PR03: 2012
New Teachers’ Union Contract Now In Effect at Green Dot Schools
Teacher-Designed Evaluation Process and Professional Support to Serve as State Model
Los Angeles - Green Dot Public Schools announced a new contract agreement with their local teacher union, Asociación de Maestros Unidos (AMU), that provides a salary schedule step increase, a catch-up provision, and an innovative bonus program tied to teacher effectiveness. The contract, designed by teachers and ratified by vote of union members in May, officially went into effect July 1.
“In a time when the state has suffered severe cutbacks in education, we’re pleased our teachers will be better paid, better protected and better supported,” said Marco Petruzzi, Green Dot Public Schools’ President and CEO. “That is really a win for our students because it furthers our goal of having excellent instruction in every classroom.”
Under the new agreement, teachers will go through a more fair and comprehensive evaluation and development process, which will include multiple observations, ongoing feedback, and opportunities for professional growth. Test scores will be just one among multiple measures used for evaluation. Other key attributes of the agreement include a two-year pilot program for bonuses based on teacher effectiveness, and three additional professional development days for new teachers.
“We believe we’re on the right path to creating a more meaningful way of assessing teacher effectiveness,” added Dr. Cristina de Jesus, Green Dot’s Chief Academic Officer, speaking about the evaluation and development tools included the new contract. “Our goal is to become the leader in supporting teachers in their professional growth.”
The development and implementation of these tools was backed by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. The Department’s Teacher Incentive Fund will be used to support the pilot program for bonuses.
AMU is a local affiliate of the California Teachers Association that represents 510 teachers at all 18 Green Dot campuses in the greater Los Angeles area.
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About Green Dot Public Schools
Green Dot Public Schools is the one the largest Charter Management Organizations in Southern California, operating 18 public charter schools - 14 public high schools and four middle school - in Los Angeles’ highest-need communities. Green Dot’s teachers and classified staff are members of Asociación de Maestros Unidos and Ánimo Classified Employees Association, local affiliates of the California Teachers Association, giving these teachers and staff the respect and flexibility to do their best work for students. These schools are publicly funded and free to attend. For more information visit: www.greendot.org
