Tenure reform legislation was released 7-0-3 today by the Assembly education panel. The reform was introduced by Assembly Education Chairman Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. “This is meaningful tenure reform that does what’s best for our children while balancing the protection of due process for our principals and teachers” said Diegnan (D-Middlesex). “This is real change that will ensure new teachers are properly trained and evaluated and that tenure charges are handled in a timely and professional manner. We will no longer endure endless tenure squabbles that consume taxpayer dollars meant for education. Instead, this legislation gives school districts cost and time certainty when it comes to removing ineffective teaching staff members. Our focus will be where it should be – making sure we have the best teachers in the classroom.”

Under current state law, teachers, principals, school business administrators and other school staffers become tenured after completing three years employment in a school district.

Under the reform bill:

• ·        Tenure would be provided after four years employment in a school district;
• ·        A new teacher would spend their first year in a mentorship program during which the new teacher will be partnered with a highly effective teacher for assistance, support and guidance;
• ·        Each school district would have to annually submit to the education commissioner the evaluation plan it will use to test the effectiveness of teachers and administrators;
• ·        Any teacher or administrator who receives an ineffective rating on two consecutive annual evaluations may face tenure charges;
• ·        Any teacher or administrator who receives an ineffective rating on three consecutive annual evaluations must face tenure charges;
• ·        Binding arbitration would be required for any contested tenure cases, with the arbitrator’s decision becoming binding and not subject to appeal;
• ·        The Public Employees Relations Commission would choose the arbitrator from a permanent list of 20, eight of which will be designated by the New Jersey Education Association, eight by the New Jersey School Boards Association and four by the New Jersey Principal and Supervisors Association through mutual agreement.
• ·        Contested cases would no longer be referred to Administrative Law Judges, and the final determination would no longer be made by the education commissioner;
• ·        The hearing before the arbitrator must be held within 60 days of the case being assigned, and the arbitrator would have 30 days to render a decision.

“This is a significant step toward creating a sustained process to expeditiously remove ineffective teachers from our schools,” Diegnan said. “In those cases where questions arise about a teacher’s effectiveness, school boards will be able to get a timely review and safeguard the quality of education that exists in our schools.”

Diegnan added, “Today is progress and a step in the right direction, but I look forward to continued cooperation with the Senate and all the stakeholders involved to arrive at an agreement everyone can support.” TLS.