SB 904 - This act modifies provisions relating to teachers.TEACHER TENURE AND REDUCTION IN FORCE
This act limits teacher tenure to teachers first hired by a district before August 28, 2018. Teachers hired on or after August 28, 2018, shall not receive tenure. Additionally, any teacher first employed by a school district on or after August 28, 2018, shall not be eligible to participate in the Teacher Choice Compensation Package.
The act repeals the criteria that a school board uses when placing teachers on leave of absence because of a decrease in student enrollment, district reorganization, or financial condition.
ABOLITION OF COURSES OR SUBJECTS IN THE ST. LOUIS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
This act repeals a provision governing the St. Louis City School District that requires when particular subjects or courses of instruction are eliminated, the teachers of those subjects or courses not be placed on leave of absence if they are qualified to teach other subjects or courses and a position is available.
TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR EVALUATIONS
Current law requires each school board to cause a comprehensive, performance-based evaluation for each teacher and administrator. This act specifies that the evaluation be done annually for each teacher and administrator. For teachers, the evaluation system developed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall be used, or a district evaluation that utilizes the standards and indicators in the Department's system. In addition, this act requires the school board of the St. Louis City School District to perform such an evaluation for St. Louis teachers.
SALARY SCHEDULES
Each school district shall develop and adopt a performance salary schedule for all instructional personnel by July 1, 2019. The performance salary schedule shall review and may provide annual salary adjustments based upon performance determined by the annual evaluation system used by the district. Teachers shall be evaluated using multiple, fair, rigorous, transparent, and valid measures. A district may use the model evaluation form developed by the Department or a district evaluation form that utilizes the standards and indicators in the Department's system. Multiple measures of student achievement shall count for a minimum of 30% of the overall evaluation. The performance salary schedule shall not use advanced degrees as a basis for setting a salary schedule unless the advanced degree is in the area of certification or expertise.
The Department may provide technical assistance to school boards in developing and implementing a local evaluation system. The Department shall develop a resource bank that includes resources that are appropriate to districts of different sizes, demographics, and locations.
A district may develop additional salary schedules differentiated on assignment to a Title I school, teaching in a subject area for which there is a teacher shortage, or to reflect the supply and demand of the teacher labor market.
This act is substantially similar to HB 1925 (2018) and similar to SB 27 (2015) and SB 29 (2015).
JAMIE ANDREWS