Impact of Educator Evaluation Legislation - Kyle Mayer, OAISD Asst. Superintendent for Instruction

What is the Michigan Council for Educator Effectiveness?

Following the passage of significant performance evaluation legislation, the Michigan Council for Educator Effectiveness was appointed by Governor Snyder to research and develop a fair, transparent, and feasible evaluation system for teachers and school administrators. The recommended system would be based on rigorous standards of professional practice and of measurement. The goals of this system would be to contribute to enhanced instruction, improve student achievement, and support ongoing professional learning.

Presentations

 

Unpacking the Final MCEE Report

Legal Perspective on Educator Evaluation - Barb Ruga

Student Growth Measures

Selecting Assessments

Selecting Growth Measures

Measuring Student Growth:  How Possible is it Really?

Evolution of Reforms

Timeline of Teacher Evaluation Changes

Introduction

With the passage of a substantial set of legislative reforms in 2010 and 2011,the Michigan Legislature enacted a requirement that Michigan schools implement enhanced performance evaluation systems.  Further, they required that schools use this system, at a minimum, to inform decisions regarding teacher effectiveness, promotion, retention, professional development and tenure. This blog is intended to be a repository of documents, presentations, interviews and videos that will help to explain both the legislative intent and impact on teachers and administrators in Michigan schools.

What is PERA?

PERA is Michigan’s version of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). PERA sets basic ground rules that require negotiation of specific labor related matters such as salaries and benefits, but it also excludes certain things from the negotiation process. Disputes that arise based on PERA provisions are governed by the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC). MERC decisions may be appealed in court; generally MERC decisions are based on National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) precedents.

What is the Teacher’s Tenure Act?

The Teachers’ Tenure Act was originally established to provide for continuing tenure for certificated teachers in Michigan.

A new teacher in a Michigan school district must now serve a probationary period of two, four or five years, depending on their status at the time the legislative reforms were passed. After satisfactory service in an appropriate position, a certificated teacher used to automatically attain tenure. However, tenure attainment is now influenced by a teacher’s performance evaluation. 

The purpose of tenure is to provide a measure of job security for teachers, protection against arbitrary employment practices and political or personal patronage, and protection for academic freedom, fostering a classroom environment conducive to learning and open inquiry.

Tenure provides statutory protection for a teacher faced with discharge, demotion, or an unpaid suspension of more than fifteen days. This protection is both procedural and substantive. The school board must follow the procedure mandated by the Tenure Act. The teacher has a right of appeal to the Tenure Commission. The school board must then prove at a Tenure Commission hearing that it is imposing the penalty, for non-arbitrary and non-capricious reasons. The school board may suspend the teacher pending the appeal process, but the teacher cannot be discharged unless and until the Tenure Commission upholds the board's decision.

Video

MCEE Chair Addresses Governor's Summit

Interview with OAISD Instructional Head Kyle Mayer

MCEE Chair Addresses Rating Categories