|
Health and Wellness
|
| What is the maximum portion of the employee's health insurance premium paid by the employer? |
not specified; board annually determines district's contribution (employees must contribute toward the premium)
p. 21.
p. 6.
|
| What is the maximum portion of the employee's dependents' health insurance premium paid by the employer? |
not specified; board annually determines district's contribution (employees must contribute toward the premium)
p. 21.
p. 6.
|
| Does the employer specify a dollar cap for the portion of the premium they cover? If so, what is the cap? |
not specified; board annually determines district's contribution (employees must contribute toward the premium and district provides a chart listing employee contributions)
p. 21.
p. 6.
|
|
Pensions/Retirement
|
| Are there incentives for a teacher to take early retirement? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| By what date must a teacher give notification that he/she intends to resign or retire? |
45 days prior to the first day of instruction (and at least 30 calendar days advance notice) for contract employees, in accordance with state law; at least 30 calendar days for non-contract employees
p. 61.
Board Policies DFE (legal) and DFE (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Does the district offer an incentive to the teacher who notifies the district before the deadline that he/she intends to resign/retire at the end of the school year? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| Is there a penalty for a teacher who fails to notify the district that he/she intends to resign/retire by the district's deadline? |
District acknowledges state law
, legal sanctions may be imposed
p. 61.
Board Policy DFE (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Can a teacher receive payment for unused sick leave at retirement? How much? |
Yes
$75 per day for up to 150 days
Employees must have served in the district for ten or more continuous years.
p. 33.
Board Policy DEC (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Can a teacher receive payment for unused personal leave at retirement? How much? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
|
Tuition Reimbursement
|
| Is tuition reimbursement offered to teachers? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| Can a teacher receive financial support to cover National Board certification fees? |
issue not addressed in the scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
|
School Year
|
| STUDENTS: How many days are students in school? |
174
Past Policy
176
Past Policy
175
Past Policy
176
Past Policy
180
2010-2011 School Year Calendar
Past Policy
180
2009-2010 School Year Calendar
Past Policy
179
2008-2009 School Year Calendar
|
| STUDENTS: How many hours, minimum, are students scheduled to be in school each year? |
1,261 hours, 30 minutes (total)
Calculated based off of a 7-hour, 15 minute day multiplied by 174 days.
FBISD school hours: https://www.fortbendisd.com/parents
Past Policy
1,232 (total)
Calculated based off of a 7-hour day multiplied by 176 days.
Board Policy EC (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
Past Policy
1,225 (total)
Calculated based off of a 7-hour day multiplied by 175 days.
Board Policy EC (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
Past Policy
1,232 (total)
Calculated based off of a 7-hour day multiplied by 176 days.
p. 1, Board Policy EC( LEGAL): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
Past Policy
issue not addressed in the scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Board Policy: http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| TEACHERS: How many days are teachers in school? |
187
|
| TEACHERS: How many days is the teacher required to be on-site without students? (including half or partial days) |
15
Past Policy
elementary: 13; middle and secondary: 14
Past Policy
elementary: 14; middle and secondary: 15
Past Policy
elementary: 13; middle and secondary: 14
Past Policy
6
2010-2011 School Year Calendar
Past Policy
8
2009-2010 School Year Calendar
Past Policy
8
2008-2009 School Year Calendar
|
|
School Day
|
| How long is the school day for elementary students? |
at least 7 hours (total)
Board Policy EC (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| How long is the school day for secondary students? |
at least 7 hours (total)
Board Policy EC (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| How long is the scheduled workday for teachers? (total time scheduled on-site, including lunch) |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents; daily time schedules for all employees shall be determined by the Superintendent or designee and principals
Board Policy DK (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| How much time is the teacher required to be on-site beyond the length of the student day? (This does not include time for meetings) |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents; daily time schedules for all employees shall be determined by the Superintendent or designee and principals
Board Policy DK (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
|
Preparation Time
|
| How much planning time does an elementary teacher receive? |
450 minutes in each two-week period, in accordance with state law
A planning and preparation period may not be less than 45 minutes within the instructional day.
Board Policy DL (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| How much planning time does a secondary teacher receive? |
450 minutes in each two-week period, in accordance with state law
A planning and preparation period may not be less than 45 minutes within the instructional day.
Board Policy DL (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| How much teacher planning time is designated for collaborative planning? |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Board Policy DL (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
|
Structure of the Salary Schedule
|
| What type of salary schedule is in use? |
New hire salary schedule
|
| What is the average percent increase in pay earned for each additional year of experience? |
1.0% (based on new hire schedule)
|
| Teachers in most districts earn a raise for each additional year of experience and an annual adjustment for cost of living and other factors. What is that average annual adjustment? (reported as a percentage of change from the previous year) |
0% (based on new hire schedule)
Past Policy
1.2% (based on new hire teacher salaries only)
p. 2 (pdf).
Past Policy
4.6%
Past Policy
n/a; Fort Bend was not a part of our database in 2012-2013 so there was no available comparative data for that year
Past Policy
0%
TR3 Salary Schedule 2010-2011
Past Policy
~1%
Past Policy
1.5-2.5%
The salary schedule eliminated steps 36-40 for the 08-09 school years; teachers on steps 28-40 received a pay cut.
|
| What is the average total change in salary accounting for both earning an additional year of experience and an annual adjustment for cost of living and other factors? (reported as the percentage of change from the previous year) |
1% (based on new hire schedule)
Past Policy
0% (based on new hire schedule)
p. 2 (pdf).
Past Policy
5.8%
Past Policy
n/a; Fort Bend was not a part of our database in 2012-2013 so there was no available comparative data for that year
Past Policy
3.87%
The district added 15 steps near the end of the salary schedule which increased the max salary by $10,000 despite a 0% COLA.
TR3 Salary Schedule - 2010-2011
|
| What is the average difference between the master's and bachelor's salary? |
$1,100 (based on new hire schedule)
|
| How many lanes (or columns) based on advanced degrees or credit attainment are on the teacher's salary schedule? |
3: BA, MA (stipend pay ), PhD (stipend pay)
|
| In what year of service will a teacher with a bachelor's and/or master's degree reach the maximum salary (assuming no step freezes)? |
25 (based on new hire schedule)
|
|
Annual Salary
|
| What is the annual salary for a fully certified, first year teacher with a bachelor's degree? |
$50,500 (based on new hire schedule)
|
| What is the annual salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience? |
$53,000 (based on new hire schedule)
Past Policy
$52,500
Past Policy
48,933
Past Policy
48,166
TR3 Salary Schedule - 2010-2011
Past Policy
48,166
Past Policy
47,741
|
| What is the annual salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree on the highest step of the salary schedule? |
$64,264 (based on new hire schedule)
Past Policy
$64,071
Past Policy
62,405
Past Policy
76,380
TR3 Salary Schedule - 2010-2011
Past Policy
68,160
Past Policy
67,220
|
| What is the annual salary for a fully certified, first year teacher with a master's degree? |
$51,600 (based on new hire schedule)
Past Policy
$51,100
Past Policy
47,850
Past Policy
45,600
TR3 Salary Schedule - 2010-2011
Past Policy
45,600
Past Policy
45,100
A teacher with a MA receives the BA salary + $1,100.
|
| What is the annual salary for a teacher with a master's degree and 5 years of experience? |
$54,100 (based on new hire schedule)
Past Policy
$53,600
Past Policy
50,033
Past Policy
49,266
TR3 Salary Schedule - 2010-2011
Past Policy
49,266
Past Policy
48,841
A teacher with a MA receives the BA salary + $1,100.
|
| What is the annual salary for a teacher with a master's degree on the highest step of the salary schedule? |
$65,364 (based on new hire schedule)
Past Policy
$65,171
Past Policy
63,505
Past Policy
77,480
TR3 Salary Schedule - 2010-2011
Past Policy
69,260
Past Policy
68,320
A teacher with a MA receives the BA salary + $1,100.
|
| What is the maximum annual salary available to teachers? What are the education requirements for this salary? In what year of service will a teacher receive this salary? |
$66,464; PhD; 25 (based on new hire schedule)
Past Policy
$66,271 PhD; 25
Past Policy
64,605; PhD; 25
Past Policy
78,041; PhD; 50
|
|
Performance Pay
|
| Is annual salary increase tied to evaluation rating? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| If an annual salary increase is tied to evaluation rating, how do annual salary increases work? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| Aside from annual salary increases, are other aspects of a teacher’s pay based on evaluation rating? |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| Do teachers earn performance pay for factors other than evaluation ratings? |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed document
|
|
Other Differentiated Pay
|
| Can a teacher earn additional pay by working in a school classified as "high-needs"? |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
In accordance with state law, the district participates in the Educator Excellence Award Program, master teachers working in high-need campuses may receive year-end stipends.
Board Policy DEAA (legal), p. 4.: http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Can a teacher earn additional pay by teaching subjects deemed 'hard to staff'? |
yes, $4,000 for bilingual teachers at the elementary level
In accordance with state law, the district can apply to the Commissioner for grants to pay year end stipends to master teachers of reading, math, technology or science.
Board Policy DEAA (legal), p. 4.: http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Can a teacher who has National Board certification earn additional pay? |
yes, $1,000
p. 2.
|
| What compensation is offered to a teacher who serves as a department head at the secondary level? |
$3,000
p. 1.
|
|
General Salary Information
|
| Are uncertified teachers paid less than fully certified teachers? |
Uncertified teachers cannot be the teacher of record
District acknowledges state law
Board Policy DBA (legal), p. 1.: http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Can a teacher get credit on the salary schedule for subject-related work experience? How many years of experience are awarded for subject-related experience? |
Commissioner's rules determine the experience for which a teacher is given credit, in accordance with state law
Board Policy DEA (legal), p. 1.: http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Are teachers eligible for a longevity bonus? If so, in what year(s) of service is a teacher eligible? |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
|
Evaluation System
|
| What is the teacher required to be evaluated on? |
Professional Practice (Planning; Instruction; Learning environment; Professional Practices and Responsibilities)
In accordance with state policy. The state does not require that student growth be a component of the evaluation until 2017-2018. Beginning 2017-2018, it will count 20%. (p. 4) Teachers are required to have a Professional Development Plan as a component of the evaluation process, however they are not rated on the plan.
pp. 3-5.
|
| Do impartial third parties from outside the school serve as evaluators? |
Optional
p. 12.
Past Policy
No
p. 27.
Past Policy
District acknowledges state law.
|
| Is peer review a component of teacher evaluation; what is the nature of the review? |
other
yes - optional, teacher leaders may act as evaluators
p. 12.
|
| Does the evaluation include student input? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| What kind of feedback does a teacher receive following a formal observation(s)? |
Conference with evaluator
p. 24.
|
| What kind of feedback must the teacher receive following an evaluation? |
Conference with evaluator
p. 30.
|
| How many categories of ratings are there? |
5: Distinguished, Accomplished, Proficient, Developing, Improvement Needed
p. 29.
Past Policy
4: Exceeds Expectations, Proficient, Below Expectations, Unsatisfactory
p. 18.
Past Policy
district acknowledges state law
|
| Are evaluators required to give notice of an observation? |
Other
at the discretion of the district; issue not addressed in local policy
Board Policy DNA (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
p. 8.
|
|
Role of Student Achievement in Teacher Evaluation
|
| How is student growth/achievement calculated for teachers of tested subjects? |
N/A (Effective 2017-2018, student growth will count 20%, methodology for calculating is unclear)
p. 4.
|
| How is student achievement/growth calculated for teachers of non-tested subjects? |
N/A (effective 2017-2018, student growth will count 20%, methodology for calculating is unclear)
p. 4.
|
|
Evaluation Requirements for non-tenured Teachers
|
| How frequently do non-tenured teachers receive an evaluation rating? |
Once a year
in accordance with state law
DNA (local and legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| What is the minimum number of times a non-tenured teacher must be observed during the evaluation? |
1
The state requires one formal observations. It recommends additional formal/informal observations. While board policy does not specifically address the number of required observations, it states that the teacher shall participate in an annual review process that includes the elements listed in state rule.
p. 24.
DNA (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| What is the deadline for the first formal observation of the non-tenured teacher? |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| What is the deadline for the final evaluation of the non-tenured teacher? |
15 days before last day of instruction in accordance with state law
DNA (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| What is the required minimum length of the formal observation for a non-tenured teacher? |
45 minutes in accordance with state law
DNA (legal), p. 9: http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
|
Evaluation Requirements for Tenured Teachers
|
| How frequently do tenured teachers receive an evaluation rating? |
Other
once a year unless teacher previously rated at least proficient; formaitive evaluation if eligible for exemption from full evaluation in 2016-2017
During the 2016–17 school year, the District may, with the teacher’s written consent, waive the annual appraisal requirement for a teacher who was eligible for less-than-annual evaluations under the District’s former appraisal system. Teacher must still have a professional development plan and must establish goals. According to state law, a teacher who was rated at least proficient, may be fully evaluated once every five year but must have a professional development plan and set goals in the off years. It is not clear how frequently Ft, Bend tenured teachers will receive a full evaluation moving beyond 2016-2017.
Board Policy DNA (local) & DNA (legal), pp. 5 & 6: http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| What is the minimum number of times a tenured teacher must be observed during the evaluation? |
1
The state requires one formal observations. It recommends additional formal/informal observations. While board policy does not specifically address the number of required observations, it states that the teacher shall participate in an annual review process that includes the elements listed in state rule.
p. 24.
Board Policy DNA (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| What is the deadline for the first formal observation of the tenured teacher? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| What is the deadline for the final evaluation of the tenured teacher? |
15th day before last day of instruction in accordance with state law
Board Policy DNA (legal), p. 5: http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| What is the minimum length of a tenured teacher's formal observation? |
45 minutes in accordance with state law
Board Policy DNA (legal), p. 9: http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
|
Consequences of a Negative Evaluation
|
| Following an unsatisfactory final evaluation, how much time must a tenured teacher (or annual contract where tenure nonexistent) be in formal remediation before s/he may be dismissed or non-renewed at the end of the school year? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Board Policy DNA (local) & DNA (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Does the district assign a mentor or support team to the teacher in remediation? |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Board Policy DNA (local) & DNA (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| How many classroom observations (minimum) are required during remediation? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Board Policy DNA (local) & DNA (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| How long is the remediation process? |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Board Policy DNA (local) & DNA (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Can the teacher file a grievance or formally appeal an evaluation rating if there are no acknowledged procedural violations? |
Yes
Board Policy DNA (LOCAL): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Can a teacher request a second evaluation from a different evaluator? |
Yes
Board Policy DNA (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
|
Layoffs
|
| Must nontenured teachers be laid off before tenured? |
Other
no, if layoffs occur during school year, issue not addressed if layoffs occur at end of school year
Board Policies DFF (legal) & DFFA (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Aside from program and staffing needs, what are the criteria for laying off teachers? |
Other
criteria applied sequentially: qualifications for current and projected assignments, performance, extra duties, professional background, seniority
Board policy does not define the criteria used to layoff non-tenured (probationary) at the end of the year. These criteria apply only to nontenured (probationary) teachers when they are laid off during the school year as well as term contracts who are laid off at any time.
Board Policy DFFA (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| In the case of a layoff, is seniority determined at the school level or district level? |
District level
Board Policy DFFA (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| What is the notification deadline for teacher layoffs? |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| When the district needs to hire new teachers, are laid off teachers either given recall rights or preference? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| How long does a laid off teacher retain recall rights? |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
|
Sick & Personal Leave
|
| What is the total possible number of paid general leave days (sick, personal, and other days used for personal reasons) a teacher can get each year? |
10 (5 local sick days, 5 state personal leave days)
Up to five days of state and/or local leave may be used for death in the immediate family.
pp. 25 & 26.
Board Policies DEC (legal) & DEC (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| What is the total number of paid sick and personal days a teacher gets each year? |
10 (5 local sick days, 5 state personal leave days)
Up to five days of state and/or local leave may be used for death in the immediate family.
pp. 25 & 26.
Board Policies DEC (legal) & DEC (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Can unused sick days carry over from one year to the next? |
Yes
Local sick leave accumulates without limit.
p. 25.
|
| Can unused personal days carry over from one year to the next? |
Yes
State personal leave accumulates without limit.
Board Policies DEC (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| What is the maximum number of sick days a teacher can accumulate? |
no maximum
There is no limit on the accumulation of local sick leave and state personal leave.
p. 25.
Board Policy DEC (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| After how many days of absence does a teacher have to provide medical documentation for sick leave? |
3 consecutive or as a result of any questionable pattern of absence
p. 25.
|
|
Professional Development Leave
|
| Is there additional paid leave for any professional development not already scheduled and required by the district? How much? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
|
Other Leave
|
| Apart from general leave (sick, personal, and other leave for personal reasons) and professional development, what other types of paid leave does the district offer? |
assault, jury duty, court appearances, military service (15 days a year), catastrophic leave (30 days annually if on FML, maximum 60 days a lifetime)
pp. 29-32.
|
| Is leave available for a teacher to attend union associated activities (not counting leave given to elected union representatives)? |
n/a; there is no collective bargaining unit or agreement in this district
|
|
Attendance Incentives
|
| When are leave days restricted or subject to refusal? |
first and last day of school, day before or after a school holiday, end-of-semester or year-end exams, professional or staff development days, last teacher workday, if more than 10% of the total staff of a school or department that exceeds ten people
If the principal/supervisor determines the employee’s presence is critical to the instructional program or the operation of the school/department, discretionary leave may be denied.
p. 26.
Board Policy DEC (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Can a teacher earn additional pay or leave days for demonstrating good job attendance? How much? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| Can a teacher receive payment for unused sick leave at the end of each school year? How much? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| Can a teacher receive payment for unused personal leave at the end of each school year? How much? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| Can a teacher receive payment for unused sick leave at retirement? How much? |
Yes
$75 per day for up to 150 days
Employees must have served in the district for ten or more continuous years.
p. 33.
Board Policy DEC (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
|
| Can a teacher receive payment for unused personal leave at retirement? How much? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
|
Transfers
|
| Are internal transfers given priority over new hires for vacant positions? |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| Are principals and/or site selection committees allowed to select voluntary transfer applicants to hire? If not, then how are voluntary transfers assigned to schools? |
yes; all campus assignments must be approved by the principal in accordance with state law
Board Policy DK (legal): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
p. 15.
|
| Separate from excessing, does the district allow school or district administrators to involuntarily transfer a teacher to another school? If so, for what reasons is he/she allowed to initiate such a transfer? |
yes, "best interest" of district
Board Policy DK (local): http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/483
p. 15.
|
|
Identifying Involuntary Transfers Due to Excessing
|
| Are teachers identified for excessing in reverse order of seniority? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
| How are teachers identified for excessing? |
issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|
|
Placing Excessed Teachers
|
| How are excessed teachers assigned to schools? |
Central office places teachers but method of placement is not clearly stated.
p. 15.
|
| If excessed teachers are not hired by mutual consent, what happens if there are no available openings? |
Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
|