WHEREAS, according to DOE guidelines, the number of observations for tenured teachers is determined based on their prior ratings as follows 

• HE in the prior year: minimum of two informal observations
• E in the prior year and HE, E or S in the year before that: minimum of two informal observations
• E in the prior year and D, I or U in the year before that: minimum of three informal observations
• E in the prior year and No Rating in the year before that: minimum of one informal and one formal observation
• D in the prior year: minimum of one formal and three informal observations
• I in the prior year: minimum of one formal and four informal observations
• No Rating in the prior year: minimum of one formal and three informal observations; and

WHEREAS, tenured teachers who are on a leave of absence for a year do not receive a rating, which then places them in the category to receive additional observations (three informal and one formal) upon their return; and

WHEREAS, this practice disproportionately impacts teachers on leave for reasons such as child care, line of duty, restoration of health, among other approved leaves; and

WHEREAS, it is inequitable to change the number of observations for teachers based on circumstances such as having a child or recovering from an injury sustained while working; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT will advocate for tenured teachers who receive a “No Rating” due to their leave of absence to have their observation requirements determined based on their most recent full-year rating (within the prior three years) rather than arbitrarily increasing their minimum number of observations.