The teacher evaluation system evaluates teachers as: Highly Effective, Effective, Developing, Ineffective, Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. A probationary teacher who receives two “Ineffective” ratings in a row will be presumed to be incompetent. Further, in order to achieve tenure, a person must be rated Effective or higher in 3 of the probationary period’s 4 years. A person who is not rated Effective or higher in at least 3 years can have their probation extended for a year.

The process for determining whether or not you will get tenure is rigorous, and tenure is not automatic at the end of the probationary period. You must: 1) be recommended for tenure by your principal; 2) be granted tenure by your superintendent; 3) have a record of acceptable service during your probationary period; and 4) be on track to complete all your state certification and city licensing requirements.

As of the 2023 contract, the DOE will have to provide reasons, in writing, for the need to extend a UFT-represented employee’s probationary period if the employee makes a written request to their supervisor for an explanation. Principals can no longer extend someone’s probation without giving them any clue as to why.

Under New York State law, appointed teachers achieve tenure after completing a probationary period (usually four years and a day). In New York City, tenure is granted in your license appointment area. Having tenure means you may not be disciplined or terminated without due process for reasons other than failure to complete the requirements for your professional certificate. As a tenured teacher, you have the right to a hearing before an independent arbitrator regarding any charges brought against you. This due process right protects you from being fired for personal, arbitrary or political reasons.

School professionals (teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, psychologists and social workers) who are applying for state certification must take this six-hour course. This includes members who are applying for new certificates (for example, paraprofessionals going from a Level 1 to a Level 2 or 3).

Members who meet the following criteria do not need to take the course: a) permanently or professionally certified; b) hired prior to 2004; c) Level 3 certificate holders (paras) and applicants for certification prior to Jan. 1, 2014.

If you are not sure if you require this workshop, contact the certification department at 212-420-1830.

You must complete six hours of coursework from a provider approved by the New York State Education Department. You can find a list of approved providers at the NYSED website. The UFT is an approved provider and offers this course in its borough offices; see the UFT Courses page for dates, times and registration information.

Upon completion of the workshop, the provider will give you a copy of the Certification of Completion. In addition, the Certification of Completion form will be electronically reported to the State Education Department within 21 days of workshop completion by the provider. If you do not see that the workshop is recorded in TEACH after 21 days of the workshop date please contact us at (212) 701-9413.

Yes. If, for example, you are a professional certificate holder and want an additional certificate, you will need to complete DASA training for your additional certificate.

The deadline for completing DASA training depends on the expiration date of your certificate; you must complete your training before applying for a new certificate.

In either case, you should notify your immediate supervisor as soon as possible. If there was danger to you and/or other staff and students, also alert your UFT chapter leader and make sure to file a UFT incident report online so you can get needed support and assistance. Administrators must also report the violation or incident on the DOE’s online system, including, in some cases, the disciplinary action taken.

Every school must have a school safety plan and a crisis response plan that is updated annually and logged with the education, police and fire departments. Safety Plans are mandated by the SAVE Legislation, the UFT Contract, the Chancellor’s Regulation A-414 and the NYC Discipline Code.