chapter 6- Faculty Associate Handbook, ISU

The Laboratory Schools follow the specifications of The School Code of Illinois in granting “contractual continued service” to faculty associates. According to 105 ILCS 5/124-11, any teacher who has been employed by the Laboratory School prior to January 1, 1998, as a full-time teacher for a probationary period of two consecutive school terms shall enter upon contractual continued service unless given written notice of dismissal stating the specific reason therefor, by certified mail, return receipt requested, by the employer at least 45 days before the end of such period.

Any teacher who is employed on or after January 1, 1998, and who has not before that date already entered upon contractual continued service with the employer, the probationary period shall be four consecutive school terms before the teacher shall enter upon contractual continued service. For the purpose of determining contractual continued service, the first probationary year shall be any full-time employment from a date before November 1 through the end of the school year.

Any full-time teacher who is not completing the last year of the probationary period described in the preceding paragraph, or any teacher employed on a full-time basis not later than January 1 of the school term, shall receive written notice from the employer at least 45 days before the end of any school term whether or not he/she will be re-employed for the following school term. If the employer fails to give such notice, the employee shall be deemed re-employed, and not later than the close of the then current school term the employer shall issue a regular contract to the employee as though the employer had re-employed her/him in the usual manner.

II. Criteria for Contractual Continued Service

Unit-wide criteria for contractual continued service will be provided to faculty. Under no circumstances should a candidate be promised or in any way assured of contractual continued service. Contractual continued service criteria reflect the Laboratory School Mission. Although baseline requirements for all probationary faculty associates are outlined below, the criteria may be modified to address the unique assignments included in the classification of University employees known as faculty associates. Such modifications will be communicated to probationary faculty associates at the beginning of their assignment in the Laboratory Schools.

A. Consideration for contractual continued service is predicated upon receipt of state certification or other endorsements that are required for the assigned position.

B. There must be evidence of continuing high quality professional performance throughout the probationary period that reflects the four-fold mission of the Laboratory Schools: teacher education, research, teaching, and service to education.

Teacher Education
In cooperation with campus departments, Laboratory School faculty must provide an environment in which excellence in educational theory and practice can be observed, studied, and demonstrated.

Research
The candidate must demonstrate research productivity in areas related to College, school, and departmental goals. Such productivity could include, but is not limited to: preparation and dissemination of curriculum materials, action research, submission of at least one article for publication in an appropriate journal, and submission of a grant proposal.

Teaching
The candidate must provide a comprehensive, high quality academic program for Thomas Metcalf and University High School students. The candidate must demonstrate evidence of satisfactory performance of the core expectations as outlined in the Professional Growth/Teacher Evaluation plan for faculty associates. The evaluation will be based upon peer and administrative reviews of classroom performance and teaching artifacts stored in individual teacher portfolios.

Professional Service
The candidate should provide evidence of satisfactory professional service. Evidence includes, but is not limited to: service on Laboratory School or University committees, serving as non-paid sponsors of co-curricular activities, serving as an officer of a professional organization, conference attendance, and presentations at professional meetings.

Professional Growth

The candidate will hold membership in professional organizations.

The candidate will successfully complete the requirements of the Induction phase of the Professional Growth/Teacher Evaluation plan for faculty associates.

The candidate must show reasonable progress towards completing a master’s degree by the end of the four-year probationary period.

III. Dismissal/Removal of Contractual Continued Service

A. Any full-time teacher who is completing a year of probation shall receive written notice from the administration at least 45 days before the end of the school term saying whether or not he/she will be re-employed for the following school term. No reasons are required to be stated for termination during the four-year probationary period. Thus, there is no appeal process.

B. If dismissal or removal of a contractual continued service faculty associate is sought for cause, it shall be based upon: (1) incompetency either to teach, discipline, or participate in the Laboratory School-related work, (2) cruelty to students, (3) negligence of duties and responsibilities, (4) negligence in attending to assigned tasks, (5) immorality, (6) insubordination, (7) conduct detrimental to the best interest of the Laboratory School.

Faculty Associates on continuing contract must be given written notice of dismissal stating the specific reasons for dismissal by registered mail by the administration of the University at least 45 days before the end of such period.

IV. Appeal Process for Dismissal of Teachers with Contractual Continued Service

Removal or dismissal of faculty associates in contractual continued service may be appealed through the procedures specified in The School Code of Illinois.

V. Resignations

According to Section 24-14 of The School Code of Illinois, “A teacher who has entered into contractual continued service may resign at any time by obtaining concurrence [from the administration] or by serving at least 30 days’ written notice. However, no teacher may resign during the school term, without the concurrence of the [administration], in order to accept another teaching assignment. Any teacher terminating said service not in accordance with this Section is guilty of unprofessional conduct and liable to suspension of certificate for a period not to exceed one year.”

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