The overriding theme of the proposed DOE-UFT contract agreement is empowering educators to fight for the working conditions they need to do their jobs.

In the proposed contract announced on Oct. 11, the UFT has negotiated an expedited process to bring relief to teachers facing oversize classes sooner and to address unresolved violations that must go to arbitration faster.

With the UFT’s help, a problem at the International HS at Prospect Heights is now water under the bridge and a state-of-the-art water station is making a big splash.

The UFT reported a modest decrease in the total number of oversize classes in New York City public schools this fall for the second year in a row. By the tenth day of school, 401 schools citywide were out of compliance with 2,056 oversize classes, compared with 437 schools with 2,181 classes the previous year.

A successful UFT pilot program that places teachers from the Absent Teacher Reserve with small groups of students for focused reading instruction will provide more opportunity for ATRs after its inclusion in the DOE-UFT tentative contract agreement.

Some 560 school districts nationwide have moved to a four-day school week. The move to pack the same number of instructional hours into four days — principally done to save money — has divided school communities.