The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) has recently reached an agreement for a new contract in 2020. The new agreement is set to benefit over 130,000 teachers and support staff in New York City`s public school system, making it the largest public-sector contract in the country.
The agreement includes a 3% salary increase backdated to September 2019, with an additional 2% increase in May 2022, which brings the overall increase to 5%. This salary increase, combined with increased health care benefits, will provide much-needed relief to educators who have been struggling to make ends meet.
One of the most significant changes in the new contract is the abolition of the Absent Teacher Reserve (ATR) pool. The ATR pool is a group of teachers who have been displaced from their previous positions due to school closures or budget cuts. Previously, ATR teachers would have to travel to different schools each day to cover for absent teachers. Under the new agreement, these educators will now be placed in long-term positions, providing them with more job security and stability.
The contract also includes new provisions for teacher evaluations. Under the new agreement, teachers will no longer be rated based on student test scores but will instead be evaluated on a variety of factors, including classroom observations and student feedback. This will help to reduce the pressure on teachers to “teach to the test” and will allow them to focus on providing a well-rounded education for their students.
Finally, the new contract includes increased funding for professional development programs, which will help educators stay up-to-date with the latest teaching techniques and pedagogies. This, in turn, will lead to higher-quality instruction and improved outcomes for students.
Overall, the new UFT agreement for 2020 is a significant win for teachers and support staff in the New York City public school system. It provides them with increased salary and benefits, job security, and improved working conditions. These changes will not only benefit educators but will also have a positive impact on the quality of education provided to students in the city.