Questions And Answers About Planning
and Preparation Time

Teachers in many school districts have been calling UEA to seek information about planning and preparation periods.  The question asked most often is, "Can my planning and preparation period be used for meetings of the team, schools, grade level, and a number of other things? The answer is "NO."  Below, you will find some questions and answers regarding this important subject.

What does Texas law say about planning and preparation time?

Section 21.404 of the Texas Education Code says: "Each teacher is entitled to at least 450 minutes within each two-week period for instructional preparation, including parent-teacher conferences, evaluating students' work, and planning.  A planning and preparation period under this section may not be less than 45 minutes within the instructional day.  During a planning and preparation period, a classroom teacher may not be required to participate in any other activity."

Can a principal, team leader, or anyone else call a meeting during a teacher's planning and preparation time?

No:  Two Commissioner of Education decisions speak directly to this issue.  According to Strater v. Houston ISD, No.129-R8-685, July 1986, teachers were required to attend meetings during their planning and preparation periods.  The purpose of the meetings was to review the campus action plan, review bilingual guidelines and procedures, and assist teachers in planning and preparing for instruction.  The Commissioner held that Houston ISD violated the Education Code and explained his decision  as follows:  "The statute was enacted for the purpose of giving teachers time to engage in parent-teacher conferences, reviewing students' homework, and planning and preparation as the teacher, not the administration, deems best.  The statute clearly relieves the teacher of any duty during this period of time and prohibits the district and its administration from requiring the teacher to engage in any other activity the administration determines to be useful and important."

Can the principal call a meeting if he/she says it is to plan and prepare for TAKS or any other subject?

No.  According to Chaffin v. Los Fresnos ISD, No. 128-R10-1290, November 1991, teachers were being required to attend small group planning meetings during their planning and preparation period for the purpose of providing group