SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2769

                    As of February 15, 1996

Title:  An act relating to certificated school employee evaluations.

Brief Description:  Changing a standard for certificated school employee evaluations.

Sponsors:  Representatives Pelesky, Poulsen and Brumsickle.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/16/96.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

Background:  The Superintendent of Public Instruction establishes minimum criteria for the evaluation of certificated teachers and other certificated staff.  For certificated staff, the following categories must be evaluated:  instructional skill, classroom management, professional preparation and scholarship, effort toward improvement when needed, handling discipline and attendance problems, and interest in teaching and knowledge of the subject matter.  The board of directors of each school district establishes evaluation criteria and procedures which include these minimum criteria.  The principal or his or her designee evaluates all teachers and support personnel in the school.

Every employee whose work is judged unsatisfactory based on these criteria is notified in writing, and a probation period may be established during which the employee is given an opportunity to improve.

When an employee has been judged satisfactory for four years, the district may choose to use a short form of evaluation, an evaluation emphasizing professional growth, the standard evaluation process, or a combination of these.  However, the standard evaluation must be used at least once every three years unless a collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise.

The standard evaluation must be used as a basis for finding that an employee's work is unsatisfactory.

Summary of Bill:  The standard by which certificated teachers and certificated support personnel are evaluated is changed from satisfactory to effective.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.