Texas House Bill HB3623

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to renewal of a public school teacher's continuing employment contract based on student growth.

Impact

The bill's impact on state laws is significant as it modifies existing provisions regarding teacher contracts and job security. By basing contract renewals on student growth metrics, the legislation introduces a performance-based accountability system that could incentivize teachers to focus on student outcomes more rigorously. This shift aims to address concerns about educational effectiveness and could potentially lead to an increased emphasis on measurable academic progress among students.

Summary

House Bill 3623 seeks to amend the Education Code in Texas regarding the renewal of public school teachers' continuing employment contracts based on student growth. Specifically, it introduces a new condition under which a teacher may not automatically continue in their position. If a majority of the students for whom a teacher is responsible fail to meet a minimum growth standard, the school district has the authority to not renew the teacher's contract. This measure ties teacher job security directly to student performance, aiming to enhance accountability within public education.

Contention

Notably, there are points of contention surrounding HB 3623. Critics argue that linking teacher contracts to student growth could create undue pressure on educators and may not fairly reflect their teaching capabilities or the varying circumstances faced by students. Furthermore, there are concerns about the adequacy of the metrics used to measure student growth, including whether they would take into account the diverse needs and backgrounds of students. Supporters, however, assert that accountability is essential to improving education quality and that this bill is a necessary step in fostering a more results-oriented educational environment.