Extending the Work of Cowen and Fowles: A Historical Analysis of Kentucky Teacher Contracts

We extend the work of Cowen and Fowles by examining contracts in Kentucky school districts with collective bargaining. Using document analysis, we sought to answer the following research question: Do key provisions of teacher contracts change over time? We also examine the most recently negotiated contract in Louisville schools (2013-2018). We find that it is far more likely for the provisions to remain substantively unchanged across Kentucky school districts, with some districts more active in negotiating substantive change than others. We find that teacher seniority rights generally diminished in teacher assignment and transfer provisions, except in reduction in force decisions.