10.2190/NCA4-90AR-DPVC-RFC6 NCA490ARDPVCRFC6 0 FACTFINDING IN NEW YORK STATE TEACHER CONTRACT DISPUTES, 1982-1984 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=NCA490ARDPVCRFC6 4 JAMES R. BLISS This study explored the contribution of factfinding to the development of a collective bargaining agreement in New York State teacher contract disputes, 1982-1984. The study focused in 229 bargaining issues in twenty-one impasses. The Public Employment Relations Board provided access to factfinding reports and contractual agreements. In addition, twenty-six interviews were conducted with local superintendents, teachers' association presidents, professional advocates, and factfinders. The study concludes that factfinding is much less deliberative than it could be. Many issues have educational implications that factfinders tend to ignore. Even though factfinding currently has only one uniform basis of decision making, namely "acceptability," factfinding should not be dismissed as a vehicle for analyzing disputed issues.