The Republican-led state Legislature ended its session last night by passing a highly controversial package of reforms that reduce job security for teachers. The Detroit Free Press reports that the bills will: • Extend from four years to five the time it takes a new teacher to earn tenure protection. • Bar districts from using seniority as a primary factor when laying off teachers
“„• Extend from four years to five the time it takes a new teacher to earn tenure protection.
“„• Bar districts from using seniority as a primary factor when laying off teachers.
“„• Require parents to be notified in writing if their child is taught by a teacher rated “ineffective.”
“„• Add seven items to the list of things unions can’t bargain for — including placement of teachers, personnel issues related to layoffs and decisions regarding discharge or discipline of an employee.
“„Starting in the 2013-14 school year, 25 percent of a teacher’s annual year-end evaluation would be graded on their students’ academic growth on assessment data; the percentage would be increased incrementally each year until the 2015-16 school year, and thereafter, when 50 percent of teacher evaluations would be based on students’ growth and test scores.