Seattle Teachers' contract includes student recess

Yesterday, the Seattle Teachers' Union voted to ratify a contract, thus ending the strike that began two weeks ago. Besides raises, what's included in the contract? Student recess. And not just that:

 Highlights include: 

•  Recess: Guaranteed 30 minutes of recess for all elementary students.

• Reasonable testing: New policies to reduce the over-testing of our students.

• Professional pay: Base salary increases of 3 percent, 2 percent and 4.5 percent, plus the state COLA of 4.8 percent

• Fair teacher and staff evaluations: Test scores will no longer be tied to teacher evaluations, plus there is new contract language that supports teachers' professional growth.

• Educator workload relief: Additional staff to reduce workloads and provide student services.

• Student equity around discipline and the opportunity gap: Creating race and equity teams at 30 of the district's schools.

• The administration's proposal to lengthen the school day: Teachers will be compensated for additional work.