The Difference between assignable and instructional time

WORTH KNOWING
What’s the Difference Between Assignable and Instructional Time?
 
Assignable Time

• Supervision of students (transition times between classes).
• When teacher is on call and expected to be in a position to intervene in student behaviour.
• Assigned time before and after the school day to manage cohort and social distancing.
• Preparation time is considered assigned time if the teacher is assigned to duties in their preparation time. If preparation time is not assigned, teachers may leave the school. 
• If assigned, cleaning and sanitizing are considered assignable time.
• Staff and other meetings/Teacher’s Convention/PD days/student registration days.

 
Instructional Time

• Universally includes time scheduled for the purposes of instruction and other activities for children where direct child–teacher interaction and supervision are maintained. 
• Teachers can calculate their own assignable and instruction hours by using the two calculators here.  
• Tracking instructional time is important, especially if teachers are required to cover teaching assignments of absent colleagues. Instructional time caps are enshrined in collective agreements and are enforceable. 

A ½-hour duty-free break every day is not assignable (cannot be at the beginning or the end of the day).
 
Which teachers have assignable time limits?
Any teacher whose primary function is to provide instruction to students is subject to the applicable teacher instructional and assignable time limits. This includes lead teachers and teachers who are in receipt of an allowance but who do not have administrative designations. Part-time teachers are prorated on the average instructional time of a teacher at that school. Refer to your collective agreement for times, or call Teacher Employment Services at 1‑800‑232‑7208. 
 
Which teachers are not subject to assignable time limits? 
These are teachers with administrative designations whose primary function is not instruction, including those teachers who have principal in their titles (that is, principals, vice-principals, assistant principals). Central office staff (for example, psychologist, director of special education, interschool coordinator) may not be subject to the time limits, provided that their primary function is not instruction of students.
 
Which teachers are subject to the instructional time limits?
• Any teacher whose primary function is to provide instruction to students is subject to the applicable teacher instructional and assignable time limits.
• This includes lead teachers and teachers in receipt of an allowance but who do not have administrative designations. 
• This also includes teachers who are supervising the instruction provided by another certificated teacher or nonteacher (for example, preservice teacher or instructor of students in the Registered Apprentice Program).
 
WORTH SHARING
Tracking instructional time is important, especially if teachers are required to cover teaching assignments of absent colleagues. Teachers should calculate their own assignable and instruction hours by using the two calculators here. #WEAREATA