The provisions in the DOE-UFT contract regarding program preferences and professional activity assignments give teachers a voice about which classes they will teach the following year and which professional activities they are assigned.

Program preferences

Each spring, all teachers should receive a preference sheet to indicate, in order of preference, the classes they would like to teach the following school year.

All teachers should ask for assignments in their license area. This is especially important for probationary teachers, who could have their tenure delayed if they teach out of license.

Teachers should be given a reasonable amount of time — at least five school days — to submit the sheet, which can be issued either electronically or on paper. Before submitting their preference sheet to the principal, teachers should make a copy for their records.

Elementary school teachers should be notified of their teaching assignment for the next school year by June 15. Middle and high school teachers should receive finalized programs at least five and 10 days, respectively, before the last day of school.

Professional activities

By April 15, the school chapter leader and the principal should meet to consult on the professional activities that will be on the menu at their school for the next school year.

The 2023 contract expanded the menu of professional activities to include up to 27 options. A given school’s menu must have at least six options from the contractual menu. Each activity on the menu must also mention the number of positions available, the qualifications required, and the duties and responsibilities entailed.

After a school’s professional activities menu is finalized, teachers with a professional period in their teaching program (that is, all middle and high school teachers, as well as elementary teachers with an eight-period day) will select, in order of preference, three activities for the following school year. If teachers want to participate in an activity not listed on the menu, they can do so with the principal’s approval.

Assignments and issues

Principals must notify teachers in writing by the end of the school year about professional activity assignments for the coming school year.

Selection for professional activities will be based on established criteria for the requested activity and its availability. If a teacher is not given one of their three choices, they will be given the opportunity to select three other menu activities.

In addition, the 2023 contract stipulates that administrators should prioritize assigning special education teachers to common planning time and student-assessment activities such as portfolios, Individualized Education Programs and performance tests.

Teachers should not be programmed for more than three teaching assignments and more than four working assignments.

If you don’t receive your program by the end of the school year, or your selection was not honored, you may be able to file a reorganization grievance; talk to your chapter leader for guidance.