Relates to the use of student achievement in the annual performance reviews of teachers and building principals

1 Co-sponsor

• Leroy Comrie

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the use of student achievement in the annual performance reviews of teachers and building principals

Purpose

To ensure broader independence and flexibility amongst school districts to use student achievement measures as part of the optional state designed supplemental assessment subcomponent of the student performance category.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends subdivisions 2 and 4 of § 3012-d of the education law and amends the corresponding section 2 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, school districts are faced with draconian administrative choices. Schools should not be pigeonholed into applying evaluation regimes that do not make sense for their districts.

One of the ways that such legislation falls short is that it fails to consider not only our very highest achievers, but also our most needy. Growth scores alone neither capture the elevated status of students who come in above grade level, nor acknowledge students with significant social, emotional, and cognitive needs.

With this in mind, empowering school districts to use locally selected methods of student achievement will help ensure that students, teachers, and principals are not punished by the deficiently crafted legislation and, instead, given opportunities to demonstrate their true progress.

Legislative history

2016: Referred to Education 2015: Referred to Education

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.