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I want to choose a professional activity that is not on the contractual menu. What do I do?

If you would like to do a professional activity that is not on the contractual list, you can propose it to your principal, whose approval is required before you undertake the activity. Also, the 2018 Contract made it possible for chapters to use the...

How is Teacher’s Choice funded? Is it a contractual right?

The New York City Council created Teacher’s Choice decades ago after intense lobbying by the UFT. Teacher’s Choice is not guaranteed from year to year; the UFT has to lobby for funding for the program in every year’s city budget. Teacher’s Choice is...

What is a school-based option?

A school-based option is a modification of the UFT/DOE contract that has been approved by the UFT staff, principal, UFT District Rep, Superintendent, UFT President, and the Chancellor in order to improve education in the school. It provides schools...

Do retirees receive lump-sum retroactive payments?

Yes. Those who worked during the contract period and retired prior to June 30, 2014 received one lump-sum payment for all monies owed in February 2015. (date changes are for consistency throughout document) Those who retired effective July 1, 2014 or...

Does my school have to provide me with classroom/instructional supplies and materials?

Yes, it must. Under the DOE-UFT contract, it is your school’s obligation to provide you with “appropriate and sufficient basic instructional supplies and books,” including textbooks, paper, assessment materials, chalk, microscopes and math...

I am an occupational therapist/physical therapist. What are my retention rights for taking a leave? Do I have the right to return to my school after my leave is over?

As a result of the 2018 DOE-UFT contract, occupational therapists/physical therapists on a leave have the right to return to their school if the leave is for one year or less. A therapist on a leave should reach out to their supervisor at some point...

What is the school’s obligation to provide Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) teachers regular common planning time?

Co-teachers must collaboratively plan, prepare and facilitate lessons, activities and projects, so they must be given regular common-planning time during the workday. According to the 2023 contract, ​​schools with professional activity periods will...

I'm a member of a functional chapter represented by the UFT. Where can I find more information and news about issues specific to my job role?

UFT functional chapter members--such as a school counselor, a social worker or school secretary, for example--can find information tailored to their chapter's specific needs on the UFT website. Around 40 functional chapters have their own sections of...

Where do my UFT dues go?

UFT members’ dues pay for the full array of services that your union provides to support you and your career — everything from professional support services and development to help you be better at your job to negotiating and enforcing the contract...

What is the class size limit for music instruction courses?

In elementary and middle/intermediate schools, the contract is silent on class sizes for music instruction. It is the Union’s position that no class in elementary school should exceed 32 students (25 for kindergarten and 18 for pre-K) or 33 students...