Teacher evaluation: Teacher Professional Growth Plan.

(1) Existing law states the intent of the Legislature that governing boards of school districts establish a uniform system of evaluation and assessment of the performance of all certificated personnel within each school district of the state. Existing law requires the governing board of each school district to establish standards of expected pupil achievement at each grade level in each area of study and to evaluate and assess certificated employee performance on a continuing basis as it reasonably relates to (A) the progress of pupils toward the established standards and, if applicable, the state adopted academic content standards as measured by state adopted criterion referenced assessments, (B) the instructional techniques and strategies used by the employee, (C) the employee's adherence to curricular objectives, and (D) the establishment and maintenance of a suitable learning environment, within the scope of the employee's responsibilities. Existing law authorizes a school district to dismiss a permanent certificated employee for unsatisfactory performance, among other reasons. This bill would establish the Teacher Professional Growth Plan for all school districts, to commence with the 2015–16 school year. The bill would authorize the governing board of a school district and the exclusive representative of the certificated employees of the school district to meet and confer regarding the establishment of an alternative teacher evaluation system that includes value-added assessment measures, classroom observation, and teacher input. If the parties do not agree upon an alternative teacher evaluation system, the bill would require the governing board of the school district to conduct evaluations of certificated employees pursuant to specified requirements, including requiring (A) all certificated employees, including those with permanent status, to be evaluated annually, (B) 50% of an evaluation to be based on the academic growth experienced by pupils taught by the certificated employee being evaluated and 50% based on classroom observations conducted by peers and the principal of the school, and (C) certificated employees to be evaluated as exemplary, effective, developing, or needing improvement. The bill would require that evaluation system also to provide that a certificated employee with permanent status who is evaluated after one year as needing improvement lose permanent status and be placed on probation. The bill would require the governing board of the school district to provide that employee with professional training and development. The bill would require renewal of permanent status if the employee is no longer evaluated as needing improvement the following year, otherwise, the employee would remain on probation for a 2nd year. If the employee continues to need improvement at the end of the 2nd year on probation, the bill would require the school district to dismiss the certificated employee, as provided. By placing new requirements on school districts regarding teacher evaluation, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.