Bill
Bill > A1575
NJ A1575
NJ A1575"School Children First Act"; establishes factors for determining compensation; requires principal consent for teacher placement; eliminates certain seniority rights.
summary
Introduced
01/27/2016
01/27/2016
In Committee
01/27/2016
01/27/2016
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2018
01/08/2018
Introduced Session
2016-2017 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The bill requires school districts to adopt a salary schedule or compensation policy for all teachers, principals, assistant principals, and vice-principals that is consistent with regulations promulgated in accordance with the provisions of the bill. The regulations will establish the individual's annual evaluation, assignment to a failing school, and teaching in a difficult to staff subject area as the primary factors that determine an individual's compensation, and years of experience cannot be a primary determinant of an individual's compensation. A district would only be allowed to provide additional compensation for education attainment if the commissioner has determined that the additional education will have a positive effect on student achievement and the teaching staff member is teaching or practicing in the subject area in which the additional academic credit or degree was attained. The bill stipulates that a teacher will not be assigned to the instructional staff of a school without the consent of the principal of the school. If a principal does not consent to the assignment of a teacher who is under tenure, the teacher may continue to receive compensation as the teacher and district seek to identify a principal who will consent to the placement. If such as placement is not found after 12 months, the teacher may be placed on permanent unpaid leave. The bill also requires that, in the case of a teacher, principal, assistant principal, or vice-principal, any dismissals resulting from a reduction in force must be made on the basis of effectiveness as determined by the evaluation system established under P.L.2012, c.26, rather than based on seniority. Last, the bill requires school districts to report the number of teachers in each school who received a rating of ineffective, partially effective, effective, and highly effective on the annual summative evaluation. The Commissioner of Education will provide a similar report for teachers, principals, assistant principals, and vice-principals in each school district.
AI Summary
This bill, called the "School Children First Act", establishes several key provisions:
1. It requires school districts to adopt a salary schedule or compensation policy for teachers, principals, assistant principals, and vice-principals that is primarily based on their demonstrated effectiveness in advancing student learning, assignment to failing schools, and teaching in difficult-to-staff subject areas - not years of experience. Additional compensation for academic degrees or credits is only allowed if the Commissioner determines it will have a positive effect on student achievement.
2. It states that a teacher cannot be assigned to a school without the consent of the principal. If a principal does not consent to a tenured teacher's assignment, the teacher may continue to receive compensation while the district seeks an alternative placement, but can be placed on permanent unpaid leave if no placement is found within 12 months.
3. It changes how dismissals are handled during reductions in force - for teachers, principals, assistant principals, and vice-principals, dismissals must be based on effectiveness rather than seniority.
The bill also makes various amendments to existing laws related to tenure, seniority, and employment rights when school districts are divided, consolidated, or dissolved. Overall, the bill aims to shift the focus of teacher and administrator compensation and employment decisions towards demonstrated effectiveness in improving student outcomes.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 01/27/2016)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| BillText | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2016/Bills/A2000/1575_I1.HTM |
| Bill | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2016/Bills/A2000/1575_I1.PDF |
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