Philadelphia Federation of Teachers School District of Philadelphia

XVIII. Working Conditions of Teachers
giving serious consideration to the removal of such pupils from the class, not for
the purpose of punishing the pupils involved but rather to find the causes of
such behavior and to attain remedies therefor.
12. Mentally, emotionally and educationally handicapped children shall at
the earliest possible opportunity be placed in classes and involved in instructional
programs that are best prepared to meet their needs. This shall be done
following careful study made promptly upon indication of need therefor of the
characteristics, development and unique problems of the child requiring special
attention. The combined judgment of the Principal and teacher or teachers
involved shall be added to the diagnosis and prescriptive information provided
by the school psychologist in order to help in determining the best possible
placement for the child.
13. The School District and the Federation agree that the extension of psychological
testing, counseling, and attendance services to kindergartens is desirable.
The School District will make every effort to plan a program for providing
these services.
14. Where possible, children shall be placed in an appropriate setting within
thirty (30) days of the receipt of a psychological evaluation.
15. When, in the opinion of a teacher, the assignment of a child to a special
class warrants a re-evaluation, the request of the teacher for such a reevaluation
shall receive expedited attention. When the re-evaluation is made,
the teacher shall be involved.
16. If a child exhibits anti-social behavior, such essential information shall be
recorded in the pupil pocket and maintained for a period of eighteen (18)
months if the pupil has not exhibited similar and/or related behavior. Such
information should be considered relevant to decisions by teachers and administrators
regarding the appropriateness of additional supports or alternative
placement.
17. To the extent practical, each school shall establish an in-house “accommodation”
room for disruptive students who are removed temporarily from
their classrooms.
18. Pupils shall not be assigned to the school library or instructional materials
center as a disciplinary measure.
19. Health information for shared-time students shall be forwarded to the
receiving school by the home school.
20. The School District will give every consideration to the achievement of
the Parties’ goal to have art and music instruction available in all grades.
F. Support Services, Supplies, Facilities and Other conditions
1. Each teacher shall be provided with a sufficient number of appropriate
instructional materials, including textbooks.
2. Regular requirements of materials, books and supplies shall, subject to the
approval of the Principal, be requisitioned by a teacher after consultation
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