written recommendation to the Participating Permanent Teacher, the Principal,
and the Governing Board that:
C. Either the Participating Permanent Teacher is now “proficient” in
the “Teaching Standards for the Performance Appraisal of Certificated
Instructional Staff;” or
D. The Panel and Consulting Teacher believe that although the Participating
Permanent Teacher may not have returned to a “proficient” level
of performance, progress is being made and it is recommended that the intervention
be extended for up to one year. Only one extension may be granted in the program;
or
E. The Consulting Teacher and PAR Panel do not consider assistance and remediation
to have been successful and recommend exiting the teacher from the PAR Program
with reasons in support of this conclusion.
F. The term for voluntary participation will normally be a year or less. The
volunteer can terminate assistance at any time.
G. The term of assistance for the Probationary Teacher Assistance Program will
normally be until the probationary teacher is granted permanent status in the
District
6. REVENUE AND COMPENSATION
A. Expenditures for the program shall not exceed revenues made available through the passage of AB 1X (Chapter 4, Statutes of 1999), Peer Assistance and Review Program, or successor legislation.
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B. If revenues exceed expenditures, the surplus shall remain in the Program.
C. If funds specifically designated by the State for the PAR Program are reduced
or deleted for any reason; the PAR Program may be reduced or deleted accordingly.
7. COMPENSATION AND EXPENDITURES
A. The stipend for PAR Panel members will be $750 for the 2000-2001 school
year.
B. The stipend for a Consulting Teacher (180 hours) will be $4,500 for the
2000-2001 school year. Partial positions less than 180 hours will be paid on
a proportional basis.
C. Funds shall be set aside for training, release days and conference attendance
for the PAR Panel, Consulting Teachers, and the teachers with whom they work.
D. Funds shall be set aside for operation of the PAR Panel including secretarial
and materials costs.
8. PAR PROGRAM FLOW CHART
Permanent Teacher Intervention Program
EVALUATION PROCESS
1. May 1 - Teacher receives “Unsatisfactory”
2. May - Principal Referral to PAR Program
3. Teacher is exited from the PAR Program
4. Principal continues supervision and evaluation procedures, or
5. Dismissal procedures are begun.
6. Teacher is exited from the PAR Program
7. Principal continues supervision and evaluation procedures.
PAR PROGRAM
1. May - Referral from Principal
2. PAR Panel Meets
3. Consulting Teacher selected
Consulting Teacher meets with Principal
Meets with Participating Teacher
Develops Growth Plan
Conducts observations/interventions
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Quarterly Reports
Presents final report/recommendation by May 15
4. PAR Panel submits final report and recommendations
5. Teacher continues in PAR Program; or ongoing Communication and Consultation
between Consulting Teacher and Principal conducts informal observations, walk-throughs,
and provides feedback; monitors incidents or events related to the teacher’s
fulfillment of his/her professional obligations.