Revises schedule for summative evaluations of certain education professionals; limits collection of teacher generated student growth data.
Impact
The legislative change is designed to reduce evaluation frequency for high-performing educators and to give them more time to focus on teaching rather than assessments. Additionally, it aims to provide a structured process for addressing performance issues, where superintendents are required to file charges of inefficiency against those who continue to perform poorly across consecutive evaluations. This approach seeks to support educational professionals by focusing on developmental feedback rather than excessive administrative burdens.
Summary
Bill S4234 aims to revise the schedule for summative evaluations of tenured teachers, principals, assistant principals, and vice-principals, changing the frequency and conditions under which evaluations are conducted. Currently, these educational professionals are required to undergo summative evaluations annually. The bill proposes a new structure wherein a summative evaluation would only occur after two years of tenure, and subsequent evaluations would be scheduled based on previous performance ratings. If rated 'highly effective', a teacher would not require another evaluation for three years. Conversely, those rated 'partially effective' or 'ineffective' would face annual evaluations until improvement is shown.
Contention
While supporters argue that this bill will allow teachers to concentrate more on delivering quality education rather than worrying about annual evaluations, critics might be concerned that it could potentially lower accountability standards for poorly performing educators. The shift to longer evaluation intervals raises questions about how effectively schools can ensure educational quality when performance metrics are delayed, which, according to opponents, could hinder timely interventions for struggling teachers.
Provides automatic effective rating for certain school district employees for whom annual summative evaluation is not conducted in any school year in order to protect tenure achievement timeline.