I. PURPOSE: To outline for the school year nonrenewal and extension-ofprobation procedures for probationary and conditional teachers.

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1 I. PURPOSE: To outline for the school year nonrenewal and extension-ofprobation procedures for probationary and conditional teachers. II. III. IV. CITY SCHOOLS ESSENTIAL: Resources that promote high achievement for every student. GOVERNING POLICY/REGULATORY IMPLICATIONS: Baltimore City School Board of School Commissioners Rules, Md. Code Ann. Educ. Art., COMAR, and BTU contract. IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES: A. This policy sets forth the practices of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners (the Board) for the nonrenewal and extension of probation of Probationary Teachers and the nonrenewal of Conditional Teachers. B. This policy is not intended in any manner to limit City Schools ability to non-renew its teachers. The policy is intended to ensure that City Schools follows timely, uniform processes and that affected teachers receive equitable treatment. C. This policy does not apply to nonrenewal for lapse in certification. Refer questions regarding certification to the Office of Licensure and HQ at or D. This policy does not apply to dismissal for cause and, except as described below at VIII.A., does not apply to Tenured Teachers, who are not subject to nonrenewal. For questions regarding the dismissal of tenured teachers, please consult with a member of the labor relations team at V. DEFINITIONS: A. Tenured Teacher: A teacher holding an MSDE Professional Certificate who has successfully completed the probationary period with City Schools. B. Probationary Teacher: A teacher who holds a Professional Certificate who has not successfully completed the probationary period set forth in the Regular Contract. Teachers previously tenured in another Maryland school district who transfer to City Schools temporarily revert to probationary status for one year. C. Conditional Teacher: A teacher who holds a Conditional or Resident Teacher Certificate and is party to the Provisional Contract. VI. SUPPORTS FOR THE STRUGGLING TEACHER A. As soon as a principal recognizes that a probationary teacher is struggling in any of the PBES evaluation areas, several support and improvement measures should be initiated, including: CITY SCHOOLS SUPPORTING GUIDANCE NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION PAGE 1

2 1. Performance Improvement Plan: should include clear, substantive teacher support, including regularly scheduled PIP appraisal reviews. At each PIP review, the teacher always should have the opportunity to submit comments; and sign the review. 2. Mentoring: could include co-teaching, visits to comparable classrooms, coordinated lesson planning, model teaching, and IST support. 3. Professional Development: opportunities are created through the Office of Teaching and Learning and include a variety of workshops for all content areas offered after school and on weekends. B. For assistance in creating a comprehensive plan to improve a teacher s effectiveness, contact Jarrod Bolte, Office of Teaching and Learning, at or JBolte@bcps.k12.md.us. VII. DOCUMENTATION SUPPORTING NONRENEWALS OR EXTENSIONS OF PROBATION Nonrenewal and extensions of probation should be supported by careful documentation, including Formal Observations, Mid-Year Performance Report, Annual Evaluation, PIPs, and mentoring memos. An outline of the basic observation and evaluation procedural requirements is attached to this Guidance 533. A summary of such documentation: A. Formal Observations: All City Schools teachers must be formally observed twice each year first, before December 1, 2010 and second, before April 1, 2011 each time by a different Qualified Observer. The same Qualified Observer CANNOT conduct both Formal Observations. B. Mid-Year Performance Report: Prior to January 15, 2011, all City Schools teachers should receive formal, mid-year evaluations. If any PBES domain is rated unsatisfactory even if the overall rating is satisfactory that teacher must be placed on a PIP. C. Annual Evaluation: The principal bears the responsibility for all Annual Evaluations. All Unsatisfactory Annual Evaluations must be conducted before May 1, If any PBES domain is rated unsatisfactory even if the overall rating is satisfactory that teacher must be placed on a PIP. D. Miscellaneous Supporting Documentation: PIPs and evidence of supports described at VI. VIII. CONTRACTUAL POLICY ON DELIVERY OF NOTICE A. Probationary Teachers Probationary Teachers under the Regular Contract. 1. Nonrenewal or Extension of Probation CITY SCHOOLS SUPPORTING GUIDANCE NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION PAGE 2

3 a. Teachers newly hired for the school year (and so currently in their second year under the Regular Contract): will automatically earn tenure at the close of this school year unless they are nonrenewed or their probation is extended for a third year. b. Teachers newly hired this school year and hereafter: the Regular Contract automatically renews from year to year for three years absent timely written notice of nonrenewal. 2. Timely Written Notice Not Later than May 1, To ensure compliance with the May 1 deadline, City Schools shall require delivery of notices as described below. B. Conditional Teachers Conditional Teachers are hired under the Provisional Contract. 1. Conditional Teachers are employed under the Provisional Contract, which automatically expires on June Although the Provisional Contract expires on its own, as a courtesy, City Schools intends to notify Conditional Teachers by delivery of notices described below. IX. SUBMISSION OF NONRENEWAL RECOMMENDATIONS: A. Recommendations for nonrenewal and extension of probation must be submitted using eforms and must include executed supporting documentation described herein (e.g., PIP, both First and Second Formal Observations, Mid-year Performance Review, Annual Evaluation, mentoring memos, etc.) electronically attached to the eform. B. Principals may use the Electronic Forms link on the ERP Portal tree icon ( and select the Nonrenewal or Extension of Probation Form from the City Schools folder to submit recommendations. CITY SCHOOLS SUPPORTING GUIDANCE NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION PAGE 3

4 X. TIMELINE March 21, 2011 March 25, 2011 March 28 April 6, 2011 April 7-17, 2011 April 18-25, 2011 Directions and forms for nonrenewal and extension-of-probation recommendations posted to City Schools Desk Reference. Principals submit to Labor Relations for review eforms for all recommendations of nonrenewal or extension of probation, with supporting documentation scanned and attached to eform. Labor Relations review recommendations for presence of appropriate documentation to support nonrenewal or extension of probation. Labor Relations forward to ED for approval or rejection of principal recommendation. EDs electronically submit to Chief Human Capital Officer for review all approved/denied recommendations of nonrenewal or extension of probation. Principals notify teachers in person of non-renewals and extensions of probation in advance of official notification letters sent by OHC. OHC Staffing generates letters for principals to share with impacted staff (OHC staffing will send official letters on April 26 th to all affected staff) Conversations must be completed NO LATER THAN April 25 th. On the form provided by OHC, Principals shall obtain written, signed, and dated acknowledgement of each discussion, which acknowledgement shall be returned to OHC to the attention of Labor Relations. Questions directed to OHC regarding reasons supporting a nonrenewal or extension of probation will be referred to the principal, supervisor, and/or the Executive Director. April 26, 2011 OHC Staffing prepares and mails notification letters to affected teachers. OHC CONTACT INFORMATION: Jerome Jones jjones05@bcps.k12.md.us Ami Magunia amagunia@bcps.k12.md.us CITY SCHOOLS SUPPORTING GUIDANCE NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION PAGE 4

5 The undersigned teacher and principal hereby acknowledge in-person delivery of verbal and written notice of nonrenewal or extension of probation, as the case may be, on the date set forth below. _ Teacher Name _ Principal Name Teacher refused to sign. _ Witness Name CITY SCHOOLS SUPPORTING GUIDANCE NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION PAGE 5