Instructional Quality Hours

Frequently Asked Questions

For the 2012-13 school year, NSEA members are allocated eighteen (18) optional hours for designated instructional quality (IQ) work outside the regular work day or work year focused on District instructional goals and joint NSEA/District initiatives.  These hours are meant to be used in collaborative group work that moves the district instructional initiatives forward.

Questions
1)  How do I report my IQ hours?
2)  Are IQ hours pro-rated for partial FTE?
3)  I am a part time teacher. Can I use IQ hours when district training is offered during the day at times I do not work?
4)  Can I attend any of the trainings listed on the IQ Website without my principal’s approval?
5)  Can I use a Technology Integration Workshop for IQ hours if I’ve used up all my Technology Integration hours?
6)  If I am released during the contract day for a training, can I count this time for IQ hours?
7)  Can I choose to get paid or use IQ hours for a workshop or training?
8)  If the training or workshop is required to implement a new adoption, can I use IQ hours?
9)  If my school team wants to meet after school to analyze our grade level or content level classroom based assessments to determine what our next steps would be with students now that we have this information, can we use IQ hours for this work?
10)  If I take a workshop or class in July 2012, can I count those hours for this year’s IQ hours or next year’s?
11)  If I attend a state-wide conference related to my job on a Saturday, can I use IQ hours?
12)  Can I read Fisher and Frey’s book on my own and count those for IQ hours?
13)  I am enrolled in the Pro-Teach Support classes. Can I use IQ hours for attending these classes?
14)  I am working on my National Board Certification and am enrolled in the UW Mentorship Support Program. Can I use IQ hours for attending these classes?
15)  Can I use IQ hours for Elementary Literacy Grade Band Meetings?
16)  Can I use IQ hours to attend IEP meetings or Evaluation meetings?
17)  Can I count the First Aid in-service/training that I took to keep my coaching or health certification up to date?
18)  Can I use the hours that it took me to complete the online Science Safety Training for IQ hours?
 
Answers
1)  Q How do I report my IQ hours?
A

Use the IQ Hours Worksheet and submit it to your building administrator for approval (follow the instructions on the form).
2)  Q Are IQ hours pro-rated for partial FTE?
A

Yes. Hours are for contracted hours only; not for travel time. See table below.

SchoolCenter Picture
3)  Q I am a part time teacher. Can I use IQ hours when district training is offered during the day at times I do not work?
A
Yes, you may use IQ hours during the work day to attend district instructional training as long as it is during time you would otherwise not work.
4)  Q Can I attend any of the trainings listed on the IQ Website without my principal’s approval?
A
No. You need your principal’s approval.
5)  Q Can I use a Technology Integration Workshop for IQ hours if I’ve used up all my Technology Integration hours?
A
Yes if the Technology Integration Workshop increases your knowledge and understanding of instruction of a content area.
6)  Q If I am released during the contract day for a training, can I count this time for IQ hours?
A
No. IQ hours happen after the contracted day.
7)  Q Can I choose to get paid or use IQ hours for a workshop or training?
A
No. A workshop or training needs to be offered as either a time to use IQ hours or a time that will be offered for pay.
8)  Q If the training or workshop is required to implement a new adoption, can I use IQ hours?
A
No. This training or workshop would be paid at the C-7 rate of pay.
9)  Q If my school team wants to meet after school to analyze our grade level or content level classroom based assessments to determine what our next steps would be with students now that we have this information, can we use IQ hours for this work?
A
Yes.
10)  Q If I take a workshop or class in July 2012, can I count those hours for this year’s IQ hours or next year’s?
A
Neither… IQ hours need to be earned/completed by June 30, 2012. August 1, 2012 is the beginning date for tracking next year’s IQ hours.
11)  Q If I attend a state-wide conference related to my job on a Saturday, can I use IQ hours?
A
Yes. The hours claimed must be for the specific sessions you attend that focus on the District instructional goals and initiatives. Prior principal approval is needed.
12)  Q Can I read Fisher and Frey’s book on my own and count those for IQ hours?
A
No.
13)  Q I am enrolled in the Pro-Teach Support classes. Can I use IQ hours for attending these classes?
A
Yes.
14)  Q I am working on my National Board Certification and am enrolled in the UW Mentorship Support Program. Can I use IQ hours for attending these classes?
A
Yes.
15)  Q Can I use IQ hours for Elementary Literacy Grade Band Meetings?
A
Yes.
16)  Q Can I use IQ hours to attend IEP meetings or Evaluation meetings?
A
No.
17)  Q Can I count the First Aid in-service/training that I took to keep my coaching or health certification up to date?
A
No.
18)  Q Can I use the hours that it took me to complete the online Science Safety Training for IQ hours?
A
No.