A preparation period is used for unassigned work, i.e. lesson planning, grading, and preparing for classes.

No, teachers are not required to have a hard copy of their lesson plan for their administration.

No, the format and organization, including which elements are to be included, and whether to write the plan digitally or on paper, are up to the teacher’s discretion.

No, your principal may suggest that elements be included but they cannot be required.

An administrator may ask for a copy of your lesson plan as part of the observation cycle. Lesson Plans may not be collected in a mechanical or routinized manner.

Yes, having a lesson plan is a professional responsibility.

SBOs sunset at the end of every school, with one exception. The only SBOs that do not sunset every year are changes between seven and eight periods in elementary schools. Any modification to the contract must be voted on every school year, except as...

A school-based option is a modification of the UFT/DOE contract that has been approved by the UFT staff, principal, UFT District Rep, Superintendent, UFT President, and the Chancellor in order to improve education in the school. It provides schools...

If you would like to do a professional activity that is not on the contractual list, you can propose it to your principal, whose approval is required before you undertake the activity. Also, the 2018 Contract made it possible for chapters to use the...

You should receive one of the three professional activities you expressed preference for. If you do not receive one of the activities, you are entitled to choose another three. If there are not enough volunteers for a particular activity, it can be...

Professional activities are professional or administrative assignments that are part of a teacher’s program, in middle schools, high schools, and 8 period elementary schools. The activities are chosen from the contractual menu of professional...

The UFT cannot give legal advice in these matters. It is strongly suggested that if you have been arrested, seek the services of a qualified attorney that specializes in these matters. The UFT does not make recommendations on any attorney.

An ACD is an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal. If you receive this from the court, immediately bring an original copy to OPI. If you have been suspended or re-assigned, OPI will make a decision on a case by case basis if you can return to...

Chancellor’s Regulation C-105 requires that employees with a final disposition delivery an original copy to the Office of Personnel Investigations within 3 days. It is strongly recommended that this be hand delivered to OPI and to get a receipt upon...

A Desk Appearance Ticket is an order by the police to appear in criminal court to respond to an accusation that you have committed an offense. A DAT is considered an arrest and must be reported, as all arrests should be to both OPI and your principal...

Decision about re-assignment and suspensions with and without pay depend on the reason for the arrest, = various collective bargaining agreements and Chancellor’s regulations. Members should contact the UFT for specific information related to their...

If a member was arrested at school or for a school related issue, the UFT will provide a criminal defense attorney up to and including arraignment.

Yes! All arrests, regardless of the issue involved, the location of the arrest, or when it took place MUST be immediately reported in writing to the Office of Personnel Investigations and your principal. The best way is by writing an email to...

Employees must report to 100 Gold Street when summoned. You are being re-assigned to an administrative location pending the outcome of an investigation, arrest, or 3020a Charges. There is no need for representation at this office. You will not be...

Yes! When called by the Department of Education, all third party and potential witnesses must appear and be cooperative. Remember that all DOE employees are mandated reporters. Members should have a discussion with the UFT Staff Representative...

Yes! If allegations are substantiated, an employee has a right to read the report. All adults who were interviewed will have their names disclosed.

No. Unsubstantiated allegations should not appear in a member's file. Members should review their file at regular intervals. If there is material in the file that should not be included, members should contact their Chapter Leader immediately for...

Only material signed by members may be placed in your file. If you receive a letter to your file about the alleged misconduct, then the report, if referred to in the letter, will appear in the file as attachment to the letter.

For Probationary Pedagogues and all other administrative titles (including Paraprofessionals), the agencies will make a recommendation to the Principal (or other supervisor for non-school based members) about potential discipline. For Tenured...

Investigations can be rather lengthy. The internal agencies within the DOE may take as long as 6 months. SCI, the external agency, can take as long as a year. If an investigation goes beyond these time frames, members should discuss with their...

No! The investigation is confidential. The Principal is not permitted to interfere with the investigation. If this occurs, members should notify the UFT representative who accompanied you on the interview who will then notify the investigator.

No! Interview time is official business. You must be given time to attend the interview, reasonable travel time and lunch time. The Principal / Supervisor MUST not interfere with the investigation process. If the Principal attempts to interfere with...

Members should notify the UFT immediately upon being contacted by an investigatory agency. The UFT will arrange for an interview with the investigator. Depending on the agency’s availability, this process may take several days. A UFT staff...

Contact the UFT. A Representative will assist you. The UFT will determine who is conducting the investigation and depending upon the agency, will assign either an attorney (for SCI) or a representative (for OSI and OEO) to assist you.

OEO is the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management. OEO is the internal DOE office that investigates allegations of sexual harassment and all forms of discrimination. Members are entitled to be represented by a fellow employee or by a...

SCI is the Special Commissioner of Investigation. This is the external agency responsible for investigating serious allegations of misconduct. Members are entitled to be represented by an attorney. The UFT has arrangements with a panel of private...

OSI is the Office of Special Investigations. It is the internal office of the Department of Education that monitors various allegations of violations of Chancellor’s Regulations and other allegations of wrongdoing. Members are entitled to be...

OPI is the Office of Personnel Investigation. It is the unit responsible for clearing employees to work for the Department of Education. OPI monitors active investigations, arrest, and suspensions. OPI is also responsible for fingerprints, background...

Retirees who receive their pension checks through direct deposit will have their lump-sum payments deposited into the same account as their pension checks. Retirees who receive their pension checks through the mail will have their lump-sum checks...

UFT members who take an approved unpaid leave will get all of the rate increases that other employees will receive upon their return. In addition, they will receive all of their retroactive pay so long as they return from leave by Oct. 1, 2023, and...

Reach out to the Partners in Progress: Peer Intervention Program (PIP) at the UFT. PIP allows you to receive confidential, non-evaluative one-on-one help from highly experienced, specially selected colleagues who will create individualized...