ConnCAN, the education reform group that often bumps heads with teachers’ unions, has created a data base of teachers’ contracts that it says will provide unprecedented ability for administrators, parents and others to see how local contracts stack up.

“We know that many, many teachers work much longer days than what is required in their contract,” said Patrick Riccard, the group’s CEO. “However, when disputes arise or reforms are sought, the contract is a document that guides decisions and work rules and we believe that we must, therefore, look closely at what these contracts stipulate.”

The data base is interactive, allowing comparisions to other districts and a statewide average. Metrics include salaries, class sizes, length of school year and day, and preparation time.

Playing with it finds some surprises. Compare Avon, East Hartford, Simsbury and West Hartford, and you’ll find that wealthy Simsbury has the lowest starting pay, but it offers a huge incentive for a master’s degree.

Here is a portion of what its comparison of Hartford and the state averages look like: