Why Are Teachers Being Re-assigned After School Starts?
We know this has been a tough beginning of the school year for PUSD families whose students are enrolled in schools that have lower enrollment than projected. Projecting how many students will show up at the beginning of the next school year can be challenging on a typical year, but it was especially challenging this year as families were displaced by the fires. Here’s an explanation of what’s happening, why teachers were moved, and what parents can do.
What is Census Day?
Census Day (commonly referred to as Norm Day) is when the district takes an official enrollment count at each school. This is the first Wednesday in October. School districts across California compare actual student enrollment on Census Day to their projected enrollment to make sure staffing (number of teachers) matches the number of students.
Per its contract with the Teachers Union (UTP), PUSD made staffing decisions based on student headcounts during the first two weeks of school. This allows students and families to settle in more quickly rather than dragging out changes.
Why does it matter?
If a school has fewer students than projected, it may have too many teachers according to the staffing formula. In this case, one or more teachers could be reassigned. This year, Altadena Arts Magnet is one example of a school that had more students register for the French program than physically showed up at the school.
If a school has more students than projected, it may gain a teaching position, which means a teacher from a low enrollment school would be re-assigned there. For example, Madison had more students show up than expected, so they needed to add a teacher.
The goal is to balance staffing across the district so that every school has teachers in proportion to its actual student count.
What teachers get re-assigned?
· If a school loses a teaching position due to lower enrollment than was projected, per the UTP contract, the least senior teacher in that subject and/or grade level is moved from that school to another school where there is an opening.
Why does California do this?
California law and collective bargaining agreements require districts to staff schools based on enrollment-driven formulas.
Districts can’t afford to keep “extra” teachers at one school if another school is short-staffed.
This ensures equity across schools since every school has appropriate staffing. It also keeps expenses in check so school districts don’t overstaff based on incorrect projections.
Is this typical? Has PUSD Had to Move Teachers Before?
· Yes, it’s typical in California public schools, and especially in dual language immersion programs when new students seldom enroll after kindergarten. Although it doesn’t happen every year, it does happen frequently. Here’s what PEN Board Chair Jennifer Allan Goldman had to say about her experience when Hamilton Elementary had to modify their 4th and 5th grade classes:
“My oldest was in 5th grade when the school went from four 5th grade classes to three. It happened early in the year (before Census Day) so the kids and parents were able to transition easily. My youngest experienced something very similar a few years later, when the 5th grade went down to 2.5 classrooms: two 5th-grade only and one combined 4th/5th class. This happened 6-8 weeks into the school year, at a point when the students were settled into the new routine. My kid was very upset, as he had just figured out how to work with his teacher. While the situation wasn’t ideal (the 5th grade classes had 34 students each), the school provided the teachers support through small group pull-outs with the Instructional Coach and other staff members, and the kids learned flexibility. I would have preferred it happened earlier in the year, however the principal was trying very hard to maintain the three 5th grade classrooms.”
What is the impact on students?
Students may need to switch teachers or classes a few weeks into the school year. In order to minimize the impact, this school year PUSD made their changes earlier based on the student headcount.
Although students or families might feel unsettled, in our experience, when families respond with a positive attitude, students adjust quickly.
The ultimate goal is equity, so remember we want what is best for all students in all PUSD schools.
Is there anything parents can do?
Talk openly with your students about the change, acknowledge their feelings, and if needed, reassure them.
Remember that only the district can hire and place teachers, so parents cannot pay for teachers who are in UTP.
Communicate with the new teacher. You might also suggest a special “Coffee with the Teacher” since changes were made after Back to School Night.
Contact your elected officials to advocate that school funding should be based on Student Enrollment rather than Average Daily Attendance.
Keep a positive attitude and remember that what you say publicly will impact whether other families have a positive or negative perception of the school district. If the public hears negative messages, they are less likely to enroll in PUSD or vote for measures that support our schools, leaving PUSD with even less funding for teachers and facilities. (To clarify, PEN believes strongly that parents should have a voice. Our intention was to remind parents to get all the information, and to consider how and where they advocate to get the desired results)