Signed by Governor Rick Snyder

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends probationary and tenure procedures for public school teachers.

Highlights:

• Increases the probationary period from 4 years to 5 years (Art. II, Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the dismissal of a teacher during his or her probationary period any time (Art. II, Sec. 2).

• Establishes the following criteria for determining whether or not a teacher shall be given tenure (Art. II, Sec. 3):
• The teacher has been rated "effective" or "highly effective" on his or her 3 most recent performance evaluations and has completed at least 5 full school years of employment in a probationary period; or
• The teacher has been rated as "highly effective" on 3 consecutive performance evaluations and has completed at least 4 full school years of employment in a probationary period.

• Requires classroom observations, the format and number of which shall be determined by the controlling board in consultation with teachers and school administrators (Art. II, Sec. 3).

• Requires the school district to provide tenured teachers who receive a rating of "ineffective" or "minimally effective" on a performance evaluation with an individualized development plan, and requires such teachers to make progress towards individual development goals within a specified time period of no more than 180 days (Art. III, Sec. 3).

• Prohibits the displacement of a probationary teacher who has been rated as "effective" or "highly effective" on his or her most recent performance evaluation by a teacher who has continuing tenure solely because that teacher has tenure (Art. II, Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that amends probationary and tenure procedures for public school teachers.

Highlights:

• Increases the probationary period from 4 years to 5 years (Art. II, Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the dismissal of a teacher during his or her probationary period any time (Art. II, Sec. 2).

• Establishes the following criteria for determining whether or not a teacher shall be given tenure (Art. II, Sec. 3):
• The teacher has been rated "effective" or "highly effective" on his or her 3 most recent performance evaluations and has completed at least 5 full school years of employment in a probationary period; or
• The teacher has been rated as "highly effective" on 3 consecutive performance evaluations and has completed at least 4 full school years of employment in a probationary period.

• Requires classroom observations, the format and number of which shall be determined by the controlling board in consultation with teachers and school administrators (Art. II, Sec. 3).

• Requires the school district to provide tenured teachers who receive a rating of "ineffective" or "minimally effective" on a performance evaluation with an individualized development plan, and requires such teachers to make progress towards individual development goals within a specified time period of no more than 180 days (Art. III, Sec. 3).

• Prohibits the displacement of a probationary teacher who has been rated as "effective" or "highly effective" on his or her most recent performance evaluation by a teacher who has continuing tenure solely because that teacher has tenure (Art. II, Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text