PAR is the acronym for Peer Assistance and Review. PAR was signed into legislation in 2000 as part of the School Accountability Act, and developed locally through collaboration between the San Bernardino Teachers Association (SBTA) and the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD). The PAR program offers a unique approach to supporting teachers, providing expert teachers to assist their peers in developing subject matter knowledge, creating classroom management systems, and acquiring effective teaching practices.

Consulting Teachers

PAR Consulting Teachers (CTs) are credentialed classroom teachers who have demonstrated exemplary teaching ability and possess a minimum of five years teaching experience. PAR Consulting Teachers also demonstrate effective communication skills, subject matter knowledge, and mastery of a range of teaching strategies, including a thorough understanding of the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTPs). The PAR Joint Panel selects PAR Consulting Teachers. 

Participating Teachers

There are different ways teachers may participate in the PAR program:

• Mandatory Participation: Permanent teachers receiving an overall "Unsatisfactory" performance rating on their end-of-year evaluation shall participate in the PAR program for the duration of the following school year.

• Voluntary Participation:  Permanent teachers and probationary teachers with a clear credential may voluntarily participate if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Unit Members receiving an overall “Partially Meets” performance rating based on areas of the CSTP have the option to self refer.

  • Unit Members seeking assistance in improving their teaching skills or who are working toward goals on an Assistance Plan also have the option to self-refer.

  •  Unit members who possess clear credentials and are new hires to the district (P1, P2)