March 20, 2002

It is in the interest of both the District and Denver Classroom Teachers Association that the terms of the Agreement be understood and enforced. The Agreement between the District and DCTA is typically referred to as the "teachers" contract. In some quarters, this reference implies that the Agreement is solely for the benefit of the teachers and minimizes the benefits that result to the District through the Agreement.

Enforcement of and compliance with the Agreement is essential. However, both parties have a greater interest in developing a joint ownership and commitment in terms of both the letter and spirit of the Agreement. The Agreement will become essential to furthering the desired partnership between the District and DCTA.

Following is a systemic framework for improving the enforcement of the Agreement while laying a foundation for joint ownership and a greater commitment to living under the terms of the Agreement.

I. Interest-Based Bargaining- Our use of Interest-Based Bargaining will contribute to the joint ownership, enforcement and commitment of the resulting Agreement. We should be aware of our efforts and the environment that it is creating for a strong partnership relationship. We recommend utilizing an Interest-Based approach for problem solving and decision making in all areas of the District.

II. The Agreement- the Agreement should reflect the core beliefs and values of the District and the Association. It should utilize clear and unambiguous language to describe the procedures all teachers and administrators should follow. In doing so, we will improve our success in increased learning for all students and closing the achievement gap.

III. Training- We recognize the need for regular training jointly with administrators and teachers on our new Agreement. The training should focus not just on the rules, but also emphasize problem solving skills and relationship building.

IV. Organizational Structure- Organizations in the District should have an explicit role in supporting and promoting the enforcement and commitment of the Agreement. Groups such as the Agreement Review Committee, Educational Initiatives Panel, the Board of Education, and the DCTA governance bodies should understand the importance of their roles, encouraging everyone in the District to respect the terms of the Agreement and use it as a tool to jointly resolve legitimate differences.

V. Communications- A formal communications strategy will be developed to share and explain information about our new Agreement.