34.1  Peer Assistance and Review The Redlands Teachers Association and the Redlands Unified School District strive to provide the highest quality of education to students. In order for students to succeed in learning, teachers must succeed in teaching. Therefore, the parties agree to cooperate in the design and implementation of programs to improve the quality of instruction through expanded and improved professional development and peer assistance.

34.2 Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) Panel

34.2.1        The PAR Panel shall consist of seven (7) members:  four (4) permanent classroom teachers, selected through a process determined by the Association, and three (3) administrators appointed by the Superintendent.

34.2.2        The PAR Panel shall establish its own meeting schedule. Meetings shall take place during the regular teacher workday and substitutes shall be provided to release teacher members from their duties. Should these duties require time beyond the regular workday, teacher members shall be paid at the rate negotiated by the parties to implement the program.

34.2.3        Five (5) members of the Par Panel shall constitute a quorum. The PAR Panel shall use a consensus model for decision making. Should a vote be required on any issue, an affirmative vote of at least five (5) members shall be required.

34.2.4        The PAR Panel will:

34.2.4.1     Provide annual training for PAR Panel members.

34.2.4.2     Administer the PAR Program – establish its own rules of procedure, including the selection of the chairperson who will serve a one (1)-year term. The chairperson shall alternate between the Association and District.

34.2.4.3     Establish and implement a procedure for application and selection of the Lead Consulting Teacher, Consulting Teachers, and Support Providers.

34.2.4.4     Provide training for the Lead Consulting Teacher, Consulting Teachers, and Support Providers.

34.2.4.5. Approve staff development and training opportunities developed by Consulting Teachers prior to implementation. 

34.2.4.6     Send written notification of participation in the PAR Program to the Mandatory for Review Participating Teacher, the Consulting Teacher, and the Site Principal/Evaluator.

34.2.4.7     Assign the Consulting Teacher/Support Provider to the Participating Teacher.

34.2.4.8     Adopt rules and procedures to affect the provisions of this article.  Develop forms necessary for rules and procedures. (Adopted rules and procedures shall be consistent with the terms of this agreement and District Board Policies and Administrative Regulations.)

34.2.4.9     Distribute a copy of the adopted rules and procedures to all unit members at the beginning of each school year.

34.2.4.10   Determine the number of Consulting Teachers and Support Providers and establish their case loads.

34.2.4.11   Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the Consulting Teachers/Support Providers and make decisions regarding their continuation in the program. The PAR Panel may remove a Consulting Teacher/Support Provider from the position at any time because of the specific needs of the PAR Program, unsatisfactory performance of the consulting Teacher/Support Provider, or for other reasons which serve the best interests of the PAR Program. Prior to the effective date of such removal, the PAR Panel will meet with the Consulting Teacher/Support Provider to discuss the reasons for removal.

34.2.4.12   Monitor the progress of each Participating Teacher by reviewing status reports regularly submitted by the Consulting Teacher. The PAR Panel is updated at regular intervals on the progress being made by participants.

34.2.4.13   Review information provided by Consulting Teachers regarding hours of observations, issues addressed, feedback, and other pertinent information.

34.2.4.14   Review the final report prepared by the Consulting Teacher and make recommendations to the Board of Education regarding the Mandatory for Review Participating Teacher’s progress in the PAR Program.

34.2.4.15   Develop and maintain a budget for the PAR Program subject to the approval of the Board of Education.

36.2.4.16   Evaluate the impact of the PAR Program in order to make changes to improve the program.

34.2.5        A PAR Panel member shall neither participate in discussion nor vote on any matter in which he/she has a professional or personal conflict of interest.

34.3 Consulting Teachers

34.3.1        A Consulting Teacher is a permanent unit member who provides assistance to a Participating Teacher pursuant to the PAR Program. Consulting Teachers will possess the following qualifications:

34.3.1.1     A clear California Teaching Credential;

34.3.1.2     Successful teaching experience in the Redlands Unified School District for a minimum of three (3) of the last five (5)years, spending at least sixty percent (60%) of a full time position providing classroom instruction to students;

34.3.1.3     Demonstrated ability to work successfully with racially, culturally, and linguistically different groups;

34.3.1.4     Demonstrated exemplary teaching ability;

34.3.1.5     Demonstrated talent in written and oral communications;

34.3.1.6     Demonstrated leadership ability or potential within the profession;

34.3.1.7     Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and effectively with other professional staff members;

34.3.1.8     Extensive knowledge of subject matter and mastery of a range of teaching strategies including classroom management and instructional techniques.

34.3.2        Consulting Teachers shall be selected and submitted for approval to the Board of Education by a vote of the PAR Panel following a selection process.

34.3.3        Consulting Teachers shall be selected as follows:

34.3.3.1     An announcement of vacancies will be posted annually throughout the District with an application deadline.

34.3.3.2     Applicants shall submit application forms for the position of Consulting Teacher.

34.3.3.3     Applicants shall submit at least three (3) references from individuals who have direct knowledge of the applicant’s ability in both teaching and working with colleagues. At least one (1) letter shall be from the immediate supervisor and one (1) from a teacher or Association representative.

34.3.3.4     Consulting Teachers shall be selected by a majority vote of the PAR Panel after a minimum of two (2) representatives of the PAR Panel have conducted a classroom observation. Whenever possible, classroom observations shall be conducted by at least one (1) teacher and one (1) administrator.

34.3.3.5     The candidates shall be interviewed by the PAR Panel prior to selection as a Consulting Teacher. Except for the first year of the program, selection of Consulting Teachers shall occur during the month of February.

34.3.3.6     Applicants who are not selected as Consulting Teachers shall be notified in writing.

34.3.4        Terms shall be staggered to provide continuity and collegial support among Consulting Teachers. For the inaugural year, terms shall be two (2) or three (3) years. After the second year of the PAR Program, a Consulting Teacher shall be eligible for one (1), three (3)-year term and then must serve in the classroom for at least three (3) years before reapplying for the Consulting Teacher position. All terms are subject to annual evaluation by the PAR Panel.

34.3.5        Consulting Teachers shall continue in their current assignment until the Panel determines the need for a Consulting Teacher. Identification by the Panel as a Consulting Teacher is not a guarantee of an active assignment.

34.3.6        Consulting Teachers will be given release time to serve Participating Teachers. The number of participants and available programs and funding shall determine Consulting Teacher to Participating Teacher ratios.

34.3.7        Should a vacancy exist because a Consulting Teacher cannot fulfill his/her term, a replacement appointee shall serve the remainder of the former Consulting Teacher’s unexpired term. Appointment of a replacement shall be the responsibility of the PAR Panel.

34.3.8        Consulting Teachers shall be paid for any work outside their contractual work day at the rate negotiated by the parties to implement the program.

34.3.9        A Consulting Teacher may work a maximum of ten (10) additional days at the appropriate per diem rate. Extensions beyond the ten (10) days may occur upon agreement between the PAR Panel and the Consulting Teacher.

34.3.10      The Consulting Teacher shall assist Participating Teachers by demonstrating, observing, coaching, conferencing, inservicing, referring, or by any other activities which, in his/her professional judgment, will assist the Participating Teacher.

34.3.11      The Consulting Teacher shall maintain a log of contacts and specific support given to each Participating Teacher.

34.3.12      The Consulting Teacher shall meet with the Mandatory for Review Participating Teacher to discuss the PAR Program; establish mutually agreed upon performance goals; develop a support plan and develop a process for determining successful completion of the program. The Consulting Teacher shall conduct multiple observations of the Mandatory for Review Participating Teacher’s performance with students and shall meet with the Mandatory for Review Participating Teacher to review and discuss observations.

34.3.13      The Consulting Teacher shall monitor the progress of the Mandatory for Review Participating Teacher and provide periodic written reports to the Mandatory for Review Participating Teacher for discussion and review prior to sending periodic reports to the PAR Panel.

34.3.14      The Consulting Teacher shall submit the final report to the Mandatory for Review Participating Teacher to receive his/her signature to verify delivery and receipt.

34.3.15      The Consulting Teacher shall submit a written report to the PAR Panel on the progress of each Mandatory for Review Participating Teacher at least mid­year. These reports shall be discussed with the Mandatory for Review Participating Teacher. The final report will be submitted to the PAR Panel by the end of the Mandatory for Review Participating Teacher’s school year.

34.3.16      Upon written request of the Consulting teacher and/or the Participating Teacher, the PAR Panel may assign a different Consulting Teacher to work with the Participating Teacher at any time during the year.

34.3.17      Upon completion of service as a Consulting Teacher, he/she will be returned to the position which he/she held prior to becoming a consulting Teacher. If that position no longer exists, he/she shall be provided a similar position that he/she is credentialed to teach. The Association agrees that this may require the District to employ additional temporary teachers.

34.4 Lead Consulting Teacher

34.4.1        The Lead Consulting Teacher is a permanent unit member who provides support to both the PAR Panel and the Consulting Teachers as well as serving as a Consulting Teacher.

34.4.2        The qualifications and selection process for the Lead Consulting Teacher shall be in accordance with Sections 34.3, 34.3.1, 34.3.2, and 34.3.3 of this PAR Program. Except for the first year, the Lead Consulting Teacher will be selected in the month of February of the year prior to the beginning of service as a Lead Consulting Teacher.

34.4.3        The first Lead Consulting Teacher may serve a term for up to four (4) years. After the second year of the PAR Program, a Lead Consulting Teacher shall be eligible for one three (3)-year term, and then must serve in the classroom for at least three (3) years before reapplying for the Lead Consulting Teacher position.

34.4.4        The Lead Consulting Teacher shall be provided full release time to provide services to the PAR Panel, Consulting Teachers, and Participating Teachers. The Lead Consulting Teacher shall continue on a full-time release basis until the PAR Panel determines that his/her services are no longer needed.

34.4.5        The Lead consulting Teacher shall have the following responsibilities:

34.4.5.1     Plan, coordinate, facilitate, and present at teacher orientation programs;

34.4.5.2     Assist with the integration of the Peer Assistance Program with the District’s New Teacher Program;

34.4.5.3     Assist with the staff development program for both new and veteran teachers;

34.4.5.4     Establish a resource bank of veteran teachers as a resource for the consulting Teachers(s) to utilize while assisting the Participating Teacher(s);

34.4.5.5     Assist Participating Teachers by demonstrating, observing, coaching, conferencing, inservicing, referring, or by any other activities which, in his/her judgment, will assist the Participating Teacher.

34.5 Support Providers

34.5.1        A Support Provider is a classroom teacher who provides assistance to non­permanent teachers pursuant to new teacher programs.

34.5.2        The qualifications and selection process for the Support Providers shall be in accordance with Sections 34.3, 34.3.1, 34.3.2, and 34.3.3, of this PAR Program.

34.5.3        Unless otherwise indicated, Support Providers will serve a five (5)-year term.

34.5.4        Support Providers shall be paid for work related to the PAR Program at the rate negotiated by the parties.

34.6 Participating Teachers

34.6.1        A Participating Teacher is a unit member who receives assistance and coaching to improve instructional skills, classroom management, knowledge of subject matter and related aspects of teaching performance. There are five

(5) categories of Participating Teachers:

34.6.1.1     Mandatory for Review Participating Teacher

34.6.1.2     Mandatory for Assistance Participating Teacher

34.6.1.3     Voluntary Participating Teacher

34.6.1.4     Beginning Participating Teacher

34.6.1.5     New to the District Participating Teacher

34.6.2.       Mandatory for Review Participating Teachers

34.6.2.1     A Mandatory for Review Participating Teacher is a classroom teacher with permanent status who receives an overall evaluation of unsatisfactory. An overall unsatisfactory is defined as receiving two (2) or more categories rated as unsatisfactory in the four (4) categories of evaluation that pertain to student instruction and learning.

34.6.2.2     The Human Resource Office shall send a copy of the unsatisfactory evaluation to the PAR Panel. A Mandatory Participating Teacher shall be notified in writing of his/her placement in the PAR program by the PAR Panel.

34.6.2.3     The Consulting Teacher shall meet and consult with the evaluating administrator who referred the Mandatory Participating Teacher to review the administrator’s plan of improvement for the Participating Teacher.  

34.6.2.4     The Mandatory Participating Teacher shall meet with the Consulting Teacher no later than the fourth week of the Mandatory Participating Teacher’s work year. The goals of the resulting support plan shall include, but not be limited to specific training activities and classroom observations in the teaching/instructional areas.

34.6.2.5     The Consulting Teacher shall complete a final report of the Mandatory Participating Teacher’s performance in meeting the objectives of the assistance plan. The final report shall include the assistance provided to the Mandatory Participating Teacher, and a statement of the Mandatory Participating Teacher’s progress with the plan.

34.6.2.6     A copy of the final report shall be provided to the Mandatory Participating Teacher and to the PAR Panel.

34.6.2.7     The PAR Panel shall not act on the Consulting Teacher’s reports before ten (10) work days following the receipt of the report to allow the Mandatory Participating Teacher sufficient time to submit a written response. By written agreement of the PAR Panel and the Mandatory Participating Teacher, time lines may be extended.

34.6.2.8     The Consulting Teacher shall continue to provide assistance not to exceed one (1) year to the Mandatory Participating Teacher until he/she concludes that the teaching performance of the Mandatory Participating Teacher is satisfactory or that further assistance will not be productive. The PAR Panel may authorize additional assistance beyond the one (1) year period.  

34.6.2.9     The results of the Participating Teacher’s mandated participation in the PAR Program shall be made available for placement in his or her personnel file.

34.6.3        Mandatory for Assistance Participating Teachers

34.6.3.1     A Mandatory for Assistance Participating Teacher is a classroom teacher with permanent status who receives an overall evaluation of “Needs to Improve.” An overall “Needs to Improve” is defined as receiving three (3) or more categories as “Needs to Improve” in the four (4) categories of evaluation that pertain to student instruction and learning on the recent Summary Evaluation Report.

34.6.3.2     All communications between the Mandatory for Assistance Participating Teacher and the Consulting Teacher shall be confidential and without written consent of the Mandatory for Assistance Participating Teacher shall not be shared with others, including the site administrator and the PAR Panel.

34.6.3.3     Mandatory for Assistance Participating Teachers shall be given assistance only after the needs of Mandatory Participating Teachers and beginning teachers have been met.

34.6.4        Beginning Participating Teachers

34.6.4.1     The purpose of participating in the assistance component of the PAR Program is to support Beginning Teachers in need of assistance and coaching to improve instructional skill, classroom management, knowledge of subject area, and related aspects of teaching performance as related to the California Standards for the Teaching Profession.

34.6.4.2     The purpose of participation is to provide peer assistance only. The Consulting Teacher or Support Provider shall play no role in the evaluation of the teaching performance of a Beginning Teacher Participant.

34.6.4.3     The formal evaluation of the Beginning Teacher is the sole responsibility of the site administrator.

34.6.4.4     The Beginning Teacher shall be defined as:

34.6.4.4.1  Fully credentialed 1st or 2nd year teachers (Preliminary or Professional Clear);

34.6.4.4.2  Intern Teachers;

34.6.4.4.3  Teachers with Emergency Permits/Pre-Interns.

34.6.4.5     Beginning Teachers in 34.6.4.4.1 must be served prior to assigning teachers in 34.6.4.4.2 and 34.6.4.4.3 to a Consulting Teacher or a Support Provider.

34.6.4.6     Participating in the PAR Program for assistance shall be mandatory for first year teachers. Assistance for second year teachers may be mandatory if it is determined by both the Consulting Teacher/Support Teacher and the PAR Panel.

34.6.5        Voluntary Participating Teachers

34.6.5.1     A Voluntary Participating Teacher is a classroom teacher with permanent status who volunteers to participate in the PAR Program. Voluntary Participating Teachers are for peer assistance only and the Consulting Teacher shall not document any performance review of a Voluntary Participating Teacher. A Voluntary Participating Teacher may terminate his/her participation in the PAR Program at any time.

34.6.5.2     Voluntary Participating Teachers shall be given assistance only after the needs of Mandatory Participating Teachers and Beginning Teachers have been met.

34.6.5.3     All communications between the Voluntary Participating Teacher and the Consulting Teacher shall be confidential and, without the written consent of the Voluntary Participating Teacher, shall not be shared with others, including the site administrator and the PAR Panel.

34.6.6        New to the District Participating Teachers

34.6.6.1     The purpose of participating in the Peer Assistance Liaison (PAL) component of the PAR Program is to support New to the District Participating Teachers.

34.6.6.2     A PAL teacher will be assigned to the New to the District Participating Teacher at his or her site to help with orientation and provide support. Selection of PAL teachers will be by mutual agreement of the site administrator and PAR panel.

34.6.6.3     The PAL program will be in effect the first year of the new teacher’s employment only.

34.6.6.4     Resources, support, and release time will be provided to PAL program teachers as the PAR Panel deems appropriate.

34.7 Miscellaneous Provisions

34.7.1        The PAR Program shall strongly encourage a cooperative relationship between the Consulting Teacher and the Principal/Evaluator.

34.7.2        The Consulting Teacher shall have the right to representation by the Association to the extent permitted by law.

34.7.3        Any unresolved issue or complaint by unit members arising under this Article, shall be referred to the PAR Panel for final resolution in lieu of the grievance procedure outlined in Article 19. This paragraph neither expands nor diminishes the unit member’s ability to grieve any other Article of this agreement.

A Mandatory Participating Teacher shall not have access to the grievance process to challenge the contents of reports, assessments, or decisions of the PAR Panel, but may file responses which shall become part of the official record of the intervention.

34.7.4        The District agrees to indemnify and hold harmless and provide a defense to any Association member of the PAR Panel and Consulting Teachers against any claims, causes of action, damages, grievances, administrative proceedings, or any other litigation arising from the unit member’s participation in Peer Assistance and Review. The Association retains the right to participate in the litigation.

34.7.5        All proceedings and materials related to evaluations, reports, and other personnel matters shall be strictly confidential. Therefore, PAR Panel members and Consulting Teachers may disclose such information only as necessary to administer this Article.

34.7.6        Consulting Teachers, Support Providers, and teacher members of the PAR Panel shall not be considered management or supervisory employees as defined in the Educational Employment Relations Act and shall retain their status as bargaining unit members.

34.7.7        The funding for the PAR Program will appear as a separate line item in the District budget. Any unused funding will remain in the PAR budget for the following year.

Expenditures for the PAR Program shall not exceed revenues and carryover received from funds made available through the passage of AB 1X and shall not impact the General Fund.

34.7.8        No more than 5% of the funds received by the District for the PAR Program may be expended for administrative costs. It is understood and agreed that the PAR Program shall terminate if, for any reason, there exists an inability for full funding thereof through AB 1X (1999 Villariagosa), BTSA, or successor legislation.

34.7.9        This Article on Peer Assistance and Review shall be reviewed on or before June 30, 2001, and annually thereafter. Prior to that date, the parties agree to meet and renegotiate its provisions, making necessary changes to improve the PAR Program.