{"id":1731,"date":"2020-04-14T08:40:12","date_gmt":"2020-04-14T13:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.graduateprogram.org\/?p=1731"},"modified":"2023-06-13T15:45:17","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T20:45:17","slug":"what-to-do-when-your-teaching-contract-is-non-renewed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.graduateprogram.org\/blog\/what-to-do-when-your-teaching-contract-is-non-renewed\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do When Your Teaching Contract is Non-Renewed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Education<\/a> is a field in which most professionals enter on a provisionary basis and demonstrated success can secure a more protected job status. Although provisionary periods vary by state, there are some common threads within the process of a teacher contract and the experience.<\/p>\n

In fact, many states or divisions non-renew all provisionary teachers<\/a> on an annual basis and only rehire those the budget allows and who have proved themselves as strong educators. Many times a non-renewal letter is more of a formality and protection for the division in the event of budget shortfalls.<\/p>\n

Yet, even when a teacher<\/a> knows that they will likely be rehired in the same division, fear and a general feeling of numbness is common as the teacher contract renewal date rolls around. Regardless of the circumstance, emotions run high during non-renewal periods for provisionary teachers.<\/p>\n

If the non-renewal is likely to proceed due to budget or performance, fear and anxiety<\/a> are compounded. Teachers enter the field after at least a four-year college program, so a significant investment has been made into this life choice. Non-renewed teachers are likely to feel embarrassed and alone; however, time is better spent strategically planning, as difficult as that might be.<\/p>\n

What Does Being Non-Renewed Mean?<\/h2>\n

Although the final result may feel the same, non-renewal is different from termination in key ways. Non-renewal only happens at the end of a provisional or annual contract. Continuing contracts will not be non-renewed, as termination is the only way a district can bring a continuing contract to a non-voluntary end through breaking teaching contract mid-year.<\/p>\n

Teachers with continuing contracts have a right to a due process hearing for the contract to be terminated at any point, but provisional teachers only have the right to a due process hearing within the period of the finite contract. Non-continuing contracts can be ended with or without cause.<\/p>\n

Non-renewal at the end of a contract period may not be related to job performance. There are common reasons for non-renewal that are not associated with job performance:<\/p>\n