Teacher Contracts in Massachusetts. White Paper.

This report is an initial effort to provide systematic information on teacher contracts in Massachusetts. In 1999, the Pioneer Institute solicited copies of the current contract from all districts in the state. Forty districts were selected to reflect the makeup of the Commonwealth. This study confirms that teacher compensation is determined by rigid schedules that reward solely the accumulation of college credits and experience. Teacher evaluation and discipline vary considerably among districts. Contracts vary considerably in the way they treat transfers. Few districts are required to make transfer decisions solely on the basis of seniority. When layoffs are required, most districts in the sample proceed in reverse order of seniority in the affected program areas. Contracts limit teachers' workloads by restricting class size, number and length of classes, number of preparations and subjects, length of the work year, and the number and length of after-school meetings. Two general conclusions are drawn: (1) there is considerable variation among contracts; and (2) although administrators are constrained by contracts, they do not take advantage of negotiated flexible language to serve the educational mission of their schools. The report ends with 18 tables exhibiting contract characteristics for each district selected in the study. (RT)