What is your definition of a Category 3 contract?  Please explain the details.

Please refer to the “Idaho Teacher Employment Contracts and Due Process Rights” chart to learn more about the similarities and differences between a Category 3 and the new Category 4 contract that would be available under ISTARS. Click here to view the chart

If I take the Career Opportunity step in I-STARS, do I give up due process?

No. The Category 4 contract will include the following six steps of due process:

• Step 1: Evaluation
  A teacher must receive a fair and valid evaluation from administration.
• Step 2: Letter of Evaluation
  A teacher must receive an official letter outlining specific areas of deficiencies.
• Step 3: Improvement Plan
  The administration must develop a personalized teacher improvement plan.
• Step 4: Probationary Period
  The administration must allow teachers a minimum eight-week probationary period to give the teacher the opportunity to implement the personalized improvement plan and demonstrate improvement.
• Step 5: Re-evaluation
  A teacher must receive a fair and valid re-evaluation from administration.
• Step 6: Appeal Process
  If the teacher has not demonstrated improvement, the teacher can appeal to the local school board. During this hearing with the local school boards, parents, patrons, students and other teachers are allowed to speak on the teacher’s behalf.

Will new teachers have the option of taking the Career Opportunity step?

Yes. The Career Opportunity step is available to all teachers.

If a teacher takes the Career Opportunity step, will they still be allowed to join the teachers’ union?

Yes. Teachers who take the Career Opportunity step still have the choice to join the teachers’ union.

If I take the Career Opportunity step, will my pay still be based on the Foundation Pay system (existing pay system)?

Yes. The Foundation Pay system (or the existing pay system) is the foundation pay system for every teacher in Idaho under I-STARS, including teachers who take the Career Opportunity step.

If I take the Career Opportunity step in one district but later move to teacher in another district, can I go back to a Category 3 contract?

No. Teachers who take the Career Opportunity step cannot return to a Category 3 contract.

If I take the Career Opportunity step, can I sign a multi-year contract?

Yes. Every local school board has the discretion to sign up to a three-year contract with teachers who have four or more years of experience.