Elementary Schools
Teachers are programmed for a school day that has either seven or eight periods per day. In seven-period schools, teachers are programmed for 25 teaching periods, a daily 50-minute duty-free lunch period and five 45-minute preparation periods per week. In eight-period schools, teachers are programmed for 29 teaching periods, a daily 50-minute duty-free lunch period, five 45-minute preparation periods and one non-teaching professional activity period per week.
Any change to the current number of periods that are programmed requires agreement of the chapter leader and principal through the SBO process only. This is the only SBO that does not sunset at the end of the school year.
As per the 2023 DOE-UFT contract, elementary teacher programs should have no more than three consecutive teaching assignments and no more than four consecutive working assignments (including professional activities) whenever administratively possible. In addition, elementary school student dismissal must be structured so that UFT-represented employees do not perform dismissal duties beyond the instructional day.
JHS/IS/MS Schools
Your teaching program must consist of 25 teaching periods, five preparation periods, five professional periods and five duty-free lunch periods per week.
Teacher programs should have no more than three consecutive teaching assignments and no more than four consecutive working assignments (including professional activities) whenever administratively possible.
High Schools
In single session schools, your teaching program must consist of a maximum of 25 teaching periods, five preparation periods, five professional periods and five duty-free lunch periods. Teacher programs should have no more than three consecutive teaching assignments and no more than four consecutive working assignments (including professional activities) whenever administratively possible.
In multi-session schools, your teaching program must consist of a maximum of 25 teaching periods, five preparation periods, four professional periods, one unassigned, other professional work period and five duty-free lunch periods. Teacher programs should have no more than three consecutive teaching assignments and no more than four consecutive working assignments (including professional activities) whenever administratively possible.
Resolving problems with programs
- If you have questions about your program or believe your program includes contractual violations, speak to your chapter leader about informally resolving the issues or possibly filing a reorganization grievance.
- Grievances regarding teacher programs are reorganization grievances and must be filed within two days from knowledge of a problem, so speak to your chapter leader as soon as you believe that your program does not follow contractual guidelines.
See what the contract says about teacher programs by reading articles 7A2, 7B4, 7C1 and 7K2.
Also see Professional Activity Options, Professional Activity Procedures.