Unit Information 11-2004
More Issues That Need Clarification re: Units & Salary Schedule
November 2004
1. I have course approvals from last year which were approved by Human Resources. I did not attend some of those courses. Am I able to attend those courses based on the fact that I have approvals in front of me, or do I need to get them re-approved?
Approval is given for certain courses to be taken at certain points in time. If you did not take the courses when you originally planned to take them, you would need to resubmit them for approval.
2. Can excess units transfer with you (after 3, 6, or 9 are deducted for the block move) to the next block? Or does the 3-year time frame mean that some of those units expire before the next time we need to do the count?
When you reach the last cell at the end of the block, credit is only given for 3 units in order to move into the next block. Carryover units will not be recognized and do not transfer over with you. The rationale for this is that once you move into the next block, you once again have 3 years to accumulate 9 units. In other words, every new block starts at zero and units may be accumulated up to 9 units within 3 years.
3. The preapproval forms say that teachers taking Sally Ride classes must make a choice between receiving units or receiving a $100 stipend for the 2004-05 school year. I thought the choice began next year.
Teachers may receive credit, units, and a stipend for this past summer which was at the end of the 2003-04 school year. Next summer will be counted toward the present 2004-05 school year, which is when the choice will need to be made.
4. If someone is attempting to earn 6 units to advance two steps to the next block, how many topics do their units have to cover?
Two topics must be covered to earn 3 units during this first year, three topics should be covered to earn 6 units, and four topics should be covered to earn 9 units.
5. If someone wants to use a 3-credit class for both lane advancement and units, does the teacher need to fill out 2 forms-both the course approval form and the unit preapproval form?
Yes. If a lane change will result, the teacher needs to follow previously established procedures by submitting a copy of sealed transcripts to Human Resources in addition to applying for a unit (or units). If a teacher wishes to receive a unit (or units) and no lane change will result, documentation or evidence that the course was completed (such as a grade report or transcript) is needed. No additional coursework beyond assigned coursework needs to be done in order to receive a unit.
6. The guidelines say that teachers are going to receive "feedback" on their unit work. What form will this feedback take?
The Professional Development Proposal for Unit Plan Checklist/Guide will be used by all administrators.
7. Please confirm where the different copies of the Unit Verification Form go.
This is being addressed in a draft which will soon be made available.
8. Are the examples that we were given of unit proposals actually negotiated proposals? And who gets proposals involving special ed teachers?
Those examples could be used as written for units, or they could be changed and adapted to fit the needs of your students. Although they were not officially negotiated, they do provide the structure for how a proposal could look. All Pupil Service proposals go to either Kaleen Morkin or Kathi Shepardson with the exception of building-driven proposals.
9. What is the process for receiving units for the classes taken in an approved Master's program?
After a Master's program has been approved by Human Resources, individual courses will need to be approved for units by attaching each individual course description to a Unit Proposal Form and submitting it to your principal for approval. Following completion of the course, a grade report or transcript may be used as documentation to show that you met the requirements for earning a unit (or units).
10. If someone takes a 1-credit course and a 3-credit course, does this equal 4 credits?
Yes, but remember that credits are not units. A 1-credit course would equal 0.5 units, while a 3-credit course equals 2 units. Separate courses may not be "lumped together" for a group of units.
11. How many units can be earned for a 4-credit university course?
A 4-credit course will equal 2.5 units. (Remember that 1 credit = 0.5 units, 2 credits = 1 unit, and 3 credits = 2 units)
12. If someone is moving into the MA lane, that would only allow for lateral movement and not vertical. Can this person also earn units which can be carried over?
Yes, but they would need to get approval for units on a course by course basis, even in a Master's Degree program.
Again, please be reminded that as we are working through this units practice year, the only way we know how it is working is by getting your feedback. The Negotiations Team is working hard to provide consistent answers to everyone in a timely fashion. You may email your concerns to me. I am particularly interested in situations when pre-negotiated units are not approved. I would ask that you just provide the facts without editorializing.