NEW TQS EVALUATION OR STARTING WITH A NEW SCHOOL DIVISION?

If you have been hired by a new school division or you have a revised Teaching Qualification Service (TQS) evaluation from additional education you have taken, it is your responsibility to submit proof of your experience and education in accordance with the timelines set out in your collective agreement. Check your pay statement each month to ensure you have been placed appropriately on the grid and that your salary is correct.

 New TQS Evaluation or Starting with a New School Division
A teacher’s annual salary (as set out in the 2020-24 collective agreement or 2024-28 legislatively imposed settlement) is based on years of education (as determined by the Teacher Qualifications Service) and years of experience (as determined by the teacher’s collective agreement).

Teachers hired for a teaching position with a new school division, or those with a revised TQS evaluation due to new education, are responsible for submitting proof of their experience and education in accordance with the timelines set out in clauses 3.3 and 3.4 of the Central Table Terms of their collective agreement.

Teachers should also review their pay statements every month, particularly if they have delayed submitting their documentation to their employer. If a teacher finds that their pay statement shows they have not been paid correctly, it is their responsibility to contact their employer to resolve the discrepancy. If the teacher is unable to correct the error with the employer promptly, the teacher must contact Teacher Employment Membership Support (TEMS) so that the Alberta Teachers’ Association can provide support in resolving the issue. Delays in reporting a pay error could result in a loss of income, so it is critical that teachers closely scrutinize their pay statements.

For newly employed teachers in the school division, until the school division receives satisfactory proof of teacher education, proof of an application to the Teacher Qualifications Service (TQS), and proof of experience, the teacher will be placed on the salary grid at four years of education and zero years of experience.

Adjustment dates for increased teacher education, for applications or proofs received within 60 operational days, shall be retroactive to the month following submission. Applications or proofs not submitted within 60 operational days will be adjusted to either September 1 or February 1, whichever is closest after submission.

Adjustment dates for increased experience (earned increment) shall be September 1 and February 1. 

Proof of Education
Clause 3.3 of the collective agreement requires that the evaluation of teacher education for salary grid purposes be based on a statement of qualifications issued by the Alberta Teacher Qualifications Service. If proof of teacher education or an application is received within 60 operational days, payment shall be made retroactive to the month following submission; however, if this documentation is not submitted within 60 operational days, salary will be adjusted either September 1 or February 1, whichever is closest after submission.

Teachers who remain with their employer are not automatically reassessed for grid placement, even if they have completed further education. A new application for re-evaluation through the Teacher Qualifications Service would be required. The Association has taken the position that teachers included under the new special consideration for other education and experience language should be re-evaluated in accordance with the legislatively imposed settlement. Please note that the Association and some members have filed grievances regarding automatic revaluation.

Proof of Experience
Clause 3.4 requires employers to recognize experience gained while holding a valid Alberta teaching certificate or its equivalent in the relevant governing jurisdiction, and while working in a position that requires a teaching certificate as a condition of employment. A teacher on contract earns one year of experience after 140 operational days with the school division, whereas substitute teachers can earn one year of experience after working 140 operational days with the school division in the preceding five years.

​It is important to remember that no experience is accrued during vacation periods and leaves of absence without salary, and that a teacher shall be granted only one experience increment in any one school year. However, uncredited experience shall be carried over for the calculation of experience increments. Adjustment dates for additional accrued experience are September 1 and February 1, but only one increment may be granted in any one school year.

Contact TEMS at 1-800-232-7208 for advice and support.

To view previous Worth Knowing documents, please visit this link.