Assigned to ED AS
PASSED BY COW
Assigned to ED AS
PASSED BY COW
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
teachers; alternative performance evaluations
Purpose
Establishes an alternative performance evaluation cycle for highly effective teachers.
Background
Statute directs the State Board of Education (SBE) to adopt a model framework for a
teacher and principal evaluation instrument that includes quantitative data on student academic progress that accounts for between 33 and 50 percent of the evaluation outcomes (A.R.S. § 15‑203). Based on the model framework adopted by the SBE, school districts establish a system for the evaluation of the performance of certificated teachers that results in at least one evaluation each school year. The evaluations include at least two actual classroom observations, at least 60 days apart, and recommendations for the teacher's improvement (A.R.S. § 15-537). Teachers and principals are placed into one of four performance classifications based on the evaluations: 1) highly effective; 2) effective; 3) developing; and 4) ineffective. School districts and charter schools adopt definitions for each of these classifications (A.R.S. § 15-203).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows school districts to use an alternative performance evaluation cycle for teachers who have been designated in the highest performance classification for three consecutive years by the same school district under the formal evaluation system.
2. Requires, if a school district uses an alternative performance evaluation cycle, the governing board to adopt policies for an expedited performance review during the years in which a teacher is not undergoing a formal performance evaluation.
3. Allows the expedited performance review policies to classify teacher performance in categories that include teamwork and support for lower-performing teachers.
4. Removes a teacher from the alternative performance evaluation cycle if the expedited performance review determines the teacher is not in the highest performance classification and requires that the teacher be reviewed by the formal evaluation system.
5. Makes technical and conforming changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Specifies that teachers must be designated in the highest performance classification for three consecutive years to be eligible for the alternative performance evaluation cycle.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
· Specifies that teachers must be evaluated for at least three consecutive years by the same school district to be eligible for the alternative performance evaluation cycle.
Senate Action
ED 2/1/18 DPA 5-0-2
Prepared by Senate Research
February 20, 2018
BL/MM/lb