Peer Assistance & Review (PAR)

The basic premise behind PAR programs is that teachers help teachers. In peer programs, experienced, accomplished veteran teachers provide sustained, intensive assistance to teachers who need it.  The first PAR program was bargained by the Toledo Federation of Teachers and established in 1981. 

Several TURN locals were pioneers in the area of Peer Assistance and Review more than a decade ago. Now, with the punitive climate inspired by No Child Left Behind and accelerating under Race to the Top, the earlier proactive and courageous work in the area of teacher quality provides a foundation for current teacher quality efforts.  And, a new generation of local leaders is joining the cause.

PAR programs provide true help to struggling teachers and reduce the number of teaches who must be formally terminated. Thus, PAR programs have a positive effect on teacher retention. On average 50 percent of new teachers drop out of the profession within five years, but in some PAR programs, about 80 percent of all new teachers are still teaching within their first five years.

A real testiment to their success... in the 30 years that PAR programs have been in place, not a single program has been dismantled or diminished.  Today, PAR programs are either in place or in the planning stage in nearly 40 locals in 13 states.

TURN locals with PAR programs established by contract:

  • Albuquerque Federation of Teachers
  • Cincinnati Federation of Teachers
  • Columbus Education Association
  • Minneapolis Federation of Teachers
  • Montgomery County Education Association
  • Poway Federation of Teachers
  • Toledo Federation of Teachers
  • Rochester Teachers Association
  • Seattle Education Association
  • Syracuse Teachers Association    
  • San Juan Teachers Association 
  • St. Paul Federation of Teachers
  • United Federation of Teachers (NYC)  

TURN Locals with PAR in the planning stage:

  • Cambridge Teachers Association
  • Denver Classroom Teachers Association
  • United Teachers of Dade
  • United Teachers of Los Angeles