BILL NUMBER: SB 257	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Liu

                        FEBRUARY 10, 2011

   An act relating to certificated employees.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 257, as introduced, Liu. Certificated employees: evaluation and
assessment.
   Existing law requires the governing board of a school district to
evaluate and assess the performance of certificated employees as it
reasonably relates to the progress of pupils towards the standards of
expected pupil achievement established by the governing board, the
instructional techniques and strategies used by the employee, the
employee's adherence to curricular objectives, and the establishment
of a suitable learning environment.
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation relating to various issues concerning the evaluation and
assessment of certificated employees.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would address the following issues relating to the
evaluation and assessment of certificated employees:
   (a) All aspects of teacher and district effectiveness to ensure
that an overhaul of the state's current system is comprehensive
enough to attract, develop, retain, and support effective teachers
and administrators.
   (b) The role of teachers, as well as teams of teachers,
administrators, and district systems that are responsible for
creating a high performing culture of learning.
   (c) A fair and transparent assessment and evaluation system that
respects the confidentiality of individual performance evaluations
and due process.
   (d) The use of successful and tested practices to set a foundation
for practical reforms that can be tailored to fit the needs of
California schools, recognizing the complexities of teaching and
school performance and the myriad issues that contribute to the
overarching goal of improving pupil achievement.
   (e) Policy changes at the state level that allow for local
flexibility while ensuring access to programs and content that meet
the needs of all pupils in the state.
   (f) The means by which various measures of accountability can be
incorporated into a support structure for the improvement of teacher
and district effectiveness, including a clear and improved method for
dismissal of administrators and teachers who do not make
improvements or meet the expectations of the process.
   (g) An evaluation and assessment system that assists teachers in
developing their skills and positively impacting student achievement,
including a reasonable approach to including pupil performance data,
as well as pupil and parent feedback and peer input.
   (h) An evaluation and assessment system that allows for teacher
development activities that provide support structures and allow
teachers to grow throughout their careers.
   (i) The role of administrators in effective teacher evaluation and
assessment, including, but not limited to, training in evaluation
methods and processes.