Common Core Side Letter

Common Core Joint Committee Agreement

October 14, 2014

The bargained joint Common Core Committee agreed to the following ways to streamline implementation of the Common Core Side Letter and to provide additional opportunities to ensure educators receive Common Core professional development and PLC time during the 2014-2015 school year:

Common Core and PLC FAQ

October 10, 2014

SDEA leaders and staff have received many questions and concerns regarding the districts implementation of CCSS, curriculum/resources, and the PLC’s.  The CCSS and their implementation are a hot topic not only in SDUSD, but across California and the nation. Download this FAQ for answers to common questions.

Common Core Agreement Clarified

August 22, 2014

Based on feedback from SDEA members and school sites, SDEA and SDUSD have agreed to several clarifications of the Common Core Side Letter (full text available HERE). During the 2014-15 school year, members will continue to receive two half-days or one full day of Common Core release time. However, members will now have the option of continuing to meet on site in their Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), or can opt to instead attend an off-site Professional Development (PD) focused on Common Core each month.

The parties agreed:

This summary further clarifies the side letter between the San Diego Unified School District and the San Diego Education Association Common Core State Standards: Impacts and Effects dated November 18, 2013.  With the understanding that PLCs are teacher directed, principal facilitated, and student focused, teachers may choose to attend Common Core based grade level/subject area professional development led by the District as part of their collaborative Professional Learning Community (PLC). Attendance is strictly voluntary, but participation in the appropriate Professional Development by grade level/subject area team is recommended. Participation in the PD shall be considered as time spent within the PLC of the two (2) half days per month teachers are provided as per the CCSS I/E Side letter.

Additionally, the parties agreed:

1) There will be no administrative pressure to attend the PD in lieu of site PLC time.

2) The PD is about teachers’ desire for additional learning and is not being offered in an attempt to hold them accountable for the PD content.

3) A calendar of PD will be provided to show the number of grade span and subject area offerings.

4) PD may be offered by geographic areas, but the intent is to ensure a flexibility of offerings if one of the PD offerings in a different area is more convenient for site based needs.

5) If after hours work is done on the PLC, Appendix A, 7.011 Non Classroom Assignment rate will be paid.

6) Alternative offerings for PLC time needs to still meet the time equivalent of 2 half day per month offered in the 2014-15 school year. The payment from CC funds of all is not the concern; ensuring the time (even if made up as other types of time from a modified day, planning time, etc.) is the key.

Common Core Agreement Reached

November 19, 2013

After two negotiations session on November 8 and November 18, 2013, the SDEA Bargaining Team reached an agreement on the negotiable issues in SDUSD’s Common Core State Standards (CCSS) implementation plan. Specifics related to the implementation that directly impact working conditions and compensation were professional development, planning and preparation for CCSS implementation, and compensation.

The agreement provides educators the needed time to have access to training, knowledge, and adequate time and resources for planning.

The agreement:

  • Provides one voluntary day of Common Core Professional Development for all contracted bargaining unit member at pro-rata pay based on the professional day. The dates(s) will be determined by Dec. 20.
  • Ensures on-site planning and collaboration time effective January 2014 of two half days a month for all elementary teachers and secondary English, math, social studies and science teachers.
  • Requires compensation at the non- classroom rate of pay for unit members who agree to facilitate site PD’S and are required to plan or prepare beyond the regular workday.
  • Establishes a Joint Committee composed of 50% SDEA bargaining unit members appointed by the union to monitor, but not limited to, the implementation of this agreement.

Additionally SDUSD withdrew their original concept of a lead teacher and therefore was deleted from our proposals. The parties did not reach agreement regarding the continuation of the current elementary modified prep time through June 30, 2015. Presently, the Standards Based Report Card remains the current report card, and the prep time protections in Section 8.5.8.3 of the contract remain in effect.

Click the link below for a copy of the agreement (Side Letter):

SDEA Bargaining Team members representing you at the table were: Chris Boyd, Bethune K-8 Counselor, Lindsay Burningham E.B. Scripps El., Donna Pilkington, MET SPED, Patrick Schoettler, Millennial Tech. M.S, Claudia Weimer, Doyle El., and Tim Hill, SDEA Executive Director.