Extends the due date, from June 30, 2015 to November 17, 2015, for regulations and guidelines for a statewide annual teacher and principal evaluation system

BILL NUMBER:S5611

Title of bill

An act to amend chapter 56 of the laws of 2015, amending the education law relating to annual performance reviews of classroom teachers and building principals, in relation to the public comment period

Purpose

To change the deadline for the Commissioner of Education to craft a completely new system for teacher and building principal evaluations and to create a committee to advise the Commissioner in the creation of those new guidelines and regulations. The committee's diversity will allow for better stakeholder input and demonstrates a commitment towards transparency.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends section 1 of subpart E of part EE of chapter 56 of the laws of 2015.

Section 2 provides the effective date.

Justification

Due to the new teacher evaluation law passed in the 2015-16 enacted budget, the Commissioner of Education is tasked with crafting the fourth teacher and principal evaluation regime in five years. Educators, interest groups and advocates alike agree that creating a new evaluation system in three months ensures that we will be revisiting this issue.'We must allocate sufficient time to allow the Commissioner to properly, responsibly, and transparently create such guidelines and regulations.

Not only does this bill provide a reasonable timeline to create a rigorous evaluation system, it helps advise the Commissioner in this endeavor. The creation of a diverse committee of stakeholders and experts allows for many voices to be heard in an efficient manner.

Giving voice to those who have been left out of the legislation passed in the 2015-16 budget is a priority. Expanding the Commissioner's drafting period and empanelling a committee of experts goes a long way towards this ideal.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.