HIGHLIGHT #1
Senate Bill 736 and House Bill 7019 will require school districts to base layoffs primarily on performance of teachers.
HIGHLIGHT #2
SB 736 and HB 7019 seek to implement a fair evaluation system that is neither arbitrary nor solely driven by test scores.
· Beginning in 2014, 50% of a teacher’s evaluation will be based on three years of student progress and 50% will be based on multiple assessments of the educator’s teaching methods.
· For principal and administrator evaluations, 50% will be based on how well the whole student body progresses over three years, and the rest will address how well administrators marshal existing resources and staff to support students’ academic success.
HIGHLIGHT #3
Under SB 736 and HB 7019, teachers hired after July, 2014 and teachers who opt-in will be paid based on effectiveness. 50%-75% of the money available each year for raises will go to Florida teachers who are deemed “highly effective” or “effective.”
HIGHLIGHT #4
Senate Bill 736 and House bill HB 7019 do not eliminate tenure for existing teachers, but will remove it for new teachers hired after July, 2011
As a retired public school teacher of 43 years, I will be testifying at the House hearing on Thursday and will be speaking in support of HB 7019. :)