Washington DC.
The Obama administration issued a new rule over the weekend requiring people who seek to write about education related topics to register with the federal government and apply for a permit before publication. This, according to an emergency press release issued by the Interior Department just last night.
Angered by what he called "the biggest Logical Fallacy I've seen since the debt ceiling crisis", White House sources close to the president say he directed his Secretary of the Interior to issue the new rule after reading the 'latest missive of buffoonery' from Slate Magazine.
The article in question -which argues that teachers should not use synonyms for simple words such as 'said' when training their young students to be writers- begins with the author admitting that his own fourth grade teacher used the technique with him as a child.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
ICYMI: Pearson Was Officially Replaced This Week
Here's a small piece of news tat most folks missed. Pearson, who screwed up New York State's test for several years in a row has been formally replaced by Questar Assessment Inc.
Questar promises not to be like the "old" testing company. Questar wants to be a successful "new" testing company of New York.
You may not think that matters. But Questar is a publicly traded company (stock symbol STR) and on Monday that publicly traded company scored a big fat government contract: making tests for third through eighth grade in the state of New York).
Here's another piece of news you may have missed: Questar's Board of Directors is practically filled with people from the energy industry (you know big oil, natural gas drilling, coal mining. That sort of thing). One director is also part of the leadership of "Questar Corp.", "Questar Pipeline Company" and "Questar Gas Company".The state’s $44.9 million contract with Questar Assessment Inc. to provide math and ELA test for third through eighth graders has been approved by state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.That contract approval was tucked inside a larger list of October contract and payment approvals and rejections announced Monday by the state comptroller’s office.
Thatsalotta Questars
Welcome, Big Energy Industry Big Wigs. Welcome to the party. I'm sorry your stock is down by 60 cents since Monday's announcement. I'm sure it'll bounce back.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Your DOEnut Of the Week: 'Nothing Up My Sleeve'
Through the smoke emanating from Albany's corruption issues comes a brief glimpse of good old fashioned demagoguery.
Several months ago, the NYS Legislature, at the behest of the governor, passed a brand new 'New' teacher evaluation system. This one sneaked in a process where tests could (and probably would) count for 50% of a teacher's overall annual review score.
The proposal was fought by the teachers' unions and the final successful vote was cast by the democratic Assembly with "Heavy Hearts" but the long and the short of it was that we (teachers) got kind of screwed (again).
Less than two months later, more parents opted their children out of state tests than ever before. The governor's ratings in the polls took a nose dive and, true to the many predictions of smart people (this nut being one of them), the entire system of using test scores to rate teachers began to show signs of collapsing under its own political weight.
Implosion may be a better way to put it.
The governor, sensing the mess he has made, has recently begun the political move that we all knew would happen -the back-peddle. This week, trial balloons were sent up through the New York Times gauging precisely what that back peddle would look like.
Teachers and many school leaders would like a complete reversal of tying ratings to test scores.
Parents would like the tests to not disrupt the learning of their children (including reducing the stress felt by teachers whose scores are tied to these tests).
Politicians would like not to be hated and to be left, by in large, alone by staying clear any political mess (and this evaluation system has caused quite a mess).
But the governor would like to push this system as far as the political realities will let him. Where those realities are is what he is trying to figure out.
Because of these priorities, simply revoking the measure that will tie teacher ratings to tests scores will not happen -not unless the political realities make this an absolute requirement for politicians (who, remember, just wish to be left alone by staying clear any political mess).
Ergo, the trial balloon.
"How much" wonders the governor "must I do to bring my poll numbers out of the basement?".
"Will a moratorium work? "
Most importantly; a under a moratorium, the use of test scores could return at a later time, when it became politically possible. The door would still be left open.
Now today comes the second trial balloon: "It wouldn't be easy to have to go back to the legislature and have the thing changed all over again" asserts this trial balloon, "without having to go through the Federal Government. This is a lot harder than it looks, you know." That poor Cuomo. He really has 'no easy options' here.
A brief bit of truth for moment: While New York State currently operates under a NCLB waiver, there is a very low likelihood that violating that waiver would ever lead to any measurable consequences at all.
That waiver is a funny topic. It was submitted by NYSED Commissioner, John King and a new one would have to be approved by, well, by USDOE Secretary John King. Violation of the waiver is treated just like a violation to NCLB: Title I funds could be withheld from the whole state.
And see that's the whole thing! Federal Title I funds will never be withheld from New York State, no matter how bad the state violates a NCLB provision. The politics from that act would simply be too impossible for anyone to accept. Can you imagine the fallout if King in DC withholds Title I funds for the entire state? It would make the history books! That's why it -the threat of withholding Title I funds as a way to punish- is the ultimate modern day empty threat in education.
But the threat is there. And here, in this second trial balloon, it has been employed.
"Will they" wonders the governor "still blame me for not doing enough if I can somehow blame the Federal Government?"
I guess we'll see. Clearly, the lack of outcry from stakeholders after these two trial balloons leaves me with the impression that the state will leave in place the current (ridiculous) legislation and simply declare a moratorium.
Certainly, the next (third) trial balloon will refine this meme that 'we can declare a moratorium on tests in teacher evals but cannot revoke them because Washington won't let us'.
And "Will that" wonders the governor "be enough?".
Yeah it probably will. But it only will because this nonsense has everything to do politics and nothing to do with real, actual policy. And anyone with a heart and a passion for real teaching and learning should be upset at this reality.
And that's why I would like to confer upon Governor Andrew Cuomo, Democrat from the State of New York my DOEnut of the Week: For making the profession of roughly 600,000 public school teachers in New York, as well as the learning of 2.7 million students, ancillary to his own political arse (again) and for putting on pause any meaningful progress that could have been made in education (again).
Congrats, gov. I have seen some screw ups in my time, but you -you little Napoleon on Hudson- you take the absolute cake!
Several months ago, the NYS Legislature, at the behest of the governor, passed a brand new 'New' teacher evaluation system. This one sneaked in a process where tests could (and probably would) count for 50% of a teacher's overall annual review score.
The proposal was fought by the teachers' unions and the final successful vote was cast by the democratic Assembly with "Heavy Hearts" but the long and the short of it was that we (teachers) got kind of screwed (again).
Less than two months later, more parents opted their children out of state tests than ever before. The governor's ratings in the polls took a nose dive and, true to the many predictions of smart people (this nut being one of them), the entire system of using test scores to rate teachers began to show signs of collapsing under its own political weight.
Implosion may be a better way to put it.
The governor, sensing the mess he has made, has recently begun the political move that we all knew would happen -the back-peddle. This week, trial balloons were sent up through the New York Times gauging precisely what that back peddle would look like.
Teachers and many school leaders would like a complete reversal of tying ratings to test scores.
Parents would like the tests to not disrupt the learning of their children (including reducing the stress felt by teachers whose scores are tied to these tests).
Politicians would like not to be hated and to be left, by in large, alone by staying clear any political mess (and this evaluation system has caused quite a mess).
But the governor would like to push this system as far as the political realities will let him. Where those realities are is what he is trying to figure out.
Because of these priorities, simply revoking the measure that will tie teacher ratings to tests scores will not happen -not unless the political realities make this an absolute requirement for politicians (who, remember, just wish to be left alone by staying clear any political mess).
Ergo, the trial balloon.
"How much" wonders the governor "must I do to bring my poll numbers out of the basement?".
"Will a moratorium work? "
“A moratorium is under consideration,” said State Senator Carl L. Marcellino, a Long Island Republican, chairman of the Education Committee and a member of the task force."A Moratorium would decouple tests from teacher ratings, but the number -the ___/20- would still be there. It wouldn't count and teachers' ultimate ratings would consist of observations and other 'subjective' measures that don't include tests, but the scores would still be given, still be calculated and still be distributed to teachers, schools and districts throughout the state.
Most importantly; a under a moratorium, the use of test scores could return at a later time, when it became politically possible. The door would still be left open.
Now today comes the second trial balloon: "It wouldn't be easy to have to go back to the legislature and have the thing changed all over again" asserts this trial balloon, "without having to go through the Federal Government. This is a lot harder than it looks, you know." That poor Cuomo. He really has 'no easy options' here.
If the Regents board could make the changes, or the Legislature decided to decouple the tests from the evaluations, the state still would have to get a waiver from the federal education department — soon to be headed by former state education commissioner John King, who championed the Common Core in New York.Federal education department officials told POLITICO New York the state could submit amendments it makes, but the evaluation system must include the use of state assessment due to commitments made through the Race To The Top grant and in waivers from No Child Left Behind—the broad federal education law that is also referred to as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
A brief bit of truth for moment: While New York State currently operates under a NCLB waiver, there is a very low likelihood that violating that waiver would ever lead to any measurable consequences at all.
That waiver is a funny topic. It was submitted by NYSED Commissioner, John King and a new one would have to be approved by, well, by USDOE Secretary John King. Violation of the waiver is treated just like a violation to NCLB: Title I funds could be withheld from the whole state.
And see that's the whole thing! Federal Title I funds will never be withheld from New York State, no matter how bad the state violates a NCLB provision. The politics from that act would simply be too impossible for anyone to accept. Can you imagine the fallout if King in DC withholds Title I funds for the entire state? It would make the history books! That's why it -the threat of withholding Title I funds as a way to punish- is the ultimate modern day empty threat in education.
But the threat is there. And here, in this second trial balloon, it has been employed.
"Will they" wonders the governor "still blame me for not doing enough if I can somehow blame the Federal Government?"
I guess we'll see. Clearly, the lack of outcry from stakeholders after these two trial balloons leaves me with the impression that the state will leave in place the current (ridiculous) legislation and simply declare a moratorium.
Certainly, the next (third) trial balloon will refine this meme that 'we can declare a moratorium on tests in teacher evals but cannot revoke them because Washington won't let us'.
And "Will that" wonders the governor "be enough?".
Yeah it probably will. But it only will because this nonsense has everything to do politics and nothing to do with real, actual policy. And anyone with a heart and a passion for real teaching and learning should be upset at this reality.
And that's why I would like to confer upon Governor Andrew Cuomo, Democrat from the State of New York my DOEnut of the Week: For making the profession of roughly 600,000 public school teachers in New York, as well as the learning of 2.7 million students, ancillary to his own political arse (again) and for putting on pause any meaningful progress that could have been made in education (again).
Congrats, gov. I have seen some screw ups in my time, but you -you little Napoleon on Hudson- you take the absolute cake!
Friday, November 13, 2015
Your DOENut of the Week: The 'Nays' Have It!!!
I'm tempted to say that I'm sorry for not posting more and for not paying closer attention to Ed News as of late.
But then I go reading up on what I've been missing and I see something like this and I become immediately glad -happy, in fact- that I have diverted my attention elsewhere.
Education topics are 'nuts!!!
Take this piece, for instance. The title of it premises that our current mayor is letting accountability go by the wayside. That darn mayor and his darn failed policies. It interviews, as part of some good diligent reporting, a lady named Lori Podvesker. Related to Ms. Podvesky, it says;
Fundamentally wrong.
Man, that makes me sad. If only a policy maker existed in NY who could set this fundamentally wrong policy right again.
If only.
In only. If only. If only.
And then I reazlize! Lori Podvesker is a member of the Panel of Education (the PEP)!!
That's right!!!
She is one of the thirteen New Yorkers who sit on the panel and make (I'm trying to keep a straight face here) **policy** for New York City Schools. Specifically;
You can see a full list of PEP members here. Ms. Podvesky's Twitter profile is shown below.
She is (somewhat rightly) upset that there is little information viz accountability for D75 and D79 schools in the city. She is also a parent of a D75 child and that must be frustrating.
May I suggest Ms. Podvesky use her power as a member of the governing board of the NYCDOE and change all that? Her colleague on the PEP, Norman Fruchture (who, like her, is an education stakeholder and activist) has recently done so with over issue of school segregation. Perhaps Ms. Podvesky could follow suite? Just a thought.
In the meantime, I'd like to offer a bit of reflection: We are in some type of strange, crazy times when the persons who make policy for New York City's schools are out in the press taking issue with policy. Sometimes I feel like we are all critics, grown from the Duncan and the Bloomberg era. We have become experts on objecting to almost everything objectionable. This is the truth with Common Core and High Stakes Tests and our approach to poverty and solutions to public education. Objecting -agitating- has become become part of our life and our life force. But when it begins to look as though our criticisms have become more powerful than our higher desire to actually make things better, I think a quick gut check is in order. The "nays' can't have this one. "No" may be part of the answer but "no" is most certainly not ~the~ answer. Just another thought.
Speaking of gut!! I'd also like to Ms. Podvesky a box of donuts as she is a recipient of one of my (somewhat coveted) DOTW awards. I hope she understand sit's all in good spirit (although she'll have to share it with Patrick Wall, the reporter of the piece His piece made no mention of her role as a PEP member. No worries Mr. Wall! Everyone slips and I'm still a big fan!)
But then I go reading up on what I've been missing and I see something like this and I become immediately glad -happy, in fact- that I have diverted my attention elsewhere.
Education topics are 'nuts!!!
Take this piece, for instance. The title of it premises that our current mayor is letting accountability go by the wayside. That darn mayor and his darn failed policies. It interviews, as part of some good diligent reporting, a lady named Lori Podvesker. Related to Ms. Podvesky, it says;
“There’s no information for you to make your own assessments outside of visiting the schools in person,” said Lori Podvesker, a policy manager at INCLUDEnyc, a support agency for young people with disabilities, and whose son attends a District 75 school in Manhattan. “That’s so fundamentally wrong.”
Fundamentally wrong.
Man, that makes me sad. If only a policy maker existed in NY who could set this fundamentally wrong policy right again.
If only.
In only. If only. If only.
And then I reazlize! Lori Podvesker is a member of the Panel of Education (the PEP)!!
That's right!!!
She is one of the thirteen New Yorkers who sit on the panel and make (I'm trying to keep a straight face here) **policy** for New York City Schools. Specifically;
The thirteen member body designated as the Board of Education in section 2590-b of the Education Law shall be known as the Panel for Educational Policy. The Panel for Educational Policy is a part of the governance structure responsible for the City School District of the City of New York
You can see a full list of PEP members here. Ms. Podvesky's Twitter profile is shown below.
Twitter bios are so straight forward |
She is (somewhat rightly) upset that there is little information viz accountability for D75 and D79 schools in the city. She is also a parent of a D75 child and that must be frustrating.
May I suggest Ms. Podvesky use her power as a member of the governing board of the NYCDOE and change all that? Her colleague on the PEP, Norman Fruchture (who, like her, is an education stakeholder and activist) has recently done so with over issue of school segregation. Perhaps Ms. Podvesky could follow suite? Just a thought.
In the meantime, I'd like to offer a bit of reflection: We are in some type of strange, crazy times when the persons who make policy for New York City's schools are out in the press taking issue with policy. Sometimes I feel like we are all critics, grown from the Duncan and the Bloomberg era. We have become experts on objecting to almost everything objectionable. This is the truth with Common Core and High Stakes Tests and our approach to poverty and solutions to public education. Objecting -agitating- has become become part of our life and our life force. But when it begins to look as though our criticisms have become more powerful than our higher desire to actually make things better, I think a quick gut check is in order. The "nays' can't have this one. "No" may be part of the answer but "no" is most certainly not ~the~ answer. Just another thought.
Speaking of gut!! I'd also like to Ms. Podvesky a box of donuts as she is a recipient of one of my (somewhat coveted) DOTW awards. I hope she understand sit's all in good spirit (although she'll have to share it with Patrick Wall, the reporter of the piece His piece made no mention of her role as a PEP member. No worries Mr. Wall! Everyone slips and I'm still a big fan!)
Monday, October 26, 2015
Here's Why Trade Unionists MUST Vote For Jia Lee
Ednotes has a pretty good blog up about Jia Lee's Candidacy for UFT president on the MORE slate.
I first became aware of Jia Lee at an ICE meeting over at the diner in 2014. During that time there was a bit of a row within MORE. A few folks, myself included, were kicking around the idea of leaving MORE for greener, or is that bluer, pastures. The meeting wasn't particularly tense, I mean, there was a lot of yelling going on but most of that wasn't directed at any one person at the diner. Not anyone in the room, that is. Many folks yelled at, you know, things in general; people in particular -and the general sorry state of affairs we were all in to be specific.
Jia's presence at the meeting took me a bit off guard. I knew her to be "the High Stakes Tests" person within MORE and while I respected her toughness and pronounced intelligence, I just never expected her to be sitting at a table of grumbling trade unionists on a Friday night. Yet there she was, urging folks to remember the bigger picture -of everything that everyone in that room could accomplish with MORE.
She didn't take anyone on in any sort of direct confrontation or anything. Instead, she put forth her points at the table, then stayed for the whole meeting, making it a point to say hello to each and every person who had expressed a temperamental thought during it -repeating her points about hanging tough the whole time, while reassuring and reminding folks that MORE's greatest time lie ahead (she was right).
That impressed me. It takes a toughness to calmly repeat yourself to upset unionsts. You don't have to talk loud or go all postal in order to be tough, you know. Toughness comes during those quick, fleeting moments when others expect you to back and you don't. I've never seen Jia raise her voice. Yet I've never known her to back down either. Not once. That's Trade Unionism 101: Do.Not.Back.Down.
Fact is, Jia is all about the fight.
Writing about her Trade Unionists bona fides, Norm's post continues:
There is a bottom line here. Trade Unionists care about their working conditions, and little else beyond that scope. I identify myself as a proud trade unionist and I feel right at home helping Jia Lee take the presidency from Michael Mulgrew next Spring. I know that working conditions across the city will come to the front burner under her leadership. I know teachers will win back the respect and dignity we lost under the previous mayor (and have yet to fully gain back under this one) with her as president. I know my job will be easier with her in office and the experience of my students in my classroom (and tens of thousands of classrooms across the city) will be better because of it too.
And I know these conditions will improve while all of the things that effect my students -all of those social justice things that do impact my working conditions- will be addressed and improved as well.
I wanted to say that. I wanted to say that I'm not supporting her because she's with MORE or because she's been a Chapter Leader -or because she and her work have made life easier for my own third grade daughter (although it has). I'm behind her because she stands for the Trade Unionist agenda that I'm willing fight over. And that's all the difference.
I first became aware of Jia Lee at an ICE meeting over at the diner in 2014. During that time there was a bit of a row within MORE. A few folks, myself included, were kicking around the idea of leaving MORE for greener, or is that bluer, pastures. The meeting wasn't particularly tense, I mean, there was a lot of yelling going on but most of that wasn't directed at any one person at the diner. Not anyone in the room, that is. Many folks yelled at, you know, things in general; people in particular -and the general sorry state of affairs we were all in to be specific.
Jia's presence at the meeting took me a bit off guard. I knew her to be "the High Stakes Tests" person within MORE and while I respected her toughness and pronounced intelligence, I just never expected her to be sitting at a table of grumbling trade unionists on a Friday night. Yet there she was, urging folks to remember the bigger picture -of everything that everyone in that room could accomplish with MORE.
She didn't take anyone on in any sort of direct confrontation or anything. Instead, she put forth her points at the table, then stayed for the whole meeting, making it a point to say hello to each and every person who had expressed a temperamental thought during it -repeating her points about hanging tough the whole time, while reassuring and reminding folks that MORE's greatest time lie ahead (she was right).
That impressed me. It takes a toughness to calmly repeat yourself to upset unionsts. You don't have to talk loud or go all postal in order to be tough, you know. Toughness comes during those quick, fleeting moments when others expect you to back and you don't. I've never seen Jia raise her voice. Yet I've never known her to back down either. Not once. That's Trade Unionism 101: Do.Not.Back.Down.
Fact is, Jia is all about the fight.
Writing about her Trade Unionists bona fides, Norm's post continues:
"Jia knows all about crazed administrators, having worked in a school under a Leadership Academy slug and even took on the job of chapter leader despite seeing previous CLs chopped or sent to the rubber room (a founder of ICE was the previous CL who was rubber-roomed). Jia had to spend so much time trying to defend her colleagues from being assaulted there was a danger of having her teaching affected. "
There is a bottom line here. Trade Unionists care about their working conditions, and little else beyond that scope. I identify myself as a proud trade unionist and I feel right at home helping Jia Lee take the presidency from Michael Mulgrew next Spring. I know that working conditions across the city will come to the front burner under her leadership. I know teachers will win back the respect and dignity we lost under the previous mayor (and have yet to fully gain back under this one) with her as president. I know my job will be easier with her in office and the experience of my students in my classroom (and tens of thousands of classrooms across the city) will be better because of it too.
And I know these conditions will improve while all of the things that effect my students -all of those social justice things that do impact my working conditions- will be addressed and improved as well.
I wanted to say that. I wanted to say that I'm not supporting her because she's with MORE or because she's been a Chapter Leader -or because she and her work have made life easier for my own third grade daughter (although it has). I'm behind her because she stands for the Trade Unionist agenda that I'm willing fight over. And that's all the difference.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Explaining Retro
"Why am I even thinking about this in August? It's my vacation for chrissakes!"
"Look, don't get upset with at me over this. I'm just trying to help here"
"Ok. Ok. You're right. Fine. Let's start over. So, we're getting a retro check in October. Correct?"
"Correct", he said. "We're getting a partial retro check on October 1st of this year"
"October. Your'e sure"
"Yes. I've said it five times. I'm not sure how many more time I could say it without my head exploding."
He smiled as he said it, so as to break the tense moment that he himself had just created. It was a neat trick, actually. He'd say something snide and nasty so the person he was talking to felt like a dummy, then he'd corner them with a warm, genuine smile. Worked like a charm almost every time.
"I know. I know. I'm sorry." she said. "It's just, I don't get this partial thing. Why only part?"
"Why? I don't know. I'm sorry.", he said, smiling again again. There was a pause.
"Sorry. I meant to ask, which part are we getting?"
"It's the small part", replied another voice from across the table. "It's not even gonna matter. I don't even know why we're here talking about this."
"Well, you guys asked me here to explain to you how much we're all getting in October. I'm here to help you understand. I'll try explaining one more time. Sound fair?"
He was beyond a smile at that point. He had given up more than his share of his own time going around trying to help people understand how much they should expect this year in their 'back pay' check. He did it out of a sense of obligation and out of a sense of solidarity to his fellow union members. He knew folks' credit card bills had piled up during the recession, knew that rising costs hit teachers kind of hard during that time and he felt that, since he generally understood how much he was getting this October (about 4k; enough to pay off just one of his credit bills), he would go ahead and try to explain the process to whomever asked.
And folks asked. Oh, did they ask! He had been taking emails and phone calls and meeting for coffee and drinks with total strangers for almost a month now. Most times it was to convince people that they were actually getting something this Fall (Folks actually forgot. Could people's memories be that short?) but sometimes, every so often, like with this small group of friends, he was asked to explain the actually formula. The process itself. He always explained it as clear as he could. And it never turned out well.
Staring across the table at Mikhail, proclaiming how it didn't matter anyway -and simultaneously wondering whether he was right and, if so, why anyone (including himself) was even there- he realized this too would not turn out so well.
"Ok" she said. Asking for his attention again. "Try not to kill him. Just ... how much are we getting? I mean, how much am I getting?"
"Ok!' He started off, "You're getting twelve and a half percent"
"Twelve and a half percent of what? I'm no math teacher, but I know it's got to be twelve and a half percent of something"
"Riiiight!" he said, smiling again. "It's twelve and a half percent of everything they owe you. "
"Everything", she said. She said it. Everyone knew she really asking something, but she said it as though it were a statement. His cute trick didn't work this time.
"Right. Look, it's just math here, ok? It's not like Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane or anything like that. It's only math", he continued, this time with a more serious face. "Twelve and a half percent of everything from 2009. Everything they owe you from November 1st, 2009 to today".
"Alright." She said. "Well how do I figure that out?"
"It's actually really easy. Take the total amount you earned from November 1st 2009 to May 1, 2015 and ..."
"And multiple that times 8, right? because that's what they they owe us; eight percent. Right?"
"No. Actually, they owe us four percent during this period of time"
"How do I even figure out what I made during this time?"
"Well, you'll have to Call HR connect. They'll help you out"
"Ok. So let's say I do that, what do I do next?"
"Ok. Then, take the total amount you earned from November 1st 2009 to May 1, 2015 and multiply that times .04. That's part of the amount they owe you"
"Now" he continued, "take the total amount you earned from 11/1/2010 to today and ...."
"Wait. What? Why 2010? And why until today and not until May"
"Because they haven't yet given us that part of the raise"
"What raise? I don't understand what you're saying"
He leaned back and signaled for another drink by waving his empty glass until the waitress nodded.
"You're right. I'm getting a bit confused. Look, I know this is difficult. I know this is confusing. But this is actually, quite easy once you put some thought into it. Please listen without interruption. I think I can make this clear."
He leaned in, elbows on the table, hand in the air."Take the total amount you earned from November 1st 2009 to May 1, 2015 and multiply that times .04. Then take the total amount you earned from May 1, 2015 to today and multiply that times .0608 Once that's done, take the total amount you earned from 11/1/2010 to 5/1/2015 and multiply that times .0416"
"Wait." she said ".0608? Where does that come from?
"It's compounded interest, off of the two percent that you're owed between 5/1/2015 and today. I'd be happy to explain another time. You should have three numbers when you're done. The amount you earned between eleven-one-o-nine to five-one-fifteen, TIMES .point zero four, the amount you earned from five, one, fifteen to today, TIMES point zero six zero eight, and the amount you earned between eleven-one-ten and five-one-fieten, TIMES point zero four one six. Add those up and that's what they owe you. That's what we lost. That's what we were screwed out of by them all" He showed them the napkin he had scribbled it on.
The drink came. He grabbed it and, realizing it was the only relief he would have, took it all in one slow sip while everyone patiently waited. He noticed the look -that glazed over look that comes across educated people's faces when they don't understand what they're hearing but are too embarrassed to admit it. He'd seen it a hundred times before and didn't like it. But the vodka was good, the glass was cold and he just didn't care anymore. This was it. The last time he was explaining this to anyone anywhere -ever. He was done. The union mucked this whole thing up and confused everyone. Let the union explain it from now on. After finishing the drink, he reached for his phone and wallet, stared at the table, and slowly continued.
"Now take that number, and multiply it by", he made eye contact with her, motioned to her with his hand and simultaneously, slowly removed his body from the booth, first feet, then legs, then hips, "twelve and a half percent. See?".
Standing now, he gave them both a really big smile. "Just multiply it by point one two five. And that's the amount you should expect on October 1st." He started his turn for the door but was interrupted by a voice.
"Minus taxes, right?"
"Correct." he said, as he offered a partial turn and smiled again. "Minus taxes. Guys, it was so great to see you all again. Let's meet up again sometime before the winter break, ok? Be well!"
As he turned again the leave the bar, he noticed black plaque with brass letters hanging over the door.
"Yeah. Done" he thought and headed on out the door.
"Look, don't get upset with at me over this. I'm just trying to help here"
"Ok. Ok. You're right. Fine. Let's start over. So, we're getting a retro check in October. Correct?"
"Correct", he said. "We're getting a partial retro check on October 1st of this year"
"October. Your'e sure"
"Yes. I've said it five times. I'm not sure how many more time I could say it without my head exploding."
He smiled as he said it, so as to break the tense moment that he himself had just created. It was a neat trick, actually. He'd say something snide and nasty so the person he was talking to felt like a dummy, then he'd corner them with a warm, genuine smile. Worked like a charm almost every time.
"I know. I know. I'm sorry." she said. "It's just, I don't get this partial thing. Why only part?"
"Why? I don't know. I'm sorry.", he said, smiling again again. There was a pause.
"Sorry. I meant to ask, which part are we getting?"
"It's the small part", replied another voice from across the table. "It's not even gonna matter. I don't even know why we're here talking about this."
"Well, you guys asked me here to explain to you how much we're all getting in October. I'm here to help you understand. I'll try explaining one more time. Sound fair?"
He was beyond a smile at that point. He had given up more than his share of his own time going around trying to help people understand how much they should expect this year in their 'back pay' check. He did it out of a sense of obligation and out of a sense of solidarity to his fellow union members. He knew folks' credit card bills had piled up during the recession, knew that rising costs hit teachers kind of hard during that time and he felt that, since he generally understood how much he was getting this October (about 4k; enough to pay off just one of his credit bills), he would go ahead and try to explain the process to whomever asked.
And folks asked. Oh, did they ask! He had been taking emails and phone calls and meeting for coffee and drinks with total strangers for almost a month now. Most times it was to convince people that they were actually getting something this Fall (Folks actually forgot. Could people's memories be that short?) but sometimes, every so often, like with this small group of friends, he was asked to explain the actually formula. The process itself. He always explained it as clear as he could. And it never turned out well.
Staring across the table at Mikhail, proclaiming how it didn't matter anyway -and simultaneously wondering whether he was right and, if so, why anyone (including himself) was even there- he realized this too would not turn out so well.
"Ok" she said. Asking for his attention again. "Try not to kill him. Just ... how much are we getting? I mean, how much am I getting?"
"Ok!' He started off, "You're getting twelve and a half percent"
"Twelve and a half percent of what? I'm no math teacher, but I know it's got to be twelve and a half percent of something"
"Riiiight!" he said, smiling again. "It's twelve and a half percent of everything they owe you. "
"Everything", she said. She said it. Everyone knew she really asking something, but she said it as though it were a statement. His cute trick didn't work this time.
"Right. Look, it's just math here, ok? It's not like Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane or anything like that. It's only math", he continued, this time with a more serious face. "Twelve and a half percent of everything from 2009. Everything they owe you from November 1st, 2009 to today".
"Alright." She said. "Well how do I figure that out?"
"It's actually really easy. Take the total amount you earned from November 1st 2009 to May 1, 2015 and ..."
"And multiple that times 8, right? because that's what they they owe us; eight percent. Right?"
"No. Actually, they owe us four percent during this period of time"
"How do I even figure out what I made during this time?"
"Well, you'll have to Call HR connect. They'll help you out"
"Ok. So let's say I do that, what do I do next?"
"Ok. Then, take the total amount you earned from November 1st 2009 to May 1, 2015 and multiply that times .04. That's part of the amount they owe you"
"Now" he continued, "take the total amount you earned from 11/1/2010 to today and ...."
"Wait. What? Why 2010? And why until today and not until May"
"Because they haven't yet given us that part of the raise"
"What raise? I don't understand what you're saying"
He leaned back and signaled for another drink by waving his empty glass until the waitress nodded.
"You're right. I'm getting a bit confused. Look, I know this is difficult. I know this is confusing. But this is actually, quite easy once you put some thought into it. Please listen without interruption. I think I can make this clear."
He leaned in, elbows on the table, hand in the air."Take the total amount you earned from November 1st 2009 to May 1, 2015 and multiply that times .04. Then take the total amount you earned from May 1, 2015 to today and multiply that times .0608 Once that's done, take the total amount you earned from 11/1/2010 to 5/1/2015 and multiply that times .0416"
"Wait." she said ".0608? Where does that come from?
"It's compounded interest, off of the two percent that you're owed between 5/1/2015 and today. I'd be happy to explain another time. You should have three numbers when you're done. The amount you earned between eleven-one-o-nine to five-one-fifteen, TIMES .point zero four, the amount you earned from five, one, fifteen to today, TIMES point zero six zero eight, and the amount you earned between eleven-one-ten and five-one-fieten, TIMES point zero four one six. Add those up and that's what they owe you. That's what we lost. That's what we were screwed out of by them all" He showed them the napkin he had scribbled it on.
11/1/2009 - 5/1/2015 TIMES .04 plus
5/1/2015 - today TIMES .0608 plus
11/1/2010 - 5/1/2015 TIMES .0416 plus
--------------------------------
THE TOTAL AMOUNT THEY OWE US
The drink came. He grabbed it and, realizing it was the only relief he would have, took it all in one slow sip while everyone patiently waited. He noticed the look -that glazed over look that comes across educated people's faces when they don't understand what they're hearing but are too embarrassed to admit it. He'd seen it a hundred times before and didn't like it. But the vodka was good, the glass was cold and he just didn't care anymore. This was it. The last time he was explaining this to anyone anywhere -ever. He was done. The union mucked this whole thing up and confused everyone. Let the union explain it from now on. After finishing the drink, he reached for his phone and wallet, stared at the table, and slowly continued.
"Now take that number, and multiply it by", he made eye contact with her, motioned to her with his hand and simultaneously, slowly removed his body from the booth, first feet, then legs, then hips, "twelve and a half percent. See?".
Standing now, he gave them both a really big smile. "Just multiply it by point one two five. And that's the amount you should expect on October 1st." He started his turn for the door but was interrupted by a voice.
"Minus taxes, right?"
"Correct." he said, as he offered a partial turn and smiled again. "Minus taxes. Guys, it was so great to see you all again. Let's meet up again sometime before the winter break, ok? Be well!"
As he turned again the leave the bar, he noticed black plaque with brass letters hanging over the door.
"An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way"
"Yeah. Done" he thought and headed on out the door.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Activists, Would-Be Teachers, Consider Rally for Teacher Shortage in NYC Area
Greenburgh, NY - Frustrated with their lack of employment prospects, activist would-be teachers met last night to determine their next course of action in light of new revelations that New York will be the only major city in America not to have a teacher shortage in the coming year.
Morale was pretty low in the dimly lit dining room of the local Pizza Hut as the small group of wanna-be teachers realized the full scope of their dilemma. The lone Android tablet displaying the article from the 'Chalkbeat' Ed news website was passed from person to person as they expressed emotions ranging from indignation to pure rage.
"We've waited long enough! When will this teacher shortage get here already!? " yelled Stephen Patterson, a certified English educator (who has yet to land a job in the classroom), as he practically threw the tablet across the table to Annette Cannizzarroio. Cannizzarroio (who possesses an Astrophysics degree and is a licensed math teacher, with a Special Education extension and another ESL extension and works part-time at the Taco Bell across the street), simply scowled as she examined the contents of the article and turned her head. "There's a crack on the screen" she murmured, as she silently passed it along.
Hopes had been soaring high as late as last week when the New York Times published a piece declaring that, with the return of economic prosperity, a teacher shortage had taken root across the nation. "We finally thought we'd have a chance to land a job" explained Glenn Whitehalt, assistant manager at the eatery and host of the event, "Now", he continued, "I'll probably be stuck at this place forever". Whitehall, who possesses a bachelor's degree in Macro Economics with a focus on international trade, as well as an MBA and a Masters in Education, has been looking for a job as a city teacher since 1982 with no luck. Nows he leads this small group of potential public school educators, which he has dubbed 'TeachersNext'. They meet three times a week over some left-over chocolate pudding pizza to discuss strategic ways they can enter the profession. "A lot of people get confused about who we are.", he confided "They just don't get the idea that potential teachers can be activists too -and there are a lot of us future teachers out here just waiting to enter the profession. I'd say there are more of us than there are actual teachers in New York. I mean, is the press paying attention here? What the heck?"
Would-be teachers weren't the only ones who were upset to learn there would be no teacher crisis. Veteran teachers all across the city were hoping that a shortage would mean an end to the "meaningful observations" that the city's DOE has been pushing for well over six years now. "They have to end" tweeted @MzMedley4242, a music teacher from PS 9942 in the bronx. "They're just code for 'if I don't like you, you're Ineffective'." Seeming to run out of characters, she added "It's all a popularity conte"
Later asked via tweet whether she thought a teacher shortage would mean an easier time on the job, @Ms. Medley replied "st"
"freggin Twitter" she later wrote. "Of course! like, #duh"
ATRs were split on the news. Some exclaimed disappointment at learning that they would not be placed at a school to actually teach this year, while others expressed pure glee. "This is hugely upsetting." asserted Walter Tocanda-Cannon, a 24 year math teacher from Brooklyn. "I was really hopeful that I could finally go back to do what I was meant to do. I'm really good at it, you know? And this ATR thing is truly unfair."
"Thank Goodness", boasted Harold Millerz, an ATR science teacher from Manhattan. "This is the easiest gig I've ever had. I'd hate to think someone down there came to their senses! I don't want to go back into the classroom and teach again. That's for sure. Like never."
Many pundits expressed perplexity at the lack of shortage. "It just doesn't make sense" exclaimed education researcher Harold W. Arlin. "The pattern has always been the same", "People go into teaching during recession, then quit for real jobs when the economy changes. I don't really know what's happened in New York or why New York is so different from the rest of the country".
Dr. Arlin, who was made famous for his groundbreaking research examining best practices on how to get children to commit fewer spelling errors on their weekend homework assignments (published in the now famous report "Friday Night Special"), further added "any other thought on this topic would be, really, conjecture until some real, bonafide research is conducted here. I got $25 million for my last grant. I wonder how much I could get for this puppy?"
Asked why the return of economic prosperity hadn't resulted in many city teachers quitting and finding a better paying job, Michael Mulgrew, President of United Federation of Teachers, the union representing active and retired city teachers, waxed a bit poetic and simply laughed. "They won't get the back-pay they're owed until 2020!!!" he said, flailing his arms. "No one's going anywhere, buddy!!". "Excuse me" Mr. Mulgrew continued, scratching the back of his head "nicked myself shaving this morning".
But that type of understanding was tough to digest in Greenburgh. Back at the Pizza Hut, Glenn Whitehalt raised his voice in frustration, declaring "Enough! We want a teacher shortage here in the city and we want it now. It's time to take to the streets and protest.". But his plea had no effect on the half dozen or so uniformed fast food and retail employees who began to meander toward the exit. "Get real, man" murmured one voice. "See you tomorrow, Glenn", bellowed another "save me some of that pizza with the Pineapple."
A dishwasher named Herb -who happens to hold a Ph. D in education leadership from Yale and moonlights as the famous education blogger "Keyboard Warrior" simply frowned. "Those kids might consider being grateful for what they have." he said, shaking his head. "They'll probably make great teachers -someday."
Friday, July 31, 2015
This Is How To Defend A Teacher!
You should spend a few minutes with this video. It defends LA super-teacher Rafe Esquith in a way that makes you happy to be a school teacher (and makes me wish I was just half this good). How did they defend a teacher wrongly removed from his classroom? By sharing how he's helped his students and showing what kind of amazing adults they've grown up to be. Now that's class!
Hal Holbrook quoted Twain quote at the end. "First God Created Idiots. That was for Practice. Then he Created School Boards". That was well-placed (it was a Twain quote that got Esquith removed).
Hal Holbrook quoted Twain quote at the end. "First God Created Idiots. That was for Practice. Then he Created School Boards". That was well-placed (it was a Twain quote that got Esquith removed).
Sunday, June 14, 2015
New Eval System Slowly Taking Shape
Lots to talk about from NYSED's suggested proposals to the new new evaluation system (see the PowerPoint here). They vote tomorrow and the proposals will almost certainly be adopted. See the PowerPoint here. See the detailed commentary (from Carol Burrus) here. See DR's repost of Burris' here. And, yeah, that's just about it. No one seems to like details these days.
So the next stop will be the negotiation procedure between the NYCDOE and the UFT (all districts and their unions). In the meantime, here are the details that no one seems to be concerned with.
HEDI score will be decided locally. This means that the NYCDOE and the UFT will decide where the cutoff for HEDI is going to be. Look for an advance email in a year or so. These will look more like the GPA you and I received in college and less like the scores we received on spelling quizzes in elementary school. An "H"=4, "E"=3 and so on. Each component is graded like that, then the total amounts will be averaged; justlike a college GPA.
The principal/supervisor's observation is going to be worth at least 40% of your overall score and won't be worth more than 50%. Whether it's 40 or 50 (or even 35) will be all be locally agreed between the DOE and the UFT. Why? Well, the independent evaluator is going to happen. That score will be worth a minimum of 5%. In addition to that, city teachers should expect a peer evaluator worth another possible 5% of overall score, to, materialize. If a principal observation is worth 40% and the two evaluators are each worth a possible 5%, then that is from where the 50% of the observation score will come. Every single teacher in the state will have one unannounced observation (#ThanksCuomo) and live video recorded observations are now possible.
About the tests.
They're still worth half of your score! In fact, right now, only one is worth half of your overall rating. The law is pretty clear for teachers who do not teach grades 3-8, ELA/Math. For those teachers (80% of us), we will work off of Student Learning Objectives (SLOs). If we teach a course that ends in a test, the SLOs will be measured along the test we teach to. If we don't, then, well, they don't quite know. Everyone talk about grades 3-8, ELA/Math, but those folks are like none of my audience, so I'll just say that they will be working to improve the growth scores.
For the rest of us non 3-8 folks: I would normally take this space to engage in a long dissertation about how SLOs are, in fact, the same as growth scores, just mathematically repackaged. And also how, essentially, each are based off of the same number called a 'student decile'. I may even be tempted to describe how, to calculate growth scores, it's the student test score TIMES the decile and for SLOs, each decile yields a range within which each of our students must score in order for us to receive credit. But let's face facts: 1) It would all sound like 'bla bla bla' to you and 2) You may think that I like this evaluation system. I don't. And I don't want to bore you so, instead, check out this completely unrelated funny picture below
Ok. Now for some brief, modest commentary: The screengrab below, from page one of the PowerPoint that SED put out yesterday, really says all that needs to be said about this whole entire evaluation system.
5.0???
On the surface, it feels like they just can't seem to get this thing right. Of course, a closer examination might reveal why they can't get it right: Its reliance test scores make it completely unworkable. No manifestation of an eval system that relies on test scores -scores the teacher has less than 30% sway over creating*- can work. The folks who say that the whole system will eventually collapse under its own weight are, of course, correct. Until that day comes, we'll all just be confused and maybe even laugh a little at the absurdity. We'll probably be right back here in a year, or two, examining yet another version of APPR (6.0).
One other takeaway worth mentioning: That is a far cry from just four years ago, where a principal's observation was worth 100% of the overall score. Chancellor Klein rubber stamped any and all principal ratings and, whether the teacher was good or horrid, the 'U' the principal used to give stuck. Now, you'd have to be bad according to the principal, and two other observers, and two tests in order to get that 'U' (now called an 'I'). Say what you want about this system (I do), but whereas before, only one measure -the principal- could end a career, now a five different measures will have to lined up against you in order to do the same thing. Principal autonomy? Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Last thought: New York City teachers will probably have two tests. The first will count for 30% of our overall score and the second will count for 20% of our overall score. They will no longer be able to cut the same test two different ways, the way they do now, so we will probably have two separate standardized exams (this is IF the UFT and DOE can pull it off. If they can't then it'll wait another year until they figure it out). That's a win for us (because we're only ineffective if both exams come back as such) but it's a loss for our students. Stupid stress and a diabolical departure from the love of learning are the real winner when high stakes tests are on deck (even HST for teachers only).
I'll leave you with how it may well wind up for NYC teachers (note the words "may" and "NYC").
*See me in the comments if you want me to explain this. It's not complicated. Just math, actually.
Monday, May 18, 2015
UFT Wants Independent Evaluator To Count For MORE Than Anyone Else In the State
Have you ever wondered from where where the phrase 'The Devil is in the Details" comes? I mean we all know it and most folks have used it at least once, but have you ever stopped to wonder who first used it? I do (does that make me strange?). Read to the end of the post and I'll give you an explanation.
In the meantime, the devil was in Albany today. He was at the NYS Board of Regents meeting. The regents were all discussing how to implement the new teacher evaluation system. Among the several topics they considered? Just exactly how much should the observations from the "Independent Evaluator" be worth?
(Just a brief review. Under this new law, observations will be worth only 50% of our overall score. Of that 50%, the observations from our AP or principal will be worth a certain portion and the observations from this newly created independent evaluator will be worth another certain portion. How much each of those portions will be has yet to be determined and that's what they talked about today)
The NYS BoR, you see, gets to determine it. They do this by asking the different stakeholders (the major unions, school districts and large organizations) what they think. They board make a decision.
As it so happens, a teacher-parent-advocate from Ulster County, and steering committee member of NYSAPE, was was there watching the proceedings and Bianca Tanis noticed something interesting. It seems the UFT wants these evaluators to count for as much as 25% of that portion.
That's more than even the NYCDOE wants it to count!
The NYCDOE would like this independent evaluator to count for 20% of the observation (aka 'subjective') portion of the evaluation. The UFT wants it to count for as much as 25%! Compare this with NYSUT who wants it to count for no more than 5% (2.5% of a teacher's overall rating) and you just may realize that my local -the UFT- wants this independent evaluator disaster more than any other group in the state. Below is the picture Ms. Tanis took detailing what each of the largest organizations in the state would like to see.
In the meantime, the devil was in Albany today. He was at the NYS Board of Regents meeting. The regents were all discussing how to implement the new teacher evaluation system. Among the several topics they considered? Just exactly how much should the observations from the "Independent Evaluator" be worth?
(Just a brief review. Under this new law, observations will be worth only 50% of our overall score. Of that 50%, the observations from our AP or principal will be worth a certain portion and the observations from this newly created independent evaluator will be worth another certain portion. How much each of those portions will be has yet to be determined and that's what they talked about today)
The NYS BoR, you see, gets to determine it. They do this by asking the different stakeholders (the major unions, school districts and large organizations) what they think. They board make a decision.
As it so happens, a teacher-parent-advocate from Ulster County, and steering committee member of NYSAPE, was was there watching the proceedings and Bianca Tanis noticed something interesting. It seems the UFT wants these evaluators to count for as much as 25% of that portion.
That's more than even the NYCDOE wants it to count!
The NYCDOE would like this independent evaluator to count for 20% of the observation (aka 'subjective') portion of the evaluation. The UFT wants it to count for as much as 25%! Compare this with NYSUT who wants it to count for no more than 5% (2.5% of a teacher's overall rating) and you just may realize that my local -the UFT- wants this independent evaluator disaster more than any other group in the state. Below is the picture Ms. Tanis took detailing what each of the largest organizations in the state would like to see.
NYSUT: "1-5" NYCDOE: "5-20" UFT:"1-25" |
The UFT stated repeatedly that they were opposed to the governor's new evaluation system plan? Opposed? It looks to me like the UFT got just what it wanted! The UFT wants independent evaluators -those strangers who walk into our classroom to tell us whether or not we're good teachers- to be worth one quarter of or observation score.
UFT to teachers: Drop Dead.
Anyway, give up on the phrase? Most places I checked credited 19th Century French Writer Gustave Flaubert. Apparently, he once wrote that 'God' is in the details and that the phrase evolved to 'devil' over time.
That's a lot like the UFT. It once was a union that fought for protections for teachers in New York City and the union evolved over time --into a reform organization that is fully funded by teachers through their dues.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!
Just the phrase -New Teacher Evaluation System- brings a snarky smile to my face. We've seen so many 'new' teacher evaluation systems since 2011 that it is almost impossible to speak the last three words of the phrase and not begin with the first. The current "New" teacher evaluation system (passed as part of this year's budget) turned one month and 12 days old yesterday.
And on this same day, with many folks not paying much attention, a decision seems to have been reached new teacher evaluation system is quite the -how can I state this- disaster.
The Education Committee has released yet another new teacher evaluation bill that is sure to be an improvement upon the (42 day) old teacher evaluation system (the Perdido Street Blog caught it on on State of Politics). Just like it's predecessors, this "new" teacher evaluation system suggests some fairly significant changes to how teachers are going to be evaluatednext year the year after next.
Read the legislation here
Or just skim through some highlights of the changes that are being proposed:
And on this same day, with many folks not paying much attention, a decision seems to have been reached new teacher evaluation system is quite the -how can I state this- disaster.
The Education Committee has released yet another new teacher evaluation bill that is sure to be an improvement upon the (42 day) old teacher evaluation system (the Perdido Street Blog caught it on on State of Politics). Just like it's predecessors, this "new" teacher evaluation system suggests some fairly significant changes to how teachers are going to be evaluated
Read the legislation here
Or just skim through some highlights of the changes that are being proposed:
- NYSED will release ' a significant amount' of ELA and math questions to the public
- SED will also create a review board to examine questions before they go into a published test (yes, no more pineapples with no shirt sleeves)
- Districts will be allowed to compel teachers submit some type of project as part of the observation score if they (and their union) choose. You heard it here!
- SED will have until November 17 of this year to submit their work for comments (original date: June 30)
- (I'm not sure if I read this right, but it seems as though the implementation of the "new" system will be delayed for one year (I may be mistaken there)
- And districts will be able to allow more measures, other than a test, to count for the second 20 (formerly known as the state 20) of a teacher's score. So, for districts who choose to use a local measure (and that will be the New York City DoE) an option to use additional measures, other than the one test, will exist.
Gee what fun. I can't wait for our "new" teacher evaluation system to start! Bowie fans, click here.
PS..
One other change requires a brief note: The VAM Formula that the state uses will now have a few new categories by which to compare students. Students will now be compared with other students across the state in groups of" DISABILITIES, POVERTY STATUS, ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER STATUS AND PRIOR ACADEMIC HISTORY"
I leave this as a post script because I always presumed that the state's VAM model compared students along these lines. It is, after all, supposed to be the whole flipping point of VAM!!
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
DR and Tisch on Hayes Last Night
I'll say it. I wasn't a big fan of how Ravitch dealt with Tisch last night on MSNBC. The (3 minute) debate made me wonder what an active public school parent or even a teacher would have said if (s)he had had a few minutes next to one of the people responsible for the testing catastrophe that has occurred.
Tisch towed the line and said everything you would expect someone like her to say. 'The tests are aren't harmful.' 'They're only snapshot.' 'We need to know how kids are doing.' 'The public needs to know how kids are doing.' This was her line last night as it has been for the past two weeks. Of course, much of the premise of her statements were simply untrue.
Because of the lack oh honesty from Tisch, my hope was that Ravitch would directly stick it to her with sentiments something like "We already have a snapshot. It's called a report card". "They are are more than a diagnostic. They are high stakes tests". "The tests are being used to get teachers". "Parents have been dragged into a dispute between teachers and the state governments". "The tests undermine the value of what parents do and of what teachers do". "Parents have opted out because they have no other recourse". "Trust schools".
These were some of sentiments I was hoping to see. The plight of teachers and parents have been woven together by these tests and it doesn't take a mastermind to realize who the victims here are (students, parents and teachers in that order). It would have been nice to see some of that articulated last night.
True, she didn't get a whole lot of time. Tisch got the first and last word and DR did, of course, get in that AWESOME shot about children spending more time testing than lawyers do taking the bar examand. Also, honestly, I don't think 3 minutes at the end of a show is enough to accomplish anything. Lastly, this isn't criticism, not by a long shot, But the truth of the matter is that Hayes hit Tisch, the person who's bringing all this pain to us, harder than Ravitch did and although I'm not one who looks for red meat, I was hoping to see a bit more. So there. I said it.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Reminder: Tests Will Count More Than Supervisor Observations
Those tests will be worth 50% of teachers' score next year.
The observations from our supervisors are now diluted with observations from "independent" evaluators and will be worth less than that.
So there is quite a bit at stake with these boycotts against high-stakes test.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
VAMbiguous!
The new budget reads like an Escher piece |
it would be dishonest and selfish of me to insist that my colleagues who taught Phys-ed and Music, Special Education and Art, Kindergarten and First Grade, be held to tests on their PR just as I am. This system is unfair for all parties involved but it is egregious for teachers who do not even teach a course that ends in an exam.
I also said that I'd be in favor of a new system that let the types of teachers mentioned above off the hook from tests. I still would be.
The new budget may do precisely this. It may leave folks who don't teach to a state test off the hook from state tests. Only one problem: The law also leaves that question open for (seemingly) SED to decide.
I'll just spend the rest of this post explaining what I mean.
The text from the test portion of the evaluation description (contained in Subpart E of the Senate's version of the budget) is pasted below
(1) FOR THE FIRST SUBCOMPONENT,
(A) FOR A TEACHER WHOSE COURSE ENDS IN A STATE-CREATED OR ADMINISTERED TEST FOR WHICH THERE IS A STATE-PROVIDED GROWTH MODEL, SUCH TEACHER SHALL HAVE A STATE-PROVIDED GROWTH SCORE BASED ON SUCH MODEL; AND
(B) FOR A TEACHER WHOSE COURSE DOES NOT END IN A STATE-CREATED OR ADMINISTERED TEST SUCH TEACHER SHALL HAVE A STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVE (SLO) CONSISTENT WITH A GOAL-SETTING PROCESS DETER-MINED OR DEVELOPED BY THE COMMISSIONER, THAT RESULTS IN A STUDENT GROWTH SCORE; PROVIDED THAT, FOR ANY TEACHER WHOSE COURSE ENDS IN A STATE-CREATED OR ADMINISTERED ASSESSMENT FOR WHICH THERE IS NO STATE-PROVIDEDGROWTH MODEL, SUCH ASSESSMENT MUST BE USED AS THE UNDERLYING ASSESSMENT FOR SUCH SLO;
What you just read establishes three categories of teachers. There are teacher who:
1. Teach to a state test for which there is a VAM 'growth model' formula
2. Teach to a state test for which is there no VAM 'growth model' formula
3. Teach to no state test at all.
The first category are teachers for who teach grades 3-8, ELA or Math.
"FOR A TEACHER WHOSE COURSE ENDS IN A STATE-CREATED OR ADMINISTERED TEST FOR WHICH THERE IS A STATE-PROVIDED GROWTH MODEL".The test for grades 3-8, ELA or Math are the only ones to which the 'state-provided growth model' applies (here's your growth model, by the way. Try not to cry).
Teachers whose courses do not end in a test are mentioned second
"A TEACHER WHOSE COURSE DOES NOT END IN A STATE-CREATED OR ADMINISTERED TEST". SUCH TEACHER SHALL HAVE A STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVE (SLO) ... THAT RESULTS IN A STUDENT GROWTH SCORE;
For these folks, SED will provide student learning objectives. No more growth scores as has been the case in New York City, and many districts, for several years. More on this further down.
The third category of teacher is for folks like me. Her'es how it reads.
TEACHER(s) WHOSE COURSE ENDS IN A STATE-CREATED OR ADMINISTERED ASSESSMENT FOR WHICH THERE IS NO STATE-PROVIDED GROWTH MODEL (emphasis added)
These are folks who teach a course which does end in a test, but not the grades 3-8, ELA or Math test. These are teachers whose tests have no VAM 'growth model' at all. Those folks will also work off of student learning objectives provided by the state, but those learning objectives must work off of the state test.
There is a difference between SLOs and growth scores that needs to be discussed. An SLO is set by the state, whereas a the math behind a 'growth score' process can be more easily controlled by the district. This is the classic struggle of state control vs. local control.
Almost no one has trusted SED to provide learning objectives for their students. Districts have felt much more comfortable deciding for themselves whether students have 'grown' enough with a particular teacher. As a result, virtually everyone embraced the 'growth score' approach.
Here in New York City, for instance, a teachers' "individual" growth score has mainly been the average result of how everyone in your building, teaching to the same test, performed. Averaging all of the scores in gave teachers whose test score may have been lower a bit of cover. This is how many districts across the state wanted it. That process is no more. Moving forward, SED will provide SLOs for anyone who doesn't teach to the grades 3-8, ELA and Math exam. That includes teachers who teach to a 'non VAM' test and teachers who teach to no test at all.
SO here's the rub: The law is only insisting that teachers who teach directly to a test be held accountable to how students performed on a test. It makes absolutely no mention of teachers who teach to no test at all.
And for those folks -for teachers who teach to no test at all- NYSED will decide, by June 30, 2015, how to meet the SLOs (student learning objectives). SED could decide to use a test the way they do now, or they could decide to use no test at all.
So who teaches a course that does not end with a state test? Whose fate hangs in the balance of SED's June 30 decision?
- Kindergarten teachers
- First Grade teachers
- Second Grade teachers
- Elementary level science or social studies teachers
- middle school science, teachers
- middle school social studies teachers
- middle school language teachers
- Many ninth grade teachers of all subjects
- Many twelve grade teachers of all subjects
- K-12 Art teachers
- K-12 Music teachers
- K-12 ESL teachers
- K-12 Speech Teachers
- K-12 Phy-Ed teachers
These are folks who -ridiculously- currently have their jobs evaluated by how a student performs on a test that has nothing to do with their job. If there is a possibility that these teachers could be left off the hook starting next year, I'm all in favor of it. I guess we'll all see what SED decides by June 30.
Monday, April 6, 2015
The Unfunded Mandate(s) of the NYS Budget
Lots of new costs to school districts across the state with this new budget! Here are a list of just a few.
Independent Evaluators. For some reason, the governor's office claims that having an independent evaluator observer over one million teachers throughout the state will cost no extra money. 'Teachers and principals', the argument goes,'can jgo perform those observations on their own'. That's nuts.
1. At a minimum, someone will have to cover the teaching periods or the buildings of the educators who go perform these evaluations.
2. Districts will have to train these teachers in the observation process. That takes time and money.
New Observation process Trainers both for teachers being observed and for teacher/principals observers will have to take place. Why? Well, because most of the state will be getting used to a brand new observation rubric. These are deeply detailed multi page rubrics. I once knew a guy who said it took him 2 years just to learn Danielson's Rubric and that once he stopped using it, he forgot most of it. Those trainings will cost money.
Mandatory 3020 hearings Here's a fact that will make teachers from New York City giggle: Most districts across the state are actually happy with their teachers! Outside of the city, there are very attempts to fire a teacher. With the new plan, district will be forced to fire a teacher who scores I three years in a row. Teacher shortage? tough crap. Need to hire an outside lawyer because the district is too small to place on on payroll? tough crap. Teacher who got caught in the crosshairs of VAM? tough ccrap. Three I's and you have to be fired.
Mandatory Improvement Plans These aren't in the budget but they are a part of King's current plan and part of almost every current 3012-c APPR I've seen. If a teacher's final score is a "D", the district must follow an improvement plan that the district has provided (that the district has provided). One of the big results of this budget are that many more teachers will score a "D" as a final rating (in fact, that was the whole political point to the switch: Let more teachers score lower). This means more improvement plans. Whether the district of the teacher will be compelled to pay for it matters not to me. Someone, other than the state, will have to pay for it.
Pensions I've now heard from multiple sources, each connected to NYSUT, that the budget will not fund the full amount of the state teacher pension obligations for the year. While this doesn't apply to New York City, it's still a pretty bad sign. Frankly, it's the type of thing that New Jersey does to its teachers and it's one of the few things that keeps New York State's retirement system in good shape: the government here in New York typically pays up what it owes public employees (also, there is a huge budget windfall this year, so there is actual reason to pay less). I hope there isn't any more I have to think about this -but if I do, 2017 is a pretty significant year. think I'll just leave that there.
Just to be clear: Unfunded mandates for suburban school districts mean higher property taxes and layoffs. Unfunded mandates for the big five urban districts mean a cut to service and a cut -through attrition- of the teaching and support force.
Got this from http://educationspeaks.org/wp-content/ uploads/2012/02/ManMon.png |
Independent Evaluators. For some reason, the governor's office claims that having an independent evaluator observer over one million teachers throughout the state will cost no extra money. 'Teachers and principals', the argument goes,'can jgo perform those observations on their own'. That's nuts.
1. At a minimum, someone will have to cover the teaching periods or the buildings of the educators who go perform these evaluations.
2. Districts will have to train these teachers in the observation process. That takes time and money.
New Observation process Trainers both for teachers being observed and for teacher/principals observers will have to take place. Why? Well, because most of the state will be getting used to a brand new observation rubric. These are deeply detailed multi page rubrics. I once knew a guy who said it took him 2 years just to learn Danielson's Rubric and that once he stopped using it, he forgot most of it. Those trainings will cost money.
Mandatory 3020 hearings Here's a fact that will make teachers from New York City giggle: Most districts across the state are actually happy with their teachers! Outside of the city, there are very attempts to fire a teacher. With the new plan, district will be forced to fire a teacher who scores I three years in a row. Teacher shortage? tough crap. Need to hire an outside lawyer because the district is too small to place on on payroll? tough crap. Teacher who got caught in the crosshairs of VAM? tough ccrap. Three I's and you have to be fired.
Mandatory Improvement Plans These aren't in the budget but they are a part of King's current plan and part of almost every current 3012-c APPR I've seen. If a teacher's final score is a "D", the district must follow an improvement plan that the district has provided (that the district has provided). One of the big results of this budget are that many more teachers will score a "D" as a final rating (in fact, that was the whole political point to the switch: Let more teachers score lower). This means more improvement plans. Whether the district of the teacher will be compelled to pay for it matters not to me. Someone, other than the state, will have to pay for it.
Pensions I've now heard from multiple sources, each connected to NYSUT, that the budget will not fund the full amount of the state teacher pension obligations for the year. While this doesn't apply to New York City, it's still a pretty bad sign. Frankly, it's the type of thing that New Jersey does to its teachers and it's one of the few things that keeps New York State's retirement system in good shape: the government here in New York typically pays up what it owes public employees (also, there is a huge budget windfall this year, so there is actual reason to pay less). I hope there isn't any more I have to think about this -but if I do, 2017 is a pretty significant year. think I'll just leave that there.
Just to be clear: Unfunded mandates for suburban school districts mean higher property taxes and layoffs. Unfunded mandates for the big five urban districts mean a cut to service and a cut -through attrition- of the teaching and support force.
The Full Budget (Senate Version)
Just copying the full text of the NY Senate's version of the budget. This is th epart that applies directly to changes in education law. It's divided into 7 parts, each labeled subparts A-F.
SUBPART A
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 669-f
to read as follows:
S 669-F. NEW YORK STATE MASTERS-IN-EDUCATION TEACHER INCENTIVE SCHOL-
ARSHIP PROGRAM. 1. ELIGIBILITY. STUDENTS WHO ARE MATRICULATED IN AN
APPROVED MASTER'S DEGREE IN EDUCATION PROGRAM AT A NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC
INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION LEADING TO A CAREER AS A TEACHER IN
PUBLIC ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY EDUCATION SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN AWARD
UNDER THIS SECTION, PROVIDED THE APPLICANT: (A) EARNED AN UNDERGRADUATE
DEGREE FROM A COLLEGE LOCATED IN NEW YORK STATE; (B) WAS A NEW YORK
STATE RESIDENT WHILE EARNING SUCH UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE; (C) ACHIEVED
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AS AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT, AS DEFINED BY THE
CORPORATION IN REGULATION; (D) ENROLLS IN FULL-TIME STUDY IN AN APPROVED
MASTER'S DEGREE IN EDUCATION PROGRAM AT A NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC INSTITU-
TION OF HIGHER EDUCATION LEADING TO A CAREER AS A TEACHER IN PUBLIC
ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY EDUCATION; (E) SIGNS A CONTRACT WITH THE CORPO-
RATION AGREEING TO TEACH IN A CLASSROOM SETTING ON A FULL-TIME BASIS FOR
FIVE YEARS IN A SCHOOL LOCATED WITHIN NEW YORK STATE PROVIDING PUBLIC
ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY EDUCATION RECOGNIZED BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS OR
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING CHARTER SCHOOLS
AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER; AND (F)
COMPLIES WITH THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE AND ALL REQUIRE-
MENTS PROMULGATED BY THE CORPORATION FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE
PROGRAM.
2. WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED THEREFOR, AWARDS SHALL BE GRANTED TO
APPLICANTS THAT THE CORPORATION HAS CERTIFIED ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE
SUCH AWARDS. UP TO FIVE HUNDRED AWARDS MAY BE GRANTED TO NEW RECIPIENTS
ANNUALLY. SUCH AWARDS SHALL BE GRANTED UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF
EACH TERM, AS DEFINED BY THE CORPORATION.
3. AN AWARD SHALL ENTITLE THE RECIPIENT TO ANNUAL PAYMENTS FOR NOT
MORE THAN TWO ACADEMIC YEARS OF FULL-TIME GRADUATE STUDY LEADING TO
CERTIFICATION AS AN ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY CLASSROOM TEACHER.
4. THE CORPORATION SHALL GRANT SUCH AWARDS IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE
ANNUAL TUITION CHARGED TO STATE RESIDENT STUDENTS ATTENDING A GRADUATE
PROGRAM FULL-TIME AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, OR ACTUAL TUITION
CHARGED, WHICHEVER IS LESS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, (I) A STUDENT WHO
RECEIVES EDUCATIONAL GRANTS AND/OR SCHOLARSHIPS THAT COVER THE STUDENT'S
FULL COST OF ATTENDANCE SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN AWARD UNDER THIS
PROGRAM; (II) FOR A STUDENT WHO RECEIVES EDUCATIONAL GRANTS AND/OR SCHO-
LARSHIPS THAT COVER LESS THAN THE STUDENT'S FULL COST OF ATTENDANCE,
SUCH GRANTS AND/OR SCHOLARSHIPS SHALL NOT BE DEEMED DUPLICATIVE OF THIS
PROGRAM AND MAY BE HELD CONCURRENTLY WITH AN AWARD UNDER THIS PROGRAM,
PROVIDED THAT THE COMBINED BENEFITS DO NOT EXCEED THE STUDENT'S FULL
COST OF ATTENDANCE; AND (III) AN AWARD UNDER THIS PROGRAM SHALL BE
APPLIED TO TUITION AFTER THE APPLICATION OF ALL OTHER EDUCATIONAL GRANTS
AND SCHOLARSHIPS LIMITED TO TUITION AND SHALL BE REDUCED IN AN AMOUNT
EQUAL TO SUCH EDUCATIONAL GRANTS AND/OR SCHOLARSHIPS. UPON NOTIFICATION
OF AN AWARD UNDER THIS PROGRAM, THE INSTITUTION SHALL DEFER THE AMOUNT
OF TUITION EQUAL TO THE AWARD. NO AWARD SHALL BE FINAL UNTIL THE RECIPI-
ENT'S SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A TERM HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE INSTITU-
TION. A RECIPIENT OF AN AWARD UNDER THIS PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE
FOR AN AWARD UNDER THE NEW YORK STATE MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHING INCEN-
TIVE PROGRAM.
5. THE CORPORATION SHALL CONVERT TO A STUDENT LOAN THE FULL AMOUNT OF
THE AWARD GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, PLUS INTEREST, ACCORDING TO
A SCHEDULE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE CORPORATION IF: (A) TWO YEARS AFTER
THE COMPLETION OF THE DEGREE PROGRAM AND RECEIPT OF INITIAL CERTIF-
ICATION IT IS FOUND THAT A RECIPIENT IS NOT TEACHING IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL
LOCATED WITHIN NEW YORK STATE PROVIDING ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY EDUCA-
TION RECOGNIZED BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS OR THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING CHARTER SCHOOLS AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE
FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER; (B) A RECIPIENT HAS NOT TAUGHT IN A PUBLIC
SCHOOL LOCATED WITHIN NEW YORK STATE PROVIDING ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY
EDUCATION RECOGNIZED BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS OR THE UNIVERSITY OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING CHARTER SCHOOLS AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO
ARTICLE FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER, FOR FIVE OF THE SEVEN YEARS AFTER THE
COMPLETION OF THE GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAM AND RECEIPT OF INITIAL CERTIF-
ICATION; (C) A RECIPIENT FAILS TO COMPLETE HIS OR HER GRADUATE DEGREE
PROGRAM IN EDUCATION; (D) A RECIPIENT FAILS TO RECEIVE OR MAINTAIN HIS
OR HER TEACHING CERTIFICATE OR LICENSE IN NEW YORK STATE FOR THE
REQUIRED PERIOD; OR (E) A RECIPIENT FAILS TO RESPOND TO REQUESTS BY THE
CORPORATION FOR THE STATUS OF HIS OR HER ACADEMIC OR PROFESSIONAL
PROGRESS. THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE DEFERRED
FOR ANY INTERRUPTION IN GRADUATE STUDY OR EMPLOYMENT AS ESTABLISHED BY
THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE CORPORATION. ANY OBLIGATION TO COMPLY
WITH SUCH PROVISIONS AS OUTLINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CANCELLED UPON
THE DEATH OF THE RECIPIENT. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISIONS OF THIS
SUBDIVISION TO THE CONTRARY, THE CORPORATION IS AUTHORIZED TO PROMULGATE
RULES AND REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE WAIVER OR SUSPENSION OF ANY
FINANCIAL OBLIGATION WHICH WOULD INVOLVE EXTREME HARDSHIP.
6. THE CORPORATION IS AUTHORIZED TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS,
AND MAY PROMULGATE EMERGENCY REGULATIONS, NECESSARY FOR THE IMPLEMENTA-
TION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
THE CRITERIA FOR THE PROVISION OF AWARDS ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS, AND THE
RATE OF INTEREST CHARGED FOR REPAYMENT OF THE STUDENT LOAN.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed to
have been in full force and effect on and after April 1, 2015.
SUBPART B
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 210-a
to read as follows:
S 210-A. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE-LEVEL TEACHER AND EDUCA-
TIONAL LEADER PROGRAMS. EACH INSTITUTION REGISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT
WITH GRADUATE-LEVEL TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION PROGRAMS SHALL ADOPT
RIGOROUS SELECTION CRITERIA GEARED TO PREDICTING A CANDIDATE'S ACADEMIC
SUCCESS IN ITS PROGRAM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, A MINIMUM SCORE ON
THE GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION OR A SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT ADMISSION
EXAMINATION, AS DETERMINED BY THE INSTITUTION, AND ACHIEVEMENT OF A
CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 3.0 OR HIGHER IN THE CANDIDATE'S
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM. EACH PROGRAM MAY EXEMPT NO MORE THAN FIFTEEN
PERCENT OF ANY INCOMING CLASS OF STUDENTS FROM SUCH SELECTION CRITERIA
SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION BASED ON A STUDENT'S DEMONSTRATION OF POTEN-
TIAL TO POSITIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION OR OTHER EXTEN-
UATING CIRCUMSTANCES PURSUANT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER. A
PROGRAM SHALL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ADMITTED
PURSUANT TO SUCH EXEMPTION AND THE SELECTION CRITERIA USED FOR SUCH
EXEMPTIONS.
S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 210-b to
read as follows:
S 210-B. GRADUATE-LEVEL TEACHER AND EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
DEREGISTRATION AND SUSPENSION. 1. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUSPEND A GRADU-
ATE PROGRAM'S AUTHORITY TO ADMIT NEW STUDENTS IF FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE
ACADEMIC YEARS, FEWER THAN FIFTY PERCENT OF ITS STUDENTS WHO HAVE SATIS-
FACTORILY COMPLETED THE PROGRAM PASS EACH EXAMINATION THAT THEY HAVE
TAKEN THAT IS REQUIRED FOR CERTIFICATION AND SHALL NOTIFY CURRENTLY
ADMITTED AND ENROLLED STUDENTS OF SUCH SUSPENSION. THE GRADUATE PROGRAM
SHALL BE PERMITTED TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME IT
WOULD TAKE ALL CURRENTLY ADMITTED AND/OR ENROLLED STUDENTS, IF THEY WERE
TO ATTEND CLASSES ON A FULL-TIME BASIS, TO COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THEIR DEGREES. IF, AT ANY TIME DURING SUCH PERIOD, THE COMMISSIONER
DETERMINES THAT STUDENT AND/OR PROGRAM PERFORMANCE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY
IMPROVED, THE COMMISSIONER MAY REINSTATE THE PROGRAM'S ABILITY TO ADMIT
NEW STUDENTS. IF THE COMMISSIONER DOES NOT AFFIRMATIVELY REINSTATE THE
PROGRAM'S AUTHORITY TO ADMIT NEW STUDENTS DURING SUCH TIME PERIOD, THE
PROGRAM SHALL BE DEREGISTERED. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION,
STUDENTS WHO HAVE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED THE GRADUATE PROGRAM SHALL
MEAN STUDENTS WHO HAVE MET EACH EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT OF THE PROGRAM,
EXCLUDING ANY REQUIREMENT THAT THE STUDENT PASS EACH REQUIRED NEW YORK
STATE TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION FOR A TEACHING CERTIFICATE
AND/OR SCHOOL BUILDING LEADER EXAMINATION FOR A SCHOOL BUILDING LEADER
CERTIFICATE IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM. STUDENTS SATISFACTORILY
MEETING EACH EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT MAY INCLUDE STUDENTS WHO EARN A
DEGREE OR STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE EACH EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT WITHOUT
EARNING A DEGREE. WHEN MAKING SUCH A DETERMINATION, THE DEPARTMENT
SHALL CONSIDER THE PERFORMANCE ON EACH CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION OF THE
COHORT OF STUDENTS COMPLETING AN EXAMINATION NOT MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
BEFORE THE END OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR IN WHICH THE PROGRAM IS COMPLETED OR
NOT LATER THAN THE SEPTEMBER THIRTIETH FOLLOWING THE END OF SUCH ACADEM-
IC YEAR, WHERE ACADEMIC YEAR IS DEFINED AS JULY FIRST THROUGH JUNE THIR-
TIETH, AND SHALL CONSIDER ONLY THE HIGHEST SCORE OF INDIVIDUALS TAKING A
TEST MORE THAN ONCE. WHEN MAKING SUCH A DETERMINATION THE DEPARTMENT
MAY ADJUST ITS METHODOLOGY FOR DETERMINING EXAMINATION PASSAGE RATES FOR
ONE OR MORE CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS TO ACCOUNT FOR SAMPLE SIZE AND
ACCURACY.
2. THE INSTITUTION MAY SUBMIT AN APPEAL OF A SUSPENSION OF A GRADUATE
PROGRAM'S ABILITY TO ADMIT STUDENTS OR DEREGISTRATION PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION IN A MANNER AND TIMEFRAME AS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER IN
REGULATIONS. HOWEVER, A PROGRAM THAT HAS HAD ITS ABILITY TO ADMIT
STUDENTS SUSPENDED SHALL NOT ADMIT NEW STUDENTS WHILE AWAITING THE
COMMISSIONER'S DECISION ON ANY APPEAL. AN INSTITUTION WITH A DEREGIS-
TERED PROGRAM SHALL NOT ADMIT ANY NEW STUDENTS IN SUCH PROGRAM WHILE
AWAITING THE COMMISSIONER'S DECISION ON ITS APPLICATION FOR REGISTRA-
TION.
3. THE DEPARTMENT MAY ALSO, AS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER IN REGU-
LATIONS, CONDUCT EXPEDITED SUSPENSION AND REGISTRATION REVIEWS FOR GRAD-
UATE PROGRAMS, PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER.
S 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015, provided that the
provisions of section one of this act shall first apply to admissions
requirements for programs commencing instruction on or after July 1,
2016, and provided further that the authority of the board of regents to
adopt regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on
such effective date shall take effect immediately.
SUBPART C
Section 1. Section 3006 of the education law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3. REGISTRATION. A. COMMENCING WITH THE TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN--TWO
THOUSAND SEVENTEEN SCHOOL YEAR, ANY HOLDER OF A TEACHING CERTIFICATE IN
THE CLASSROOM TEACHING SERVICE, TEACHING ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE, OR
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE THAT IS VALID FOR LIFE AS PRESCRIBED
BY THE COMMISSIONER IN REGULATIONS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER WITH
THE DEPARTMENT EVERY FIVE YEARS IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS OF THE
COMMISSIONER. SUCH REGULATIONS SHALL PRESCRIBE THE DATE OR DATES BY
WHICH APPLICATIONS FOR INITIAL REGISTRATION MUST BE SUBMITTED AND MAY
PROVIDE FOR STAGGERED INITIAL REGISTRATION AND/OR ROLLING RE-REGISTRA-
TION SO THAT RE-REGISTRATIONS ARE DISTRIBUTED AS EQUALLY AS POSSIBLE
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND ACROSS MULTIPLE YEARS.
B. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL POST AN APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION ON ITS
WEBSITE. AN APPLICATION SHALL BE SUBMITTED FOR A REGISTRATION CERTIF-
ICATE. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT
SHALL RENEW THE REGISTRATION OF EACH CERTIFICATE HOLDER UPON RECEIPT OF
A PROPER APPLICATION ON A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT. ANY CERTIF-
ICATE HOLDER WHO FAILS TO REGISTER BY THE BEGINNING OF THE APPROPRIATE
REGISTRATION PERIOD MAY BE SUBJECT TO LATE FILING PENALTIES AS
PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER. NO CERTIFICATE HOLDER RESUMING PRACTICE
AFTER A LAPSE OF REGISTRATION SHALL BE PERMITTED TO PRACTICE WITHOUT
VERIFICATION OF RE-REGISTRATION.
C. ANY CERTIFICATE HOLDER WHO IS NOT ENGAGING IN THE PRACTICE OF HIS
OR HER PROFESSION IN THIS STATE AND DOES NOT DESIRE TO REGISTER SHALL SO
ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT. SUCH CERTIFICATE HOLDER SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO
PENALTIES AS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR FAILURE TO REGISTER AT
THE BEGINNING OF THE REGISTRATION PERIOD.
D. CERTIFICATE HOLDERS SHALL NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF ANY CHANGE OF
NAME OR MAILING ADDRESS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF SUCH CHANGE. WILLFUL FAIL-
URE TO REGISTER OR PROVIDE SUCH NOTICE WITHIN ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS OF
SUCH CHANGE MAY CONSTITUTE GROUNDS FOR MORAL CHARACTER REVIEW UNDER
SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER.
S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3006-a to
read as follows:
S 3006-A. REGISTRATION AND CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION
REQUIREMENTS FOR HOLDERS OF PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES IN THE CLASSROOM
TEACHING SERVICE, HOLDERS OF LEVEL III TEACHING ASSISTANT CERTIFICATES,
HOLDERS OF PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES IN THE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
SERVICE. 1. A. COMMENCING WITH THE TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN--TWO THOUSAND
SEVENTEEN SCHOOL YEAR, EACH HOLDER OF A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN THE
CLASSROOM TEACHING SERVICE, HOLDER OF A LEVEL III TEACHING ASSISTANT
CERTIFICATE AND HOLDER OF A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN THE EDUCATIONAL
LEADERSHIP SERVICE SHALL BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER EVERY FIVE YEARS WITH
THE DEPARTMENT TO PRACTICE IN THE STATE AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF THE CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.
B. ANY OF THE CERTIFIED INDIVIDUALS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A OF THIS
SUBDIVISION WHO DO NOT SATISFY THE CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCA-
TION REQUIREMENTS SHALL NOT PRACTICE UNTIL THEY HAVE MET SUCH REQUIRE-
MENTS AND HAVE BEEN ISSUED A REGISTRATION OR CONDITIONAL REGISTRATION
CERTIFICATE.
C. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTENT OF THIS SECTION, ADJUSTMENTS TO THE
CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION REQUIREMENT MAY BE GRANTED BY
THE DEPARTMENT FOR REASONS OF HEALTH CERTIFIED BY A HEALTH CARE PROVID-
ER, FOR EXTENDED ACTIVE DUTY WITH ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES, OR
FOR OTHER GOOD CAUSE ACCEPTABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT WHICH MAY PREVENT
COMPLIANCE.
D. ANY CERTIFICATE HOLDER WHO IS NOT PRACTICING AS A TEACHER, TEACHING
ASSISTANT OR EDUCATIONAL LEADER IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPER-
ATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN THIS STATE SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE
CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION REQUIREMENT UPON THE FILING OF A
WRITTEN STATEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT DECLARING SUCH STATUS. ANY HOLDER
OF A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN THE CLASSROOM TEACHING SERVICE, HOLDER
OF A LEVEL III TEACHING ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE AND HOLDER OF A PROFES-
SIONAL CERTIFICATE IN THE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP SERVICE WHO RESUMES
PRACTICE DURING THE FIVE-YEAR REGISTRATION PERIOD SHALL NOTIFY THE
DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO RESUMING PRACTICE AND SHALL MEET SUCH CONTINUING
TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AS PRESCRIBED IN REGULATIONS
OF THE COMMISSIONER.
2. A. DURING EACH FIVE-YEAR REGISTRATION PERIOD BEGINNING ON OR AFTER
JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN, AN APPLICANT FOR REGISTRATION SHALL
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE A MINIMUM OF ONE HUNDRED HOURS OF CONTINUING
TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION, AS DEFINED BY THE COMMISSIONER. THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE RIGOROUS STANDARDS FOR COURSES, PROGRAMS, AND
ACTIVITIES, THAT SHALL QUALIFY AS CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCA-
TION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, A PEER
REVIEW TEACHER, OR A PRINCIPAL ACTING AS AN INDEPENDENT TRAINED EVALU-
ATOR, CONDUCTING A CLASSROOM OBSERVATION AS PART OF THE TEACHER EVALU-
ATION SYSTEM PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE
MAY CREDIT SUCH TIME TOWARDS HIS OR HER CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER
EFFECTIVENESS REQUIREMENTS.
B. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL LIMIT THE ABILITY OF LOCAL SCHOOL
DISTRICTS TO AGREE PURSUANT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING TO ADDITIONAL HOURS
OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OR CONTINUING TEACHER OR LEADER EDUCATION
ABOVE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.
C. A CERTIFIED INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS NOT SATISFIED THE CONTINUING TEACHER
AND LEADER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS SHALL NOT BE ISSUED A FIVE-YEAR REGIS-
TRATION CERTIFICATE BY THE DEPARTMENT AND SHALL NOT PRACTICE UNLESS AND
UNTIL A REGISTRATION OR CONDITIONAL REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE IS ISSUED
AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS
SUBDIVISION, "CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS"
SHALL MEAN ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE TEACHER OR LEADER'S PEDA-
GOGICAL AND/OR LEADERSHIP SKILLS, TARGETED AT IMPROVING STUDENT PERFORM-
ANCE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FORMAL CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER
EDUCATION ACTIVITIES. SUCH ACTIVITIES SHALL PROMOTE THE PROFESSIONALIZA-
TION OF TEACHING AND BE CLOSELY ALIGNED TO DISTRICT GOALS FOR STUDENT
PERFORMANCE WHICH MEET THE STANDARDS PRESCRIBED BY REGULATIONS OF THE
COMMISSIONER. TO FULFILL THE CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION
REQUIREMENT, PROGRAMS MUST BE TAKEN FROM SPONSORS APPROVED BY THE
DEPARTMENT, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS,
PURSUANT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER.
3. THE DEPARTMENT, IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY ISSUE A CONDITIONAL REGIS-
TRATION TO A TEACHER, TEACHING ASSISTANT OR EDUCATIONAL LEADER IN A
SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN THIS
STATE WHO FAILS TO MEET THE CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION
REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION BUT WHO
AGREES TO MAKE UP ANY DEFICIENCIES AND TAKE ANY ADDITIONAL CONTINUING
TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION WHICH THE DEPARTMENT MAY REQUIRE. THE DURA-
TION OF SUCH CONDITIONAL REGISTRATION SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE DEPART-
MENT. ANY HOLDER OF A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN THE CLASSROOM TEACHING
SERVICE, HOLDER OF A LEVEL III TEACHING ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE OR HOLDER
OF A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN THE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP SERVICE AND
ANY OTHER CERTIFIED INDIVIDUAL REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSIONER TO REGISTER
EVERY FIVE YEARS WHO IS NOTIFIED OF THE DENIAL OF REGISTRATION FOR FAIL-
URE TO SUBMIT EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO THE DEPARTMENT, OF REQUIRED
CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION AND WHO PRACTICES WITHOUT SUCH
REGISTRATION, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO MORAL CHARACTER REVIEW UNDER SUBDIVI-
SION SEVEN OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER.
S 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015, provided that the
provisions of section one of this act shall first apply to admissions
requirements for programs commencing instruction on or after July 1,
2016, and provided further that the authority of the board of regents to
adopt regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on
such effective date shall take effect immediately.
SUBPART D
Section 1. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 1 of section 2509 of
the education law, paragraph (a) as amended by chapter 551 of the laws
of 1976, and paragraph (b) as amended by chapter 468 of the laws of
1975, are amended to read as follows:
(a) I. Teachers and all other members of the teaching staff[,]
APPOINTED PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN AND authorized by
section twenty-five hundred three of this article, shall be appointed by
the board of education, upon the recommendation of the superintendent of
schools, for a probationary period of three years, except that in the
case of a teacher who has rendered satisfactory service as a regular
substitute for a period of two years or as a seasonally licensed per
session teacher of swimming in day schools who has served in that capac-
ity for a period of two years and has been appointed to teach the same
subject in day schools on an annual salary, the probationary period
shall be limited to one year; provided, however, that in the case of a
teacher who has been appointed on tenure in another school district
within the state, the school district where currently employed, or a
board of cooperative educational services, and who was not dismissed
from such district or board as a result of charges brought pursuant to
subdivision one of section three thousand twenty-a of this chapter, the
probationary period shall not exceed two years. The service of a person
appointed to any of such positions may be discontinued at any time
during such probationary period, on the recommendation of the super-
intendent of schools, by a majority vote of the board of education. Each
person who is not to be recommended for appointment on tenure shall be
so notified by the superintendent of schools in writing not later than
sixty days immediately preceding the expiration of his probationary
period.
II. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW OR REGULATION TO THE
CONTRARY, TEACHERS AND ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING STAFF APPOINTED
ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN AND AUTHORIZED BY SECTION
TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE, SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS, FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS, EXCEPT THAT IN THE
CASE OF A TEACHER WHO HAS RENDERED SATISFACTORY SERVICE AS A REGULAR
SUBSTITUTE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND, IF A CLASSROOM TEACHER, HAS
RECEIVED COMPOSITE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATINGS IN
EACH OF THOSE YEARS, OR HAS RENDERED SATISFACTORY SERVICE AS A
SEASONALLY LICENSED PER SESSION TEACHER OF SWIMMING IN DAY SCHOOLS WHO
HAS SERVED IN THAT CAPACITY FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND HAS BEEN
APPOINTED TO TEACH THE SAME SUBJECT IN DAY SCHOOLS ON AN ANNUAL SALARY,
THE TEACHER SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF TWO YEARS;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE CASE OF A TEACHER WHO HAS BEEN APPOINTED
ON TENURE IN ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE STATE, THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT WHERE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED, OR A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES, AND WHO WAS NOT DISMISSED FROM SUCH DISTRICT OR BOARD AS A
RESULT OF CHARGES BROUGHT PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS CHAPTER,
THE TEACHER SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF THREE YEARS;
PROVIDED THAT THE TEACHER DEMONSTRATES THAT HE OR SHE RECEIVED AN ANNUAL
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATING PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOU-
SAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS CHAPTER IN HIS
OR HER FINAL YEAR OF SERVICE IN SUCH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD OF
COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. THE SERVICE OF A PERSON APPOINTED TO
ANY OF SUCH POSITIONS MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME DURING SUCH PROBA-
TIONARY PERIOD, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. EACH PERSON WHO IS NOT TO
BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPOINTMENT ON TENURE SHALL BE SO NOTIFIED BY THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IN WRITING NOT LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS IMME-
DIATELY PRECEDING THE EXPIRATION OF HIS/HER PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
(b) I. Administrators, directors, supervisors, principals and all
other members of the supervising staff, except associate, assistant and
other superintendents[,] APPOINTED PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
FIFTEEN AND authorized by section twenty-five hundred three of this
article, shall be appointed by the board of education, upon the recom-
mendation of the superintendent of schools for a probationary period of
three years. The service of a person appointed to any of such positions
may be discontinued at any time during the probationary period on the
recommendation of the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of
the board of education.
II. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW OR REGULATION TO THE
CONTRARY, ADMINISTRATORS, DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS, PRINCIPALS AND ALL
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SUPERVISING STAFF, EXCEPT ASSOCIATE, ASSISTANT AND
OTHER SUPERINTENDENTS, APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
FIFTEEN AND AUTHORIZED BY SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED THREE OF THIS
ARTICLE, SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, UPON THE RECOM-
MENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF
FOUR YEARS. THE SERVICE OF A PERSON APPOINTED TO ANY OF SUCH POSITIONS
MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME DURING THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD ON THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
S 2. Subdivision 2 of section 2509 of the education law, as amended by
section 6 of part A of chapter 57 of the laws of 2007, is amended to
read as follows:
2. A. At the expiration of the probationary term of any persons
appointed for such term PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, or
within six months prior thereto, the superintendent of schools shall
make a written report to the board of education recommending for
appointment on tenure those persons who have been found competent, effi-
cient and satisfactory[, consistent with any applicable rules of the
board of regents adopted pursuant to section three thousand twelve-b of
this chapter]. By a majority vote the board of education may then
appoint on tenure any or all of the persons recommended by the super-
intendent of schools. Such persons and all others employed in the teach-
ing service of the schools of such school district who have served the
full probationary period shall hold their respective positions during
good behavior and efficient and competent service, and shall not be
removable except for cause after a hearing as provided by section three
thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B of [such law] THIS
CHAPTER. Failure to maintain certification as required by this chapter
and the regulations of the commissioner [of education] shall constitute
cause for removal.
B. FOR PERSONS APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY TERM OF ANY PERSONS APPOINTED FOR
SUCH TERM, OR WITHIN SIX MONTHS PRIOR THERETO, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS SHALL MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION RECOMMEND-
ING FOR APPOINTMENT ON TENURE THOSE PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPE-
TENT, EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY AND IN THE CASE OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER
OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL, WHO HAVE RECEIVED ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
REVIEW RATINGS PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION
THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS CHAPTER, OF EITHER EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY
EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF
ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE; PROVIDED THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF THIS SECTION TO THE CONTRARY, WHEN A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL
RECEIVES AN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE RATING IN EACH YEAR OF HIS OR
HER PROBATIONARY SERVICE EXCEPT HE OR SHE RECEIVES AN INEFFECTIVE RATING
IN THE FINAL YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY PERIOD, SUCH TEACHER OR
PRINCIPAL SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE BUT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN
ITS DISCRETION, MAY EXTEND THE TEACHER'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD FOR AN
ADDITIONAL YEAR; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL
SUCCESSFULLY APPEALED SUCH INEFFECTIVE RATING, SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL
SHALL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE IF THE RATING RESULTING FROM
THE APPEAL ESTABLISHED THAT SUCH INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY
EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE PRECEDING FOUR YEARS AND WAS NOT
INEFFECTIVE IN THE FINAL YEAR. BY A MAJORITY VOTE, THE BOARD OF EDUCA-
TION MAY THEN APPOINT ON TENURE ANY OR ALL OF THE PERSONS RECOMMENDED BY
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY
PERIOD, THE CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL SHALL REMAIN IN
PROBATIONARY STATUS UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH SUCH
TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL HAS RECEIVED SUCH RATINGS OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY
EFFECTIVE FOR AT LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING SCHOOL YEARS EXCLU-
SIVE OF ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE AND SUBJECT TO THE TERMS HEREOF, DURING
WHICH TIME A BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL CONSIDER WHETHER TO GRANT TENURE
FOR THOSE CLASSROOM TEACHERS OR BUILDING PRINCIPALS WHO OTHERWISE HAVE
BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY. PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY GRANT TENURE CONTINGENT UPON A CLASSROOM
TEACHER'S OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL'S RECEIPT OF A MINIMUM RATING IN THE
FINAL YEAR OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF
THIS SECTION, AND IF SUCH CONTINGENCY IS NOT MET AFTER ALL APPEALS HAVE
BEEN EXHAUSTED, THE GRANT OF TENURE SHALL BE VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE AND
THE TEACHER'S OR PRINCIPAL'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD MAY BE EXTENDED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBDIVISION. SUCH PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED
FOR TENURE AND ALL OTHERS EMPLOYED IN THE TEACHING SERVICE OF THE
SCHOOLS OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHO HAVE SERVED THE FULL PROBATIONARY
PERIOD AS EXTENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL HOLD THEIR RESPEC-
TIVE POSITIONS DURING GOOD BEHAVIOR AND EFFICIENT AND COMPETENT SERVICE,
AND SHALL NOT BE REMOVABLE EXCEPT FOR CAUSE AFTER A HEARING AS PROVIDED
BY SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF
THIS CHAPTER. FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION AS REQUIRED BY THIS
CHAPTER AND THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONSTITUTE CAUSE
FOR REMOVAL.
S 3. Subdivisions 1, 5 and 6 of section 2573 of the education law,
subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 732 of the laws of 1971, paragraph
(a) of subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 640 of the laws of 1983,
paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 468 of the laws of
1975, subdivisions 5 and 6 as amended by section 7 of part A of chapter
57 of the laws of 2007, are amended to read as follows:
1. (a) I. Teachers and all other members of the teaching staff,
APPOINTED PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN AND authorized by
section twenty-five hundred fifty-four of this article, shall be
appointed by the board of education, upon the recommendation of the
superintendent of schools, for a probationary period of three years,
except that in the case of a teacher who has rendered satisfactory
service as a regular substitute for a period of two years or as a
seasonally licensed per session teacher of swimming in day schools who
has served in that capacity for a period of two years and has been
appointed to teach the same subject in day schools on an annual salary,
the probationary period shall be limited to one year; provided, however,
that in the case of a teacher who has been appointed on tenure in anoth-
er school district within the state, the school district where currently
employed, or a board of cooperative educational services, and who was
not dismissed from such district or board as a result of charges brought
pursuant to subdivision one of section three thousand twenty-a OR
SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B of this chapter, the probationary period
shall not exceed two years; provided, however, that in cities with a
population of one million or more, a teacher appointed under a newly
created license, for teachers of reading and of the emotionally hand-
icapped, to a position which the teacher has held for at least two years
prior to such appointment while serving on tenure in another license
area who was not dismissed as a result of charges brought pursuant to
subdivision one of section three thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-B of this chapter, the probationary period shall be one
year. The service of a person appointed to any of such positions may be
discontinued at any time during such probationary period, on the recom-
mendation of the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of the
board of education. Each person who is not to be recommended for
appointment on tenure shall be so notified by the superintendent of
schools in writing not later than sixty days immediately preceding the
expiration of his OR HER probationary period. In city school districts
having a population of four hundred thousand or more, persons with
licenses obtained as a result of examinations announced subsequent to
the twenty-second day of May, nineteen hundred sixty-nine appointed upon
conditions that all announced requirements for the position be fulfilled
within a specified period of time, shall not acquire tenure unless and
until such requirements have been completed within the time specified
for the fulfillment of such requirements, notwithstanding the expiration
of any probationary period. In all other city school districts subject
to the provisions of this article, failure to maintain certification as
required by this article and by the regulations of the commissioner [of
education] shall be cause for removal within the meaning of subdivision
five of this section.
II. TEACHERS AND ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING STAFF APPOINTED ON
OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN AND AUTHORIZED BY SECTION
TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR OF THIS ARTICLE, SHALL BE APPOINTED BY
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS, FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS, EXCEPT THAT IN THE
CASE OF A TEACHER WHO HAS RENDERED SATISFACTORY SERVICE AS A REGULAR
SUBSTITUTE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND, IF A CLASSROOM TEACHER, HAS
RECEIVED ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATINGS IN EACH OF THOSE
YEARS, OR HAS RENDERED SATISFACTORY SERVICE AS A SEASONALLY LICENSED PER
SESSION TEACHER OF SWIMMING IN DAY SCHOOLS WHO HAS SERVED IN THAT CAPAC-
ITY FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO TEACH THE SAME
SUBJECT IN DAY SCHOOLS ON AN ANNUAL SALARY, THE TEACHER SHALL BE
APPOINTED FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF TWO YEARS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT IN THE CASE OF A TEACHER WHO HAS BEEN APPOINTED ON TENURE IN ANOTH-
ER SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE STATE, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE CURRENTLY
EMPLOYED, OR A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AND WHO WAS
NOT DISMISSED FROM SUCH DISTRICT OR BOARD AS A RESULT OF CHARGES BROUGHT
PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR
SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS CHAPTER, THE TEACHER SHALL BE
APPOINTED FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF THREE YEARS; PROVIDED THAT, IN
THE CASE OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER, THE TEACHER DEMONSTRATES THAT HE OR SHE
RECEIVED AN ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATING PURSUANT TO
SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF
THIS CHAPTER IN HIS OR HER FINAL YEAR OF SERVICE IN SUCH OTHER SCHOOL
DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES; PROVIDED, HOWEV-
ER, THAT IN CITIES WITH A POPULATION OF ONE MILLION OR MORE, A TEACHER
APPOINTED UNDER A NEWLY CREATED LICENSE, FOR TEACHERS OF READING AND OF
THE EMOTIONALLY HANDICAPPED, TO A POSITION WHICH THE TEACHER HAS HELD
FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS PRIOR TO SUCH APPOINTMENT WHILE SERVING ON TENURE
IN ANOTHER LICENSE AREA WHO WAS NOT DISMISSED AS A RESULT OF CHARGES
BROUGHT PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A
OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS CHAPTER, THE TEACHER SHALL BE
APPOINTED FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF TWO YEARS. THE SERVICE OF A
PERSON APPOINTED TO ANY OF SUCH POSITIONS MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY
TIME DURING SUCH PROBATIONARY PERIOD, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
EACH PERSON WHO IS NOT TO BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPOINTMENT ON TENURE SHALL
BE SO NOTIFIED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IN WRITING NOT LATER
THAN SIXTY DAYS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EXPIRATION OF HIS OR HER
PROBATIONARY PERIOD. IN ALL CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS SUBJECT TO THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE, FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION AS
REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE AND BY THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER
SHALL BE CAUSE FOR REMOVAL WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBDIVISION FIVE OF
THIS SECTION.
(b) I. Administrators, directors, supervisors, principals and all
other members of the supervising staff, except executive directors,
associate, assistant, district and community superintendents and examin-
ers, APPOINTED PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN AND authorized
by section twenty-five hundred fifty-four of this article, shall be
appointed by the board of education, upon the recommendation of the
superintendent or chancellor of schools, for a probationary period of
three years. The service of a person appointed to any of such positions
may be discontinued at any time during the probationary period on the
recommendation of the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of
the board of education.
II. ADMINISTRATORS, DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS, PRINCIPALS AND ALL OTHER
MEMBERS OF THE SUPERVISING STAFF, EXCEPT EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS, ASSOCIATE,
ASSISTANT, DISTRICT AND COMMUNITY SUPERINTENDENTS AND EXAMINERS,
APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN AND AUTHORIZED BY
SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR OF THIS ARTICLE, SHALL BE
APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OR CHANCELLOR OF SCHOOLS, FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF
FOUR YEARS PROVIDED THAT SUCH PROBATIONARY PERIOD MAY BE EXTENDED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH (B) OF SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION. THE
SERVICE OF A PERSON APPOINTED TO ANY OF SUCH POSITIONS MAY BE DISCONTIN-
UED AT ANY TIME DURING THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCA-
TION.
5. (A) At the expiration of the probationary term of any persons
appointed for such term PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, the
superintendent of schools shall make a written report to the board of
education recommending for permanent appointment those persons who have
been found competent, efficient and satisfactory[, consistent with any
applicable rules of the board of regents adopted pursuant to section
three thousand twelve-b of this chapter]. Such persons and all others
employed in the teaching, service of the schools of a city, who have
served the full probationary period, shall hold their respective posi-
tions during good behavior and efficient and competent service, and
shall not be removable except for cause after a hearing as provided by
section three thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B of
this chapter.
(B) AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY TERM OF ANY PERSONS
APPOINTED FOR SUCH TERM ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS SHALL MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION RECOMMENDING FOR PERMANENT APPOINTMENT THOSE PERSONS WHO
HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY AND, IN THE CASE
OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL, WHO HAVE RECEIVED COMPOS-
ITE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATINGS PURSUANT TO SECTION
THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS CHAP-
TER, OF EITHER EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE
FOUR PRECEDING YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE; PROVIDED THAT,
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS SECTION TO THE CONTRARY,
WHEN A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL RECEIVES AN EFFECTIVE AND/OR HIGHLY EFFEC-
TIVE RATING IN EACH YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY SERVICE EXCEPT HE OR
SHE RECEIVES AN INEFFECTIVE RATING IN THE FINAL YEAR OF HIS OR HER
PROBATIONARY PERIOD, SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR
TENURE BUT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY EXTEND THE
TEACHER'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT IF SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SUCCESSFULLY APPEALED SUCH INEFFECTIVE
RATING, SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SHALL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIGIBLE FOR
TENURE IF THE RATING RESULTING FROM THE APPEAL ESTABLISHED THAT SUCH
INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF
THE PRECEDING FOUR YEARS. AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD,
THE CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL SHALL REMAIN IN PROBATIONARY
STATUS UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCI-
PAL HAS RECEIVED SUCH RATINGS OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FOR AT
LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING SCHOOL YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS
IN SERVICE AND SUBJECT TO THE TERMS HEREOF, DURING WHICH TIME A BOARD OF
EDUCATION SHALL CONSIDER WHETHER TO GRANT TENURE FOR THOSE CLASSROOM
TEACHERS OR BUILDING PRINCIPALS WHO OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT,
EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCA-
TION MAY GRANT TENURE CONTINGENT UPON A CLASSROOM TEACHER'S OR BUILDING
PRINCIPAL'S RECEIPT OF A MINIMUM RATING IN THE FINAL YEAR OF THE PROBA-
TIONARY PERIOD, PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, AND IF
SUCH CONTINGENCY IS NOT MET AFTER ALL APPEALS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED, THE
GRANT OF TENURE SHALL BE VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE AND THE TEACHER'S OR
PRINCIPAL'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD MAY BE EXTENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS
SUBDIVISION. SUCH PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR TENURE AND ALL
OTHERS EMPLOYED IN THE TEACHING SERVICE OF THE SCHOOLS OF SUCH SCHOOL
DISTRICT WHO HAVE SERVED THE FULL PROBATIONARY PERIOD AS EXTENDED PURSU-
ANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL HOLD THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS DURING
GOOD BEHAVIOR AND EFFICIENT AND COMPETENT SERVICE, AND SHALL NOT BE
REMOVABLE EXCEPT FOR CAUSE AFTER A HEARING AS PROVIDED BY SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS CHAPTER.
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION AS REQUIRED BY THIS CHAPTER AND THE
REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONSTITUTE CAUSE FOR REMOVAL.
6. (A) In a city having a population of four hundred thousand or more,
at the expiration of the probationary term of any persons appointed for
such term PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, the superintendent
of schools shall make a written report to the board of education recom-
mending for permanent appointment those persons who have been found
satisfactory[, consistent with any applicable rules of the board of
regents adopted pursuant to section three thousand twelve-b of this
chapter], and such board of education shall immediately thereafter issue
to such persons permanent certificates of appointment. Such persons and
all others employed in the teaching service of the schools of such city,
who have served the full probationary period shall receive permanent
certificates to teach issued to them by the certificating authority,
except as otherwise provided in subdivision ten-a of this section, and
shall hold their respective positions during good behavior and satisfac-
tory teaching service, and shall not be removable except for cause after
a hearing as provided by section three thousand twenty-a OR SECTION
THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B of this chapter.
(B) AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY TERM OF ANY PERSONS
APPOINTED FOR SUCH TERM ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS SHALL MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION RECOMMENDING FOR PERMANENT APPOINTMENT THOSE PERSONS WHO
HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY AND, IN THE CASE
OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL, WHO HAVE RECEIVED COMPOS-
ITE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATINGS PURSUANT TO SECTION
THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS CHAP-
TER, OF EITHER EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE
FOUR PRECEDING YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE; PROVIDED THAT,
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS SECTION TO THE CONTRARY,
WHEN A TEACHER RECEIVES AN EFFECTIVE AND/OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE RATING IN
EACH YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY SERVICE EXCEPT HE OR SHE RECEIVES
AN INEFFECTIVE RATING IN THE FINAL YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY PERI-
OD, SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE BUT THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY EXTEND THE TEACHER'S PROBA-
TIONARY PERIOD FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF SUCH
TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SUCCESSFULLY APPEALED SUCH INEFFECTIVE RATING, SUCH
TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SHALL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE IF THE
RATING RESULTING FROM THE APPEAL ESTABLISHED THAT SUCH INDIVIDUAL HAS
BEEN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE PRECEDING
FOUR YEARS AND WAS NOT INEFFECTIVE IN THE FINAL YEAR. AT THE EXPIRATION
OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, THE CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL
SHALL REMAIN IN PROBATIONARY STATUS UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN
WHICH SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL HAS RECEIVED SUCH RATINGS OF EFFECTIVE
OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FOR AT LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING SCHOOL
YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE AND SUBJECT TO THE TERMS HERE-
OF, DURING WHICH TIME A BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL CONSIDER WHETHER TO
GRANT TENURE FOR THOSE CLASSROOM TEACHERS OR BUILDING PRINCIPALS WHO
OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY.
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY GRANT TENURE CONTIN-
GENT UPON A CLASSROOM TEACHER'S OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL'S RECEIPT OF A
MINIMUM RATING IN THE FINAL YEAR OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, PURSUANT TO
THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, AND IF SUCH CONTINGENCY IS NOT MET
AFTER ALL APPEALS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED, THE GRANT OF TENURE SHALL BE VOID
AND UNENFORCEABLE AND THE TEACHER'S OR PRINCIPAL'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD
MAY BE EXTENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBDIVISION. SUCH PERSONS WHO
HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR TENURE AND ALL OTHERS EMPLOYED IN THE TEACHING
SERVICE OF THE SCHOOLS OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHO HAVE SERVED THE FULL
PROBATIONARY PERIOD AS EXTENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL HOLD
THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS DURING GOOD BEHAVIOR AND EFFICIENT AND COMPE-
TENT SERVICE, AND SHALL NOT BE REMOVABLE EXCEPT FOR CAUSE AFTER A HEAR-
ING AS PROVIDED BY SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS CHAPTER. FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION AS
REQUIRED BY THIS CHAPTER AND THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
CONSTITUTE CAUSE FOR REMOVAL.
S 4. Section 3012 of the education law, the section heading as amended
by chapter 358 of the laws of 1978, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter
442 of the laws of 1980, paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 as amended by
chapter 737 of the laws of 1992, subdivision 2 as amended by section 8
of part A of chapter 57 of the laws of 2007, subdivision 3 as added by
chapter 859 of the laws of 1955 and as renumbered by chapter 717 of the
laws of 1970, is amended to read as follows:
S 3012. Tenure: certain school districts. 1. (a) I. Teachers and all
other members of the teaching staff of school districts, including
common school districts and/or school districts employing fewer than
eight teachers, other than city school districts, WHO ARE APPOINTED
PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, shall be appointed by the
board of education, or the trustees of common school districts, upon the
recommendation of the superintendent of schools, for a probationary
period of three years, except that in the case of a teacher who has
rendered satisfactory service as a regular substitute for a period of
two years or as a seasonally licensed per session teacher of swimming in
day schools who has served in that capacity for a period of two years
and has been appointed to teach the same subject in day schools, on an
annual salary, the probationary period shall be limited to one year;
provided, however, that in the case of a teacher who has been appointed
on tenure in another school district within the state, the school
district where currently employed, or a board of cooperative educational
services, and who was not dismissed from such district or board as a
result of charges brought pursuant to subdivision one of section three
thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B of this [chapter]
ARTICLE, the probationary period shall not exceed two years. The service
of a person appointed to any of such positions may be discontinued at
any time during such probationary period, on the recommendation of the
superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of the board of education
or the trustees of a common school district.
II. TEACHERS AND ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING STAFF OF SCHOOL
DISTRICTS, INCLUDING COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND/OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS
EMPLOYING FEWER THAN EIGHT TEACHERS, OTHER THAN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS,
WHO ARE APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, SHALL BE
APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, OR THE TRUSTEES OF COMMON SCHOOL
DISTRICTS, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, FOR
A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS, EXCEPT THAT IN THE CASE OF A TEACH-
ER WHO HAS RENDERED SATISFACTORY SERVICE AS A REGULAR SUBSTITUTE FOR A
PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND, IF A CLASSROOM TEACHER, HAS RECEIVED ANNUAL
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATINGS IN EACH OF THOSE YEARS, OR HAS
RENDERED SATISFACTORY SERVICE AS A SEASONALLY LICENSED PER SESSION
TEACHER OF SWIMMING IN DAY SCHOOLS WHO HAS SERVED IN THAT CAPACITY FOR A
PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO TEACH THE SAME SUBJECT IN
DAY SCHOOLS, ON AN ANNUAL SALARY, THE TEACHER SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A
PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF TWO YEARS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE CASE OF
A TEACHER WHO HAS BEEN APPOINTED ON TENURE IN ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT
WITHIN THE STATE, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED, OR A
BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AND WHO WAS NOT DISMISSED
FROM SUCH DISTRICT OR BOARD AS A RESULT OF CHARGES BROUGHT PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS ARTICLE, THE TEACHER SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A
PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF THREE YEARS; PROVIDED THAT, IN THE CASE OF A
CLASSROOM TEACHER, THE TEACHER DEMONSTRATES THAT HE OR SHE RECEIVED AN
ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATING PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS CHAPTER IN
HIS OR HER FINAL YEAR OF SERVICE IN SUCH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD
OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. THE SERVICE OF A PERSON APPOINTED
TO ANY OF SUCH POSITIONS MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME DURING SUCH
PROBATIONARY PERIOD, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OR THE TRUSTEES OF
A COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICT.
(b) I. Principals, administrators, supervisors and all other members
of the supervising staff of school districts, including common school
districts and/or school districts employing fewer than eight teachers,
other than city school districts, WHO ARE APPOINTED PRIOR TO JULY FIRST,
TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, shall be appointed by the board of education, or
the trustees of a common school district, upon the recommendation of the
superintendent of schools for a probationary period of three years. The
service of a person appointed to any of such positions may be discontin-
ued at any time during the probationary period on the recommendation of
the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of the board of educa-
tion or the trustees of a common school district.
II. PRINCIPALS, ADMINISTRATORS, SUPERVISORS AND ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF
THE SUPERVISING STAFF OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS, INCLUDING COMMON SCHOOL
DISTRICTS AND/OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS EMPLOYING FEWER THAN EIGHT TEACHERS,
OTHER THAN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WHO ARE APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JULY
FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCA-
TION, OR THE TRUSTEES OF A COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICT, UPON THE RECOMMENDA-
TION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF FOUR
YEARS. THE SERVICE OF A PERSON APPOINTED TO ANY OF SUCH POSITIONS MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME DURING THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD ON THE RECOMMEN-
DATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION OR THE TRUSTEES OF A COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICT.
(c) Any person previously appointed to tenure or a probationary period
pursuant to the provisions of former section three thousand thirteen of
this [chapter] ARTICLE shall continue to hold such position and be
governed by the provisions of this section notwithstanding any contrary
provision of law.
2. (A) At the expiration of the probationary term of a person
appointed for such term PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
subject to the conditions of this section, the superintendent of schools
shall make a written report to the board of education or the trustees of
a common school district recommending for appointment on tenure those
persons who have been found competent, efficient and satisfactory[,
consistent with any applicable rules of the board of regents adopted
pursuant to section three thousand twelve-b of this article]. Such
persons, and all others employed in the teaching service of the schools
of such union free school district, common school district and/or school
district employing fewer than eight teachers, who have served the proba-
tionary period as provided in this section, shall hold their respective
positions during good behavior and efficient and competent service, and
shall not be removed except for any of the following causes, after a
hearing, as provided by section three thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-B of [such law] THIS ARTICLE: (a) insubordination,
immoral character or conduct unbecoming a teacher; (b) inefficiency,
incompetency, physical or mental disability, or neglect of duty; (c)
failure to maintain certification as required by this chapter and by the
regulations of the commissioner. Each person who is not to be recom-
mended for appointment on tenure, shall be so notified by the super-
intendent of schools in writing not later than sixty days immediately
preceding the expiration of his probationary period.
(B) AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY TERM OF A PERSON APPOINTED
FOR SUCH TERM ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, SUBJECT TO
THE CONDITIONS OF THIS SECTION, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS SHALL MAKE
A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OR THE TRUSTEES OF A COMMON
SCHOOL DISTRICT RECOMMENDING FOR APPOINTMENT ON TENURE THOSE PERSONS WHO
HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY AND, IN THE CASE
OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL, WHO HAVE RECEIVED COMPOS-
ITE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATINGS PURSUANT TO SECTION
THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTI-
CLE, OF EITHER EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE
FOUR PRECEDING YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE; PROVIDED THAT,
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS SECTION TO THE CONTRARY,
WHEN A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL RECEIVES AN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
RATING IN EACH YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY SERVICE EXCEPT HE OR SHE
RECEIVES AN INEFFECTIVE RATING IN THE FINAL YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBA-
TIONARY PERIOD, SUCH TEACHER SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE BUT THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY EXTEND THE TEACHER'S PROBA-
TIONARY PERIOD FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF SUCH
TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SUCCESSFULLY APPEALED SUCH INEFFECTIVE RATING, SUCH
TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SHALL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE IF THE
RATING RESULTING FROM THE APPEAL ESTABLISHED THAT SUCH INDIVIDUAL HAS
BEEN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE PRECEDING
FOUR YEARS AND WAS NOT INEFFECTIVE IN THE FINAL YEAR. AT THE EXPIRATION
OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, THE CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL
SHALL REMAIN IN PROBATIONARY STATUS UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN
WHICH SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL HAS RECEIVED SUCH RATINGS OF EFFECTIVE
OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FOR AT LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING SCHOOL
YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE, AND SUBJECT TO THE TERMS
HEREOF, DURING WHICH TIME THE TRUSTEES OR BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL
CONSIDER WHETHER TO GRANT TENURE FOR THOSE CLASSROOM TEACHERS OR BUILD-
ING PRINCIPALS WHO OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND
SATISFACTORY. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE TRUSTEES OR BOARD OF EDUCATION
MAY GRANT TENURE CONTINGENT UPON A CLASSROOM TEACHER'S OR BUILDING PRIN-
CIPAL'S RECEIPT OF A MINIMUM RATING IN THE FINAL YEAR OF THE PROBATION-
ARY PERIOD, PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, AND IF SUCH
CONTINGENCY IS NOT MET AFTER ALL APPEALS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED, THE GRANT
OF TENURE SHALL BE VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE AND THE TEACHER'S OR PRINCI-
PAL'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD MAY BE EXTENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBDI-
VISION. SUCH PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR TENURE AND ALL OTHERS
EMPLOYED IN THE TEACHING SERVICE OF THE SCHOOLS OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT
WHO HAVE SERVED THE FULL PROBATIONARY PERIOD AS EXTENDED PURSUANT TO
THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL HOLD THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS DURING GOOD
BEHAVIOR AND EFFICIENT AND COMPETENT SERVICE, AND SHALL NOT BE REMOVABLE
EXCEPT FOR CAUSE AFTER A HEARING AS PROVIDED BY SECTION THREE THOUSAND
TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS ARTICLE. FAILURE TO
MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION AS REQUIRED BY THIS CHAPTER AND THE REGULATIONS
OF THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONSTITUTE CAUSE FOR REMOVAL.
3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section no period in
any school year for which there is no required service and/or for which
no compensation is provided shall in any event constitute a break or
suspension of probationary period or continuity of tenure rights of any
of the persons hereinabove described.
S 5. Section 3014 of the education law, as added by chapter 583 of the
laws of 1955, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 551 of the laws of
1976, subdivision 2 as amended by section 10 of part A of chapter 57 of
the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
S 3014. Tenure: boards of cooperative educational services. 1. (A)
Administrative assistants, supervisors, teachers and all other members
of the teaching and supervising staff of the board of cooperative educa-
tional services APPOINTED PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
shall be appointed by a majority vote of the board of cooperative educa-
tional services upon the recommendation of the district superintendent
of schools for a probationary period of not to exceed three years;
provided, however, that in the case of a teacher who has been appointed
on tenure in a school district within the state, the board of cooper-
ative educational services where currently employed, or another board of
cooperative educational services, and who was not dismissed from such
district or board as a result of charges brought pursuant to subdivision
one of section three thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWEN-
TY-B of this [chapter] ARTICLE, the probationary period shall not exceed
two years. Services of a person so appointed to any such positions may
be discontinued at any time during such probationary period, upon the
recommendation of the district superintendent, by a majority vote of the
board of cooperative educational services.
(B) ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS, SUPERVISORS, TEACHERS AND ALL OTHER
MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING AND SUPERVISING STAFF OF THE BOARD OF COOPER-
ATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOU-
SAND FIFTEEN, SHALL BE APPOINTED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF
COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DISTRICT
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF NOT TO EXCEED
FOUR YEARS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE CASE OF A TEACHER WHO HAS
BEEN APPOINTED ON TENURE IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE STATE, THE
BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WHERE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED, OR
ANOTHER BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AND WHO WAS NOT
DISMISSED FROM SUCH DISTRICT OR BOARD AS A RESULT OF CHARGES BROUGHT
PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND
TWENTY-B OF THIS ARTICLE, THE TEACHER SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A PROBA-
TIONARY PERIOD OF THREE YEARS; PROVIDED THAT, IN THE CASE OF A CLASSROOM
TEACHER, THE TEACHER DEMONSTRATES THAT HE OR SHE RECEIVED A COMPOSITE
ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATING PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS CHAPTER OF EITHER
EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN HIS OR HER FINAL YEAR OF SERVICE IN
SUCH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.
SERVICES OF A PERSON SO APPOINTED TO ANY SUCH POSITIONS MAY BE DISCON-
TINUED AT ANY TIME DURING SUCH PROBATIONARY PERIOD, UPON THE RECOMMENDA-
TION OF THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF
COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.
2. (A) On or before the expiration of the probationary term of a
person appointed for such term PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
FIFTEEN, the district superintendent of schools shall make a written
report to the board of cooperative educational services recommending for
appointment on tenure persons who have been found competent, efficient
and satisfactory[, consistent with any applicable rules of the board of
regents adopted pursuant to section three thousand twelve-b of this
article]. Such persons shall hold their respective positions during good
behavior and competent and efficient service and shall not be removed
except for any of the following causes, after a hearing, as provided by
section three thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B of
[such law] THIS ARTICLE: [(a)] (I) Insubordination, immoral character or
conduct unbecoming a teacher; [(b)] (II) Inefficiency, incompetency,
[physical or mental disability] or neglect of duty; [(c)] (III) Failure
to maintain certification as required by this chapter and by the regu-
lations of the commissioner. Each person who is not to be so recommended
for appointment on tenure shall be so notified in writing by the
district superintendent not later than sixty days immediately preceding
the expiration of his OR HER probationary period.
(B) ON OR BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY TERM OF A PERSON
APPOINTED FOR SUCH TERM ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS SHALL MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT TO
THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES RECOMMENDING FOR APPOINT-
MENT ON TENURE PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND
SATISFACTORY AND, IN THE CASE OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCI-
PAL, WHO HAVE RECEIVED COMPOSITE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW
RATINGS PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE, OF EITHER EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFEC-
TIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY
BREAKS IN SERVICE; PROVIDED THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF
THIS SECTION TO THE CONTRARY, WHEN A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL RECEIVES AN
EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE RATING IN EACH YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBA-
TIONARY SERVICE EXCEPT HE OR SHE RECEIVES AN INEFFECTIVE RATING IN THE
FINAL YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY PERIOD, SUCH TEACHER SHALL NOT BE
ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE BUT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY
EXTEND THE TEACHER'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER THAT IF SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SUCCESSFULLY
APPEALED SUCH INEFFECTIVE RATING, SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SHALL IMME-
DIATELY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE IF THE RATING RESULTING FROM THE APPEAL
ESTABLISHED THAT SUCH INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE PRECEDING FOUR YEARS AND WAS NOT INEFFECTIVE
IN THE FINAL YEAR. AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, THE
CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL SHALL REMAIN IN PROBATIONARY
STATUS UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCI-
PAL HAS RECEIVED SUCH RATINGS OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FOR AT
LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING SCHOOL YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS
IN SERVICE, DURING WHICH TIME A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES SHALL CONSIDER WHETHER TO GRANT TENURE FOR THOSE CLASSROOM
TEACHERS OR BUILDING PRINCIPALS WHO OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT,
EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE BOARD OF COOPER-
ATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES MAY GRANT TENURE CONTINGENT UPON A CLASSROOM
TEACHER'S OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL'S RECEIPT OF A MINIMUM RATING IN THE
FINAL YEAR OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF
THIS SECTION, AND IF SUCH CONTINGENCY IS NOT MET AFTER ALL APPEALS HAVE
BEEN EXHAUSTED, THE GRANT OF TENURE SHALL BE VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE AND
THE TEACHER'S OR PRINCIPAL'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD MAY BE EXTENDED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBDIVISION. SUCH PERSONS SHALL HOLD THEIR RESPEC-
TIVE POSITIONS DURING GOOD BEHAVIOR AND COMPETENT AND EFFICIENT SERVICE
AND SHALL NOT BE REMOVED EXCEPT FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CAUSES, AFTER A
HEARING, AS PROVIDED BY SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS ARTICLE: (I) INSUBORDINATION, IMMORAL CHARAC-
TER OR CONDUCT UNBECOMING A TEACHER; (II) INEFFICIENCY, INCOMPETENCY, OR
NEGLECT OF DUTY; (III) FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION AS REQUIRED BY
THIS CHAPTER AND BY THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER. EACH PERSON WHO
IS NOT TO BE SO RECOMMENDED FOR APPOINTMENT ON TENURE SHALL BE SO NOTI-
FIED IN WRITING BY THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT NOT LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EXPIRATION OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
S 6. Subdivision 1 of section 3012-c of the education law, as amended
by chapter 21 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule or regulation to
the contrary, the annual professional performance reviews of all class-
room teachers and building principals employed by school districts or
boards of cooperative educational services shall be conducted in accord-
ance with the provisions of this section. Such performance reviews which
are conducted on or after July first, two thousand eleven, or on or
after the date specified in paragraph c of subdivision two of this
section where applicable, shall include measures of student achievement
and be conducted in accordance with this section. Such annual profes-
sional performance reviews shall be a significant factor for employment
decisions including but not limited to, promotion, retention, tenure
determination, termination, and supplemental compensation, which deci-
sions are to be made in accordance with locally developed procedures
negotiated pursuant to the requirements of article fourteen of the civil
service law where applicable. Provided, however, that nothing in this
section shall be construed to affect the UNFETTERED statutory right of a
school district or board of cooperative educational services to termi-
nate a probationary teacher or principal for ANY statutorily and consti-
tutionally permissible reasons [other than the performance of the teach-
er or principal in the classroom or school], including but not limited
to misconduct AND UNTIL A TENURE DECISION IS MADE, THE PERFORMANCE OF
THE TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL IN THE CLASSROOM. Such performance reviews
shall also be a significant factor in teacher and principal development,
including but not limited to, coaching, induction support and differen-
tiated professional development, which are to be locally established in
accordance with procedures negotiated pursuant to the requirements of
article fourteen of the civil service law.
S 7. Paragraph b of subdivision 5 of section 3012-c of the education
law, as added by chapter 21 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as
follows:
b. Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter or diminish the
authority of the governing body of a school district or board of cooper-
ative educational services to grant or deny tenure to or terminate
probationary teachers or probationary building principals during the
pendency of an appeal pursuant to this section for statutorily and
constitutionally permissible reasons [other than] INCLUDING the teach-
er's or principal's performance that is the subject of the appeal.
S 8. This act shall take effect immediately.
SUBPART E
Section 1. Authority of the commissioner. Notwithstanding any
provisions of section 3012-c of the education law to the contrary, the
commissioner of the state education department, is hereby authorized and
directed to, subject to the provisions of section 207 of the education
law, adopt regulations of the commissioner and guidelines no later than
June 30, 2015, to implement a statewide annual teacher and principal
evaluation system in New York state pursuant to section 3012-d of the
education law, as added by this act, after consulting with experts and
practitioners in the fields of education, economics and psychometrics
and taking into consideration the parameters set forth in the letter
from the Chancellor of the Board of Regents and acting commissioner
dated December 31, 2014, to the New York State Director of State Oper-
ations. The commissioner shall also establish a process to accept public
comments and recommendations regarding the adoption of regulations
pursuant to section 3012-d of the education law and consult in writing
with the Secretary of the United States Department of Education on
weights, measures and ranking of evaluation categories and subcomponents
and shall release the response from the Secretary upon receipt thereof
but in any event prior to publication of the regulations hereunder.
S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3012-d to
read as follows:
S 3012-D. ANNUAL TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL EVALUATIONS. 1. GENERAL
PROVISIONS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, RULE OR REGU-
LATION TO THE CONTRARY, THE ANNUAL TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL EVALUATIONS
(HEREINAFTER, EVALUATIONS) IMPLEMENTED BY DISTRICTS SHALL BE CONDUCTED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. SUCH ANNUAL EVALU-
ATIONS SHALL BE A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR FOR EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROMOTION, RETENTION, TENURE DETERMINATION, TERMI-
NATION, AND SUPPLEMENTAL COMPENSATION. SUCH EVALUATIONS SHALL ALSO BE A
SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO COACHING, INDUCTION SUPPORT, AND DIFFERENTIATED PROFES-
SIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
2. DEFINITIONS.
A. "DISTRICT" SHALL MEAN SCHOOL DISTRICT AND/OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, EXCEPT THAT FOR PURPOSES OF SUBDIVISION ELEVEN OF
THIS SECTION IT SHALL ONLY MEAN A SCHOOL DISTRICT;
B. "PRINCIPAL" SHALL MEAN A BUILDING PRINCIPAL OR AN ADMINISTRATOR IN
CHARGE OF AN INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM OF A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES;
C. "STUDENT GROWTH" SHALL MEAN THE CHANGE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT FOR
AN INDIVIDUAL STUDENT BETWEEN TWO OR MORE POINTS IN TIME.
D. "STATE-DESIGNED SUPPLEMENTAL ASSESSMENT" SHALL MEAN A SELECTION OF
STATE TESTS OR ASSESSMENTS DEVELOPED OR DESIGNED BY THE STATE EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT, OR THAT THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PURCHASED OR ACQUIRED
FROM (I) ANOTHER STATE; (II) AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION; OR
(III) A COMMERCIAL OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITY, PROVIDED THAT SUCH ENTITY
MUST BE OBJECTIVE AND MAY NOT HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR APPEARANCE
OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST; SUCH DEFINITION MAY INCLUDE TESTS OR ASSESS-
MENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY DESIGNED OR ACQUIRED BY LOCAL DISTRICTS,
BUT ONLY IF THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SIGNIFICANTLY MODIFIES GROWTH
TARGETS OR SCORING BANDS FOR SUCH TESTS OR ASSESSMENTS OR OTHERWISE
ADAPTS THE TEST OR ASSESSMENT TO THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S
REQUIREMENTS.
3. RATINGS. THE ANNUAL EVALUATIONS CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
SHALL RATE TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL EFFECTIVENESS USING THE FOLLOWING CATE-
GORIES: HIGHLY EFFECTIVE OR "H", EFFECTIVE OR "E", DEVELOPING OR "D" AND
INEFFECTIVE OR "I".
4. CATEGORIES. THE ANNUAL EVALUATION SYSTEM SHALL CONSIST OF MULTIPLE
MEASURES IN TWO CATEGORIES: STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND TEACHER OBSERVA-
TIONS.
A. STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY. SUCH CATEGORY SHALL HAVE AT LEAST ONE
SUBCOMPONENT AND AN OPTIONAL SECOND SUBCOMPONENT AS FOLLOWS:
(1) FOR THE FIRST SUBCOMPONENT, (A) FOR A TEACHER WHOSE COURSE ENDS IN
A STATE-CREATED OR ADMINISTERED TEST FOR WHICH THERE IS A STATE-PROVIDED
GROWTH MODEL, SUCH TEACHER SHALL HAVE A STATE-PROVIDED GROWTH SCORE
BASED ON SUCH MODEL; AND (B) FOR A TEACHER WHOSE COURSE DOES NOT END IN
A STATE-CREATED OR ADMINISTERED TEST SUCH TEACHER SHALL HAVE A STUDENT
LEARNING OBJECTIVE (SLO) CONSISTENT WITH A GOAL-SETTING PROCESS DETER-
MINED OR DEVELOPED BY THE COMMISSIONER, THAT RESULTS IN A STUDENT GROWTH
SCORE; PROVIDED THAT, FOR ANY TEACHER WHOSE COURSE ENDS IN A STATE-
CREATED OR ADMINISTERED ASSESSMENT FOR WHICH THERE IS NO STATE-PROVIDED
GROWTH MODEL, SUCH ASSESSMENT MUST BE USED AS THE UNDERLYING ASSESSMENT
FOR SUCH SLO;
(2) FOR THE OPTIONAL SECOND SUBCOMPONENT, A DISTRICT MAY LOCALLY
SELECT A SECOND MEASURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBPARAGRAPH. SUCH
SECOND MEASURE SHALL APPLY IN A CONSISTENT MANNER, TO THE EXTENT PRACTI-
CABLE, ACROSS THE DISTRICT AND BE EITHER: (A) A SECOND STATE-PROVIDED
GROWTH SCORE ON A STATE-CREATED OR ADMINISTERED TEST UNDER CLAUSE (A) OF
SUBPARAGRAPH ONE OF THIS PARAGRAPH, OR (B) A GROWTH SCORE BASED ON A
STATE-DESIGNED SUPPLEMENTAL ASSESSMENT, CALCULATED USING A STATE-PROVID-
ED OR APPROVED GROWTH MODEL. THE OPTIONAL SECOND SUBCOMPONENT SHALL
PROVIDE OPTIONS FOR MULTIPLE ASSESSMENT MEASURES THAT ARE ALIGNED TO
EXISTING CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL BEST PRACTICES AND TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION
THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE TESTING REDUCTION REPORT AS REQUIRED BY
SECTION ONE OF SUBPART F OF THE CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF TWO THOUSAND
FIFTEEN WHICH ADDED THIS SECTION REGARDING THE REDUCTION OF UNNECESSARY
ADDITIONAL TESTING.
THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DETERMINE THE WEIGHTS AND SCORING RANGES FOR
THE SUBCOMPONENT OR SUBCOMPONENTS OF THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY
THAT SHALL RESULT IN A COMBINED CATEGORY RATING. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
ALSO SET PARAMETERS FOR APPROPRIATE TARGETS FOR STUDENT GROWTH FOR BOTH
SUBCOMPONENTS, AND THE DEPARTMENT MUST AFFIRMATIVELY APPROVE AND SHALL
HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DISAPPROVE OR REQUIRE MODIFICATIONS OF DISTRICT
PLANS THAT DO NOT SET APPROPRIATE GROWTH TARGETS, INCLUDING AFTER
INITIAL APPROVAL. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL SET SUCH WEIGHTS AND PARAMETERS
CONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS CONTAINED HEREIN.
B. TEACHER OBSERVATIONS CATEGORY. THE OBSERVATIONS CATEGORY FOR TEACH-
ERS SHALL BE BASED ON A STATE-APPROVED RUBRIC AND SHALL INCLUDE UP TO
THREE SUBCOMPONENTS. SUCH CATEGORY MUST INCLUDE: (1) A SUBCOMPONENT
BASED ON CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS CONDUCTED BY A PRINCIPAL OR OTHER
TRAINED ADMINISTRATOR AND MUST ALSO INCLUDE (2) A SUBCOMPONENT BASED ON
CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS BY AN IMPARTIAL INDEPENDENT TRAINED EVALUATOR OR
EVALUATORS SELECTED BY THE DISTRICT. AN INDEPENDENT TRAINED EVALUATOR
MAY BE EMPLOYED WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT NOT THE SAME SCHOOL
BUILDING, AS THE TEACHER BEING EVALUATED. SUCH CATEGORY MAY ALSO INCLUDE
A SUBCOMPONENT BASED ON CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS CONDUCTED BY A TRAINED
PEER TEACHER RATED EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FROM THE SAME SCHOOL OR
FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT.
THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DETERMINE THE WEIGHTS, AND/OR WEIGHTING OPTIONS
AND SCORING RANGES FOR THE SUBCOMPONENTS OF THE OBSERVATIONS CATEGORY
THAT RESULT IN A COMBINED CATEGORY RATING. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ALSO
DETERMINE THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF OBSERVATIONS TO BE CONDUCTED ANNUALLY,
INCLUDING FREQUENCY AND DURATION, AND ANY PARAMETERS THEREFOR. THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL SET SUCH WEIGHTS AND SCORES CONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS
CONTAINED HEREIN.
5. RATING DETERMINATION. THE OVERALL RATING DETERMINATION SHALL BE
DETERMINED ACCORDING TO A METHODOLOGY AS FOLLOWS:
A. THE FOLLOWING RULES SHALL APPLY: A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL WHO IS (1)
RATED USING TWO SUBCOMPONENTS IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY AND
RECEIVES A RATING OF INEFFECTIVE IN SUCH CATEGORY SHALL BE RATED INEF-
FECTIVE OVERALL; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF THE MEASURE USED IN THE
SECOND SUBCOMPONENT IS A STATE-PROVIDED GROWTH SCORE ON A STATE-CREATED
OR ADMINISTERED TEST PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (A) OF SUBPARAGRAPH ONE OF PARA-
GRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION, A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL WHO
RECEIVES A RATING OF INEFFECTIVE IN SUCH CATEGORY SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE
TO RECEIVE A RATING OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE OVERALL; (2) RATED
USING ONLY THE STATE MEASURE SUBCOMPONENT IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE
CATEGORY AND RECEIVES A RATING OF INEFFECTIVE IN SUCH CATEGORY SHALL NOT
BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A RATING OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE OVER-
ALL; AND (3) RATED INEFFECTIVE IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATIONS CATEGORY
SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A RATING OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFEC-
TIVE OVERALL.
B. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH A OF THIS SUBDIVISION, A
TEACHER'S COMPOSITE SCORE SHALL BE DETERMINED AS FOLLOWS:
(1) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN H IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN H IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE H;
(2) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN H IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN E IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE H;
(3) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN H IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND A D IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE E;
(4) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN H IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN I IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE D;
(5) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN E IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN H IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE H;
(6) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN E IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN E IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE E;
(7) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN E IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND A D IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE E;
(8) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN E IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN I IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE D;
(9) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES A D IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY, AND
AN H IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE SCORE
SHALL BE E;
(10) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES A D IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN E IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE E;
(11) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES A D IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND A D IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE D;
(12) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES A D IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN I IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE I;
(13) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN I IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN H IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE D;
(14) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN I IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN E IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE D;
(15) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN I IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND A D IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE I;
(16) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN I IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN I IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE I.
6. PROHIBITED ELEMENTS. THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS SHALL NO LONGER BE
ELIGIBLE TO BE USED IN ANY EVALUATION SUBCOMPONENT PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION:
A. EVIDENCE OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE DERIVED FROM LESSON
PLANS, OTHER ARTIFACTS OF TEACHER PRACTICE, AND STUDENT PORTFOLIOS,
EXCEPT FOR STUDENT PORTFOLIOS MEASURED BY A STATE-APPROVED RUBRIC WHERE
PERMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT;
B. USE OF AN INSTRUMENT FOR PARENT OR STUDENT FEEDBACK;
C. USE OF PROFESSIONAL GOAL-SETTING AS EVIDENCE OF TEACHER OR PRINCI-
PAL EFFECTIVENESS;
D. ANY DISTRICT OR REGIONALLY-DEVELOPED ASSESSMENT THAT HAS NOT BEEN
APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT; AND
E. ANY GROWTH OR ACHIEVEMENT TARGET THAT DOES NOT MEET THE MINIMUM
STANDARDS AS SET FORTH IN REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER ADOPTED HERE-
UNDER.
7. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ENSURE THAT THE PROCESS BY WHICH WEIGHTS AND
SCORING RANGES ARE ASSIGNED TO SUBCOMPONENTS AND CATEGORIES IS TRANSPAR-
ENT AND AVAILABLE TO THOSE BEING RATED BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF EACH
SCHOOL YEAR. SUCH PROCESS MUST ENSURE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A TEACHER
OR PRINCIPAL TO OBTAIN ANY NUMBER OF POINTS IN THE APPLICABLE SCORING
RANGES, INCLUDING ZERO, IN EACH SUBCOMPONENT. THE SUPERINTENDENT,
DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OR CHANCELLOR AND THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT (WHERE ONE EXISTS) SHALL CERTIFY IN THE
DISTRICT'S PLAN THAT THE EVALUATION PROCESS SHALL USE THE STANDARDS FOR
THE SCORING RANGES PROVIDED BY THE COMMISSIONER. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT
IN ANY EVENT, THE FOLLOWING RULES SHALL APPLY: A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL
WHO IS:
A. RATED USING TWO SUBCOMPONENTS IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY
AND RECEIVES A RATING OF INEFFECTIVE IN SUCH CATEGORY SHALL BE RATED
INEFFECTIVE OVERALL, EXCEPT THAT IF THE MEASURE USED IN THE SECOND
SUBCOMPONENT IS A SECOND STATE-PROVIDED GROWTH SCORE ON A STATE-ADMINIS-
TERED OR SPONSORED TEST PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (A) OF SUBPARAGRAPH ONE OF
PARAGRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION, A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL
THAT RECEIVES A RATING OF INEFFECTIVE IN SUCH CATEGORY SHALL NOT BE
ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A RATING OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE OVERALL;
B. RATED USING ONLY THE STATE MEASURE SUBCOMPONENT IN THE STUDENT
PERFORMANCE CATEGORY AND RECEIVES A RATING OF INEFFECTIVE IN SUCH CATE-
GORY SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A RATING OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY
EFFECTIVE OVERALL; AND
C. RATED INEFFECTIVE IN THE OBSERVATIONS CATEGORY SHALL NOT BE ELIGI-
BLE TO RECEIVE A RATING OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE OVERALL.
8. A STUDENT MAY NOT BE INSTRUCTED, FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE SCHOOL YEARS,
BY ANY TWO TEACHERS IN THE SAME DISTRICT, EACH OF WHOM RECEIVED A RATING
OF INEFFECTIVE UNDER AN EVALUATION CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION IN
THE SCHOOL YEAR IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH THE
STUDENT IS PLACED IN THE TEACHER'S CLASSROOM; PROVIDED, THAT IF A
DISTRICT DEEMS IT IMPRACTICABLE TO COMPLY WITH THIS SUBDIVISION, THE
DISTRICT SHALL SEEK A WAIVER FROM THE DEPARTMENT FROM SUCH REQUIREMENT.
9. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO AFFECT THE UNFETTERED
STATUTORY RIGHT OF A DISTRICT TO TERMINATE A PROBATIONARY (NON-TENURED)
TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL FOR ANY STATUTORILY AND CONSTITUTIONALLY PERMISSI-
BLE REASONS.
10. THE LOCAL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVE SHALL NEGOTIATE
WITH THE DISTRICT:
A. WHETHER TO USE A SECOND MEASURE, AND, IN THE EVENT THAT A SECOND
MEASURE IS USED, WHICH MEASURE TO USE, PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH TWO OF
PARAGRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION AND
B. HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH B OF SUBDIVISION FOUR
OF THIS SECTION, AND ASSOCIATED REGULATIONS AS ESTABLISHED BY THE
COMMISSIONER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE FOURTEEN OF THE CIVIL SERVICE
LAW.
11. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY INCONSISTENT PROVISION OF LAW, NO SCHOOL
DISTRICT SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN APPORTIONMENT OF GENERAL SUPPORT FOR
PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM THE FUNDS APPROPRIATED FOR THE 2015--2016 SCHOOL
YEAR AND ANY YEAR THEREAFTER IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT APPORTIONED TO SUCH
SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE RESPECTIVE BASE YEAR UNLESS SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT
HAS SUBMITTED DOCUMENTATION THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER
BY NOVEMBER FIFTEENTH, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, OR BY SEPTEMBER FIRST OF
EACH SUBSEQUENT YEAR, DEMONSTRATING THAT IT HAS FULLY IMPLEMENTED THE
STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING ANNUAL TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL
EVALUATIONS OF TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIRE-
MENTS OF THIS SECTION AND THE REGULATIONS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
PROVIDED FURTHER THAT ANY APPORTIONMENT WITHHELD PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION SHALL NOT OCCUR PRIOR TO APRIL FIRST OF THE CURRENT YEAR AND
SHALL NOT HAVE ANY EFFECT ON THE BASE YEAR CALCULATION FOR USE IN THE
SUBSEQUENT SCHOOL YEAR. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "BASE YEAR" SHALL
MEAN THE BASE YEAR AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH B OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF
SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER, AND "CURRENT YEAR" SHALL
MEAN THE CURRENT YEAR AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF
SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER.
12. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, RULE OR REGULATION TO
THE CONTRARY, ALL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO AFTER
APRIL FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIRE-
MENTS OF THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE AGREEMENT RELATES TO THE TWO THOUSAND
FOURTEEN--TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN SCHOOL YEAR ONLY. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION
SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO ABROGATE ANY CONFLICTING PROVISIONS OF ANY COLLEC-
TIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT IN EFFECT ON APRIL FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN
DURING THE TERM OF SUCH AGREEMENT AND UNTIL THE ENTRY INTO A SUCCESSOR
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, PROVIDED THAT NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, UPON EXPIRATION OF SUCH TERM AND THE
ENTRY INTO A SUCCESSOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY.
13. ANY REFERENCE IN LAW TO "ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW"
SHALL BE DEEMED TO REFER TO AN ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW
PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OF THIS ARTICLE OR ANNUAL
TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL EVALUATIONS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND ANY
REFERENCES TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE
DEEMED TO REFER TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OF THIS ARTICLE
AND/OR THIS SECTION, AS APPLICABLE.
14. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS TO ALIGN THE PRINCIPAL
EVALUATION SYSTEM AS SET FORTH IN SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OF
THIS ARTICLE WITH THE NEW TEACHER EVALUATION SYSTEM SET FORTH HEREIN.
15. THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPHS D, K, K-1, K-2 AND L OF SUBDIVISION
TWO AND SUBDIVISIONS FOUR, FIVE, FIVE-A, NINE, AND TEN OF SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-C OF THIS ARTICLE, AS AMENDED, SHALL APPLY TO THIS
SECTION TO THE EXTENT DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
SUBPART F
Section 1. Testing reduction report. New York families in many
districts are expressing significant stress and anxiety from over-test-
ing. The demands of state tests have been growing and there has been an
increase in the number of local tests. As a result, testing in many
districts has reached a level that is counterproductive and must be
addressed. On or before June 1, 2015, the Chancellor of the Board of
Regents shall submit a report to the Governor, the Temporary President
of the Senate, and the Speaker of the Assembly outlining recommendations
that shall help to: reduce the amount of state and local student test-
ing, improve the quality thereof, and thereby reduce test-related stress
and anxiety for students and educators. The report shall outline ways in
which any future testing in New York shall be implemented in a manner
that minimizes classroom preparation, student stress and student anxie-
ty. The Chancellor shall work with students, parents, educators, school
districts, and other relevant stakeholders in preparing the report.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
SUBPART G
Section 1. Subdivision 7-a of section 305 of the education law, as
added by chapter 296 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
7-a. a. In addition to the authority to revoke and annul a certificate
of qualification of a teacher in a proceeding brought pursuant to subdi-
vision seven of this section, the commissioner shall be authorized, and
it shall be his or her duty, to revoke and annul in accordance with this
subdivision the teaching certificate of a teacher convicted of a sex
offense for which registration as a sex offender is required pursuant to
article six-C of the correction law OR OF ANY OTHER VIOLENT FELONY
OFFENSE OR OFFENSES COMMITTED AGAINST A CHILD WHEN SUCH CHILD WAS THE
INTENDED VICTIM OF SUCH OFFENSE.
b. As used in this subdivision, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(1) "conviction" means any conviction whether by plea of guilty or
nolo contendere or from a verdict after trial or otherwise;
(2) "sex offense" means an offense set forth in subdivision two or
three of section one hundred sixty-eight-a of the correction law,
including an offense committed in any jurisdiction for which the offen-
der is required to register as a sex offender in New York;
(3) "teacher" means any professional educator holding a teaching
certificate as defined in subparagraph four of this paragraph, including
but not limited to a classroom teacher, teaching assistant, pupil
personnel services professional, school administrator or supervisor or
superintendent of schools; [and]
(4) "teaching certificate" means the certificate or license or other
certificate of qualification granted to a teacher by any authority what-
soever; AND
(5) "VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSE" MEANS ANY OFFENSE AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVI-
SION ONE OF SECTION 70.02 OF THE PENAL LAW.
c. Upon receipt of a certified copy of a criminal history record show-
ing that a teacher has been convicted of a sex offense or sex offenses
OR A VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSE OR OFFENSES COMMITTED AGAINST A CHILD WHEN
SUCH CHILD WAS THE INTENDED VICTIM OF SUCH OFFENSE or upon receipt of
notice of such a conviction as provided in paragraph d of this subdivi-
sion, the commissioner shall automatically revoke and annul the teaching
certificate of such teacher without the right to a hearing. The commis-
sioner shall mail notice of the revocation and annulment pursuant to
this subdivision by certified mail, return receipt requested, and by
first-class mail directed to the teacher at such teacher's last known
address and, if different, the last address filed by the certificate
holder with the commissioner and to the teacher's counsel of record in
the criminal proceeding as reported in the notice pursuant to paragraph
d of this subdivision. Such notice shall inform the teacher that his or
her certificate has been revoked and annulled, identify the sex offense
or sex offenses OR VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSE OR OFFENSES COMMITTED AGAINST
A CHILD WHEN SUCH CHILD WAS THE INTENDED VICTIM OF SUCH OFFENSE of which
the teacher has been convicted and shall set forth the procedure to
follow if the teacher denies he or she is the person who has been so
convicted. If such teacher notifies the commissioner in writing within
twenty-five days after the date of receipt of the notice that he or she
is not the same person as the convicted offender identified in the crim-
inal record or identified pursuant to paragraph d of this subdivision,
provides proof to reasonably support such claim and the commissioner is
satisfied the proof establishes such claim, the commissioner shall,
within five business days of the receipt of such proof, restore such
teacher's teaching certificate retroactive to the date of revocation and
annulment.
d. Upon conviction of a teacher of a sex offense defined in this
subdivision, the district attorney or other prosecuting authority who
obtained such conviction shall provide notice of such conviction to the
commissioner identifying the sex offense or sex offenses OR VIOLENT
FELONY OFFENSE OR OFFENSES COMMITTED AGAINST A CHILD WHEN SUCH CHILD WAS
THE INTENDED VICTIM OF SUCH OFFENSE of which the teacher has been
convicted, the name and address of such offender and other identifying
information prescribed by the commissioner, including the offender's
date of birth and social security number, to the extent consistent with
federal and state laws governing personal privacy and confidentiality of
information. Such notice shall also include the name and business
address of the offender's counsel of record in the criminal proceeding.
e. Upon receipt of proof that the conviction or convictions that
formed the basis for revocation and annulment of the teacher's teaching
certificate pursuant to this subdivision have been set aside upon appeal
or otherwise reversed, vacated or annulled, the commissioner shall be
required to conduct a due process hearing pursuant to subdivision seven
of this section and part eighty-three of title eight of the New York
codes, rules and regulations prior to making a determination as to
whether to reinstate the teacher's original teaching certificate. Such
determination shall be made within ninety days after such proof has been
received.
f. Except as provided in paragraph g of this subdivision, and notwith-
standing any other provision of law to the contrary, a teacher shall be
reinstated to his or her position of employment in a public school, with
full back pay and benefits from the date his or her certificate was
revoked or annulled to the date of such reinstatement, under the follow-
ing circumstances:
(i) The termination of employment was based solely on the conviction
of a sex offense, OR CONVICTION OF A VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSE OR OFFENSES
COMMITTED AGAINST A CHILD WHEN SUCH CHILD WAS THE INTENDED VICTIM OF
SUCH OFFENSE or the revocation or annulment of a certificate based on
such conviction, and such conviction has been set aside on appeal or
otherwise reversed, vacated or annulled and the commissioner has rein-
stated the teacher's certification pursuant to paragraph e of this
subdivision; or
(ii) The termination of employment was based solely on the conviction
of a sex offense OR VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSE OR OFFENSES COMMITTED AGAINST
A CHILD WHEN SUCH CHILD WAS THE INTENDED VICTIM OF SUCH OFFENSE and it
has been determined that the teacher is not the same person as the
convicted offender.
g. If a teacher's employment was terminated as a result of a discipli-
nary proceeding conducted pursuant to section three thousand twenty-a of
this chapter or other disciplinary hearing conducted pursuant to any
collective bargaining or contractual agreement on one or more grounds
other than conviction of a sex offense, or the revocation or annulment
of a certificate based on such conviction, then nothing in paragraph f
of this subdivision shall require a school district to reinstate employ-
ment of such teacher or be liable for back pay or benefits.
h. No provision of this article shall be deemed to preclude the
following: (i) the commissioner from conducting a due process hearing
pursuant to subdivision seven of this section and part eighty-three of
title eight of the New York codes, rules and regulations; or (ii) a
school district or employing board from bringing a disciplinary proceed-
ing pursuant to section three thousand twenty-a OR THREE THOUSAND TWEN-
TY-B of this chapter; or (iii) a school district or employing board from
bringing an alternative disciplinary proceeding conducted pursuant to a
collective bargaining or contractual agreement.
i. The commissioner shall be authorized to promulgate any regulations
necessary to implement the provisions of this subdivision.
S 2. Subdivision 3 and paragraph a of subdivision 4 of section 3020 of
the education law, as amended by chapter 103 of the laws of 2010, are
amended to read as follows:
3. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, the procedures
set forth in section three thousand twenty-a of this article and subdi-
vision seven of section twenty-five hundred ninety-j of this chapter may
be modified or replaced by agreements negotiated between the city school
district of the city of New York and any employee organization repres-
enting employees or titles that are or were covered by any memorandum of
agreement executed by such city school district and the council of
supervisors and administrators of the city of New York on or after
December first, nineteen hundred ninety-nine. Where such procedures are
so modified or replaced: (i) compliance with such modification or
replacement procedures shall satisfy any provision in this chapter that
requires compliance with section three thousand twenty-a, (ii) any
employee against whom charges have been preferred prior to the effective
date of such modification or replacement shall continue to be subject to
the provisions of such section as in effect on the date such charges
were preferred, (iii) the provisions of subdivisions one and two of this
section shall not apply to agreements negotiated pursuant to this subdi-
vision, and (iv) in accordance with paragraph (e) of subdivision one of
section two hundred nine-a of the civil service law, such modification
or replacement procedures contained in an agreement negotiated pursuant
to this subdivision shall continue as terms of such agreement after its
expiration until a new agreement is negotiated; provided that any alter-
nate disciplinary procedures contained in a collective bargaining agree-
ment that becomes effective on or after July first, two thousand ten
shall provide for an expedited hearing process before a single hearing
officer in accordance with subparagraph (i-a) of paragraph c of subdivi-
sion three of section three thousand twenty-a of this article in cases
in which charges of incompetence are brought against a building princi-
pal based solely upon an allegation of a pattern of ineffective teaching
or performance as defined in section three thousand twelve-c of this
article and shall provide that such a pattern of ineffective teaching or
performance shall constitute very significant evidence of incompetence
which may form the basis for just cause removal of the building princi-
pal AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT ANY ALTERNATE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
CONTAINED IN A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THAT BECOMES EFFECTIVE ON
OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN SHALL PROVIDE THAT ALL HEAR-
INGS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR THREE THOUSAND
TWENTY-B OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE CONDUCTED BEFORE A SINGLE HEARING
OFFICER AND THAT TWO CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT TO ANNUAL
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D
OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL CONSTITUTE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INCOMPETENCE
THAT CAN ONLY BE OVERCOME BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE
EMPLOYEE IS NOT INCOMPETENT IN LIGHT OF ALL SURROUNDING CIRCUMSTANCES,
AND IF NOT SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME, THE FINDING, ABSENT EXTRAORDINARY
CIRCUMSTANCES, SHALL BE JUST CAUSE FOR REMOVAL, AND THAT THREE CONSEC-
UTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT TO ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
REVIEWS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL
CONSTITUTE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INCOMPETENCE THAT CAN ONLY BE OVER-
COME BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE CALCULATION OF ONE OR
MORE OF THE PRINCIPAL'S UNDERLYING COMPONENTS ON THE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL
PERFORMANCE REVIEWS PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE WAS FRAUDULENT, AND IF NOT SUCCESSFUL-
LY OVERCOME, THE FINDING, ABSENT EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES, SHALL BE
JUST CAUSE FOR REMOVAL. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, FRAUD SHALL
INCLUDE MISTAKEN IDENTITY. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of
law, the commissioner shall review any appeals authorized by such
modification or replacement procedures within fifteen days from receipt
by such commissioner of the record of prior proceedings in the matter
subject to appeal. Such review shall have preference over all other
appeals or proceedings pending before such commissioner.
a. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, the procedures
set forth in section three thousand twenty-a of this article and subdi-
vision seven of section twenty-five hundred ninety-j of this chapter may
be modified by agreements negotiated between the city school district of
the city of New York and any employee organization representing employ-
ees or titles that are or were covered by any memorandum of agreement
executed by such city school district and the united federation of
teachers on or after June tenth, two thousand two. Where such proce-
dures are so modified: (i) compliance with such modified procedures
shall satisfy any provision of this chapter that requires compliance
with section three thousand twenty-a of this article; (ii) any employee
against whom charges have been preferred prior to the effective date of
such modification shall continue to be subject to the provisions of such
section as in effect on the date such charges were preferred; (iii) the
provisions of subdivisions one and two of this section shall not apply
to agreements negotiated pursuant to this subdivision, except that no
person enjoying the benefits of tenure shall be disciplined or removed
during a term of employment except for just cause; and (iv) in accord-
ance with paragraph (e) of subdivision one of section two hundred nine-a
of the civil service law, such modified procedures contained in an
agreement negotiated pursuant to this subdivision shall continue as
terms of such agreement after its expiration until a new agreement is
negotiated; and provided further that any alternate disciplinary proce-
dures contained in a collective bargaining agreement that becomes effec-
tive on or after July first, two thousand ten shall provide for an expe-
dited hearing process before a single hearing officer in accordance with
subparagraph (i-a) of paragraph c of subdivision three of section three
thousand twenty-a of this article in cases in which charges of incompe-
tence are brought based solely upon an allegation of a pattern of inef-
fective teaching or performance as defined in section three thousand
twelve-c of this article and shall provide that such a pattern of inef-
fective teaching or performance shall constitute very significant
evidence of incompetence which may form the basis for just cause
removal, AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT ANY ALTERNATE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
CONTAINED IN A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THAT BECOMES EFFECTIVE ON
OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN SHALL PROVIDE THAT ALL HEAR-
INGS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR THREE THOUSAND
TWENTY-B OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE CONDUCTED BEFORE A SINGLE HEARING
OFFICER AND THAT TWO CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT TO ANNUAL
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D
OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL CONSTITUTE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INCOMPETENCE
THAT CAN ONLY BE OVERCOME BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE
EMPLOYEE IS NOT INCOMPETENT IN LIGHT OF ALL SURROUNDING CIRCUMSTANCES,
AND IF NOT SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME, THE FINDING, ABSENT EXTRAORDINARY
CIRCUMSTANCES, SHALL BE JUST CAUSE FOR REMOVAL, AND THAT THREE CONSEC-
UTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT TO ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
REVIEWS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL
CONSTITUTE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INCOMPETENCE THAT CAN ONLY BE OVER-
COME BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE CALCULATION OF ONE OR
MORE OF THE TEACHER'S UNDERLYING COMPONENTS ON THE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL
PERFORMANCE REVIEWS PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE WAS FRAUDULENT, AND IF NOT SUCCESSFUL-
LY OVERCOME, THE FINDING, ABSENT EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES, SHALL BE
JUST CAUSE FOR REMOVAL. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH, FRAUD SHALL
INCLUDE MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
S 3. Section 3020-a of the education law, as amended by section 1 of
part B of chapter 57 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
S 3020-a. Disciplinary procedures and penalties. 1. Filing of charges.
All charges against a person enjoying the benefits of tenure as provided
in subdivision three of section eleven hundred two, and sections twen-
ty-five hundred nine, twenty-five hundred seventy-three, twenty-five
hundred ninety-j, three thousand twelve and three thousand fourteen of
this chapter shall be in writing and filed with the clerk or secretary
of the school district or employing board during the period between the
actual opening and closing of the school year for which the employed is
normally required to serve. Except as provided in subdivision eight of
section twenty-five hundred seventy-three and subdivision seven of
section twenty-five hundred ninety-j of this chapter, no charges under
this section shall be brought more than three years after the occurrence
of the alleged incompetency or misconduct, except when the charge is of
misconduct constituting a crime when committed.
2. Disposition of charges. a. Upon receipt of the charges, the clerk
or secretary of the school district or employing board shall immediately
notify said board thereof. Within five days after receipt of charges,
the employing board, in executive session, shall determine, by a vote of
a majority of all the members of such board, whether probable cause
exists to bring a disciplinary proceeding against an employee pursuant
to this section. If such determination is affirmative, a written state-
ment specifying (i) the charges in detail, (ii) the maximum penalty
which will be imposed by the board if the employee does not request a
hearing or that will be sought by the board if the employee is found
guilty of the charges after a hearing and (iii) the employee's rights
under this section, shall be immediately forwarded to the accused
employee by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested or by
personal delivery to the employee.
b. The employee may be suspended pending a hearing on the charges and
the final determination thereof. The suspension shall be with pay,
except the employee may be suspended without pay if the employee has
entered a guilty plea to or has been convicted of a felony crime
concerning the criminal sale or possession of a controlled substance, a
precursor of a controlled substance, or drug paraphernalia as defined in
article two hundred twenty or two hundred twenty-one of the penal law;
or a felony crime involving the physical abuse of a minor or student.
C. WHERE CHARGES OF MISCONDUCT CONSTITUTING PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL ABUSE
OF A STUDENT ARE BROUGHT ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY SUSPEND THE EMPLOYEE WITHOUT PAY PENDING AN
EXPEDITED HEARING PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (I-A) OF PARAGRAPH C OF
SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER LAW, RULE,
OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A PROC-
ESS IN REGULATIONS FOR A PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING BEFORE AN IMPARTIAL
HEARING OFFICER WITHIN TEN DAYS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DECISION TO
SUSPEND AN EMPLOYEE WITHOUT PAY PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH SHOULD BE
CONTINUED OR REVERSED. THE PROCESS FOR SELECTION OF AN IMPARTIAL HEAR-
ING OFFICER SHALL BE AS SIMILAR AS POSSIBLE TO THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN IMPARTIAL HEARING OFFICER FOR DUE PROCESS
COMPLAINTS PURSUANT TO SECTION FORTY-FOUR HUNDRED FOUR OF THIS CHAPTER.
THE HEARING OFFICER SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER PROBABLE CAUSE SUPPORTS THE
CHARGES AND SHALL REVERSE THE DECISION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO
SUSPEND THE EMPLOYEE WITHOUT PAY AND REINSTATE SUCH PAY UPON A FINDING
THAT PROBABLE CAUSE DOES NOT SUPPORT THE CHARGES. THE HEARING OFFICER
MAY ALSO REINSTATE PAY UPON A WRITTEN DETERMINATION THAT A SUSPENSION
WITHOUT PAY IS GROSSLY DISPROPORTIONATE IN LIGHT OF ALL SURROUNDING
CIRCUMSTANCES. PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT SUCH AN EMPLOYEE SHALL BE ELIGI-
BLE TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR WITHHELD PAY AND ACCRUED INTEREST AT A
RATE OF SIX PERCENT COMPOUNDED ANNUALLY IF THE HEARING OFFICER FINDS IN
HIS OR HER FAVOR, EITHER AT THE PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING OR IN A FINAL
DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THE EXPEDITED HEARING HELD PURSUANT TO SUBPAR-
AGRAPH (I-A) OF PARAGRAPH C OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION. ANY
SUSPENSION WITHOUT PAY SHALL LAST NO LONGER THAN ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY
DAYS FROM THE DECISION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO SUSPEND THE EMPLOYEE
WITHOUT PAY AND SUCH SUSPENSION SHALL ONLY RELATE TO EMPLOYEE COMPEN-
SATION, EXCLUSIVE OF OTHER BENEFITS AND GUARANTEES. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY
OTHER PROVISION OF LAW OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, ANY PROVISION OF A
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BY THE CITY OF NEW YORK AS
OF APRIL FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, THAT PROVIDES FOR SUSPENSION WITH-
OUT PAY FOR OFFENSES AS SPECIFIED IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL SUPERSEDE THE
PROVISIONS HEREOF AND SHALL CONTINUE IN EFFECT WITHOUT MODIFICATION AND
MAY BE EXTENDED.
D. The employee shall be terminated without a hearing, as provided for
in this section, upon conviction of a sex offense, as defined in subpar-
agraph two of paragraph b of subdivision seven-a of section three
hundred five of this chapter. To the extent this section applies to an
employee acting as a school administrator or supervisor, as defined in
subparagraph three of paragraph b of subdivision seven-b of section
three hundred five of this chapter, such employee shall be terminated
without a hearing, as provided for in this section, upon conviction of a
felony offense defined in subparagraph two of paragraph b of subdivision
seven-b of section three hundred five of this chapter.
[c. Within] E. (I) FOR HEARINGS COMMENCED BY THE FILING OF CHARGES
PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, WITHIN ten days of receipt of
the statement of charges, the employee shall notify the clerk or secre-
tary of the employing board in writing whether he or she desires a hear-
ing on the charges and when the charges concern pedagogical incompetence
or issues involving pedagogical judgment, his or her choice of either a
single hearing officer or a three member panel, provided that a three
member panel shall not be available where the charges concern pedagog-
ical incompetence based solely upon a teacher's or principal's pattern
of ineffective teaching or performance as defined in section three thou-
sand twelve-c of this article. All other charges shall be heard by a
single hearing officer.
(II) ALL HEARINGS COMMENCED BY THE FILING OF CHARGES ON OR AFTER JULY
FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN SHALL BE HEARD BY A SINGLE HEARING OFFICER.
[d.] F. The unexcused failure of the employee to notify the clerk or
secretary of his or her desire for a hearing within ten days of the
receipt of charges shall be deemed a waiver of the right to a hearing.
Where an employee requests a hearing in the manner provided for by this
section, the clerk or secretary of the board shall, within three working
days of receipt of the employee's notice or request for a hearing, noti-
fy the commissioner of the need for a hearing. If the employee waives
his or her right to a hearing the employing board shall proceed, within
fifteen days, by a vote of a majority of all members of such board, to
determine the case and fix the penalty, if any, to be imposed in accord-
ance with subdivision four of this section.
3. Hearings. a. Notice of hearing. Upon receipt of a request for a
hearing in accordance with subdivision two of this section, the commis-
sioner shall forthwith notify the American Arbitration Association
(hereinafter "association") of the need for a hearing and shall request
the association to provide to the commissioner forthwith a list of names
of persons chosen by the association from the association's panel of
labor arbitrators to potentially serve as hearing officers together with
relevant biographical information on each arbitrator. Upon receipt of
said list and biographical information, the commissioner shall forthwith
send a copy of both simultaneously to the employing board and the
employee. The commissioner shall also simultaneously notify both the
employing board and the employee of each potential hearing officer's
record in the last five cases of commencing and completing hearings
within the time periods prescribed in this section.
b. (i) Hearing officers. All hearings pursuant to this section shall
be conducted before and by a single hearing officer selected as provided
for in this section. A hearing officer shall not be eligible to serve in
such position if he or she is a resident of the school district, other
than the city of New York, under the jurisdiction of the employing
board, an employee, agent or representative of the employing board or of
any labor organization representing employees of such employing board,
has served as such agent or representative within two years of the date
of the scheduled hearing, or if he or she is then serving as a mediator
or fact finder in the same school district.
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for hearings commenced
by the filing of charges prior to April first, two thousand twelve, the
hearing officer shall be compensated by the department with the custom-
ary fee paid for service as an arbitrator under the auspices of the
association for each day of actual service plus necessary travel and
other reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of his or her
duties. All other expenses of the disciplinary proceedings commenced by
the filing of charges prior to April first, two thousand twelve shall be
paid in accordance with rules promulgated by the commissioner. Claims
for such compensation for days of actual service and reimbursement for
necessary travel and other expenses for hearings commenced by the filing
of charges prior to April first, two thousand twelve shall be paid from
an appropriation for such purpose in the order in which they have been
approved by the commissioner for payment, provided payment shall first
be made for any other hearing costs payable by the commissioner, includ-
ing the costs of transcribing the record, and provided further that no
such claim shall be set aside for insufficiency of funds to make a
complete payment, but shall be eligible for a partial payment in one
year and shall retain its priority date status for appropriations desig-
nated for such purpose in future years.
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule or regulation to
the contrary, for hearings commenced by the filing of charges on or
after April first, two thousand twelve, the hearing officer shall be
compensated by the department for each day of actual service plus neces-
sary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of
his or her duties, provided that the commissioner shall establish a
schedule for maximum rates of compensation of hearing officers based on
customary and reasonable fees for service as an arbitrator and provide
for limitations on the number of study hours that may be claimed.
(ii) The commissioner shall mail to the employing board and the
employee the list of potential hearing officers and biographies provided
to the commissioner by the association, the employing board and the
employee, individually or through their agents or representatives, shall
by mutual agreement select a hearing officer from said list to conduct
the hearing and shall notify the commissioner of their selection.
(iii) Within fifteen days after receiving the list of potential hear-
ing officers as described in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the
employing board and the employee shall each notify the commissioner of
their agreed upon hearing officer selection. If the employing board and
the employee fail to agree on an arbitrator to serve as a hearing offi-
cer from the list of potential hearing officers, or fail to notify the
commissioner of a selection within such fifteen day time period, the
commissioner shall appoint a hearing officer from the list. The
provisions of this subparagraph shall not apply in cities with a popu-
lation of one million or more with alternative procedures specified in
section three thousand twenty of this article.
(iv) In those cases COMMENCED BY THE FILING OF CHARGES PRIOR TO JULY
FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN in which the employee elects to have the
charges heard by a hearing panel, the hearing panel shall consist of the
hearing officer, selected in accordance with this subdivision, and two
additional persons, one selected by the employee and one selected by the
employing board, from a list maintained for such purpose by the commis-
sioner. The list shall be composed of professional personnel with admin-
istrative or supervisory responsibility, professional personnel without
administrative or supervisory responsibility, chief school administra-
tors, members of employing boards and others selected from lists of
nominees submitted to the commissioner by statewide organizations
representing teachers, school administrators and supervisors and the
employing boards. Hearing panel members other than the hearing officer
shall be compensated by the department at the rate of one hundred
dollars for each day of actual service plus necessary travel and subsis-
tence expenses. The hearing officer shall be compensated as set forth in
this subdivision. The hearing officer shall be the chairperson of the
hearing panel.
c. Hearing procedures. (i) (A) The commissioner shall have the power
to establish necessary rules and procedures for the conduct of hearings
under this section.
(B) The department shall be authorized to monitor and investigate a
hearing officer's compliance with statutory timelines pursuant to this
section. The commissioner shall annually inform all hearing officers who
have heard cases pursuant to this section during the preceding year that
the time periods prescribed in this section for conducting such hearings
are to be strictly followed. A record of continued failure to commence
and complete hearings within the time periods prescribed in this section
shall be considered grounds for the commissioner to exclude such indi-
vidual from the list of potential hearing officers sent to the employing
board and the employee for such hearings.
(C) Such rules shall not require compliance with technical rules of
evidence. Hearings shall be conducted by the hearing officer selected
pursuant to paragraph b of this subdivision with full and fair disclo-
sure of the nature of the case and evidence against the employee by the
employing board and shall be public or private at the discretion of the
employee AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT THE HEARING OFFICER, AT THE PRE-HEAR-
ING CONFERENCE, SHALL SET A SCHEDULE AND MANNER FOR FULL AND FAIR
DISCLOSURE OF THE WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE TO BE OFFERED BY THE EMPLOYEE.
The employee shall have a reasonable opportunity to defend himself or
herself and an opportunity to testify in his or her own behalf. The
employee shall not be required to testify. Each party shall have the
right to be represented by counsel, to subpoena witnesses, and to cross-
examine witnesses. All testimony taken shall be under oath which the
hearing officer is hereby authorized to administer. A CHILD WITNESS
UNDER THE AGE OF FOURTEEN MAY BE PERMITTED TO TESTIFY THROUGH THE USE OF
LIVE, TWO-WAY CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION, AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION 65.00 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW, WHEN
THE HEARING OFFICER, AFTER PROVIDING THE EMPLOYEE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO
BE HEARD, DETERMINES BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT SUCH CHILD
WITNESS WOULD SUFFER SERIOUS MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL HARM WHICH WOULD
SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR SUCH CHILD'S ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IF REQUIRED TO
TESTIFY AT THE HEARING WITHOUT THE USE OF LIVE, TWO-WAY CLOSED-CIRCUIT
TELEVISION AND THAT THE USE OF SUCH LIVE, TWO-WAY CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELE-
VISION WILL DIMINISH THE LIKELIHOOD OR EXTENT OF SUCH HARM. IN MAKING
SUCH DETERMINATION, THE HEARING OFFICER SHALL CONSIDER ANY APPLICABLE
FACTORS CONTAINED IN SUBDIVISION TEN OF SECTION 65.20 OF THE CRIMINAL
PROCEDURE LAW. WHERE THE HEARING OFFICER DETERMINES THAT SUCH CHILD
WITNESS WILL BE PERMITTED TO TESTIFY THROUGH THE USE OF LIVE, TWO-WAY
CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION, THE TESTIMONY OF SUCH CHILD WITNESS SHALL BE
TAKEN IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH SECTION 65.30 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCE-
DURE LAW.
(D) An accurate record of the proceedings shall be kept at the expense
of the department at each such hearing in accordance with the regu-
lations of the commissioner. A copy of the record of the hearings shall,
upon request, be furnished without charge to the employee and the board
of education involved. The department shall be authorized to utilize any
new technology or such other appropriate means to transcribe or record
such hearings in an accurate, reliable, efficient and cost-effective
manner without any charge to the employee or board of education
involved.
(i-a)(A) [Where charges of incompetence are brought based solely upon
a pattern of ineffective teaching or performance of a classroom teacher
or principal, as defined in section three thousand twelve-c of this
article, the hearing shall be conducted before and by a single hearing
officer in an expedited hearing, which shall commence within seven days
after the pre-hearing conference and shall be completed within sixty
days after the pre-hearing conference. The hearing officer shall estab-
lish a hearing schedule at the pre-hearing conference to ensure that the
expedited hearing is completed within the required timeframes and to
ensure an equitable distribution of days between the employing board and
the charged employee. Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation
to the contrary, no adjournments may be granted that would extend the
hearing beyond such sixty days, except as authorized in this subpara-
graph. A hearing officer, upon request, may grant a limited and time
specific adjournment that would extend the hearing beyond such sixty
days if the hearing officer determines that the delay is attributable to
a circumstance or occurrence substantially beyond the control of the
requesting party and an injustice would result if the adjournment were
not granted.
(B) Such charges shall allege that the employing board has developed
and substantially implemented a teacher or principal improvement plan in
accordance with subdivision four of section three thousand twelve-c of
this article for the employee following the first evaluation in which
the employee was rated ineffective, and the immediately preceding evalu-
ation if the employee was rated developing. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law to the contrary, a pattern of ineffective teaching or
performance as defined in section three thousand twelve-c of this arti-
cle shall constitute very significant evidence of incompetence for
purposes of this section. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be
construed to limit the defenses which the employee may place before the
hearing officer in challenging the allegation of a pattern of ineffec-
tive teaching or performance.
(C) The commissioner shall annually inform all hearing officers who
have heard cases pursuant to this section during the preceding year that
the time periods prescribed in this subparagraph for conducting expe-
dited hearings are to be strictly followed. A record of continued fail-
ure to commence and complete expedited hearings within the time periods
prescribed in this subparagraph shall be considered grounds for the
commissioner to exclude such individual from the list of potential hear-
ing officers sent to the employing board and the employee for such expe-
dited hearings.] WHERE CHARGES OF MISCONDUCT CONSTITUTING PHYSICAL OR
SEXUAL ABUSE OF A STUDENT ARE BROUGHT, THE HEARING SHALL BE CONDUCTED
BEFORE AND BY A SINGLE HEARING OFFICER IN AN EXPEDITED HEARING, WHICH
SHALL COMMENCE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE PRE-HEARING CONFERENCE AND
SHALL BE COMPLETED WITHIN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE PRE-HEARING CONFERENCE.
THE HEARING OFFICER SHALL ESTABLISH A HEARING SCHEDULE AT THE PRE-HEAR-
ING CONFERENCE TO ENSURE THAT THE EXPEDITED HEARING IS COMPLETED WITHIN
THE REQUIRED TIMEFRAMES AND TO ENSURE AN EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF DAYS
BETWEEN THE EMPLOYING BOARD AND THE CHARGED EMPLOYEE. NOTWITHSTANDING
ANY OTHER LAW, RULE OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, NO ADJOURNMENTS MAY
BE GRANTED THAT WOULD EXTEND THE HEARING BEYOND SUCH SIXTY DAYS, EXCEPT
AS AUTHORIZED IN THIS SUBPARAGRAPH. A HEARING OFFICER, UPON REQUEST, MAY
GRANT A LIMITED AND TIME SPECIFIC ADJOURNMENT THAT WOULD EXTEND THE
HEARING BEYOND SUCH SIXTY DAYS IF THE HEARING OFFICER DETERMINES THAT
THE DELAY IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO A CIRCUMSTANCE OR OCCURRENCE SUBSTANTIALLY
BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE REQUESTING PARTY AND AN INJUSTICE WOULD RESULT
IF THE ADJOURNMENT WERE NOT GRANTED.
(B) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ANNUALLY INFORM ALL HEARING OFFICERS WHO
HAVE HEARD CASES PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION DURING THE PRECEDING YEAR THAT
THE TIME PERIODS PRESCRIBED IN THIS SUBPARAGRAPH FOR CONDUCTING EXPE-
DITED HEARINGS ARE TO BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED AND FAILURE TO DO SO SHALL BE
CONSIDERED GROUNDS FOR THE COMMISSIONER TO EXCLUDE SUCH INDIVIDUAL FROM
THE LIST OF POTENTIAL HEARING OFFICERS SENT TO THE EMPLOYING BOARD AND
THE EMPLOYEE FOR SUCH EXPEDITED HEARINGS.
(ii) The hearing officer selected to conduct a hearing under this
section shall, within ten to fifteen days of agreeing to serve in such
position, hold a pre-hearing conference which shall be held in the
school district or county seat of the county, or any county, wherein the
employing school board is located. The pre-hearing conference shall be
limited in length to one day except that the hearing officer, in his or
her discretion, may allow one additional day for good cause shown.
(iii) At the pre-hearing conference the hearing officer shall have the
power to:
(A) issue subpoenas;
(B) hear and decide all motions, including but not limited to motions
to dismiss the charges;
(C) hear and decide all applications for bills of particular or
requests for production of materials or information, including, but not
limited to, any witness statement (or statements), investigatory state-
ment (or statements) or note (notes), exculpatory evidence or any other
evidence, including district or student records, relevant and material
to the employee's defense.
(iv) Any pre-hearing motion or application relative to the sufficiency
of the charges, application or amendment thereof, or any preliminary
matters shall be made upon written notice to the hearing officer and the
adverse party no less than five days prior to the date of the pre-hear-
ing conference. Any pre-hearing motions or applications not made as
provided for herein shall be deemed waived except for good cause as
determined by the hearing officer.
(v) In the event that at the pre-hearing conference the employing
board presents evidence that the professional license of the employee
has been revoked and all judicial and administrative remedies have been
exhausted or foreclosed, the hearing officer shall schedule the date,
time and place for an expedited hearing, which hearing shall commence
not more than seven days after the pre-hearing conference and which
shall be limited to one day. The expedited hearing shall be held in the
local school district or county seat of the county or any county, where-
in the said employing board is located. The expedited hearing shall not
be postponed except upon the request of a party and then only for good
cause as determined by the hearing officer. At such hearing, each party
shall have equal time in which to present its case.
(vi) During the pre-hearing conference, the hearing officer shall
determine the reasonable amount of time necessary for a final hearing on
the charge or charges and shall schedule the location, time(s) and
date(s) for the final hearing. The final hearing shall be held in the
local school district or county seat of the county, or any county, wher-
ein the said employing school board is located. In the event that the
hearing officer determines that the nature of the case requires the
final hearing to last more than one day, the days that are scheduled for
the final hearing shall be consecutive. The day or days scheduled for
the final hearing shall not be postponed except upon the request of a
party and then only for good cause shown as determined by the hearing
officer. In all cases, the final hearing shall be completed no later
than sixty days after the pre-hearing conference unless the hearing
officer determines that extraordinary circumstances warrant a limited
extension.
(vii) All evidence shall be submitted by all parties within one
hundred twenty-five days of the filing of charges and no additional
evidence shall be accepted after such time, absent extraordinary circum-
stances beyond the control of the parties.
d. Limitation on claims. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
rule or regulation to the contrary, no payments shall be made by the
department pursuant to this subdivision on or after April first, two
thousand twelve for: (i) compensation of a hearing officer or hearing
panel member, (ii) reimbursement of such hearing officers or panel
members for necessary travel or other expenses incurred by them, or
(iii) for other hearing expenses on a claim submitted later than one
year after the final disposition of the hearing by any means, including
settlement, or within ninety days after the effective date of this para-
graph, whichever is later; provided that no payment shall be barred or
reduced where such payment is required as a result of a court order or
judgment or a final audit.
4. Post hearing procedures. a. The hearing officer shall render a
written decision within thirty days of the last day of the final hear-
ing, or in the case of an expedited hearing within ten days of such
expedited hearing, and shall forward a copy thereof to the commissioner
who shall immediately forward copies of the decision to the employee and
to the clerk or secretary of the employing board. The written decision
shall include the hearing officer's findings of fact on each charge, his
or her conclusions with regard to each charge based on said findings and
shall state what penalty or other action, if any, shall be taken by the
employing board. At the request of the employee, in determining what, if
any, penalty or other action shall be imposed, the hearing officer
[shall] MAY consider the extent to which the employing board made
efforts towards correcting the behavior of the employee which resulted
in charges being brought under this section through means including but
not limited to: remediation, peer intervention or an employee assist-
ance plan. In those cases where a penalty is imposed, such penalty may
be a written reprimand, a fine, suspension for a fixed time without pay,
or dismissal. In addition to or in lieu of the aforementioned penalties,
the hearing officer, where he or she deems appropriate, may impose upon
the employee remedial action including but not limited to leaves of
absence with or without pay, continuing education and/or study, a
requirement that the employee seek counseling or medical treatment or
that the employee engage in any other remedial or combination of remedi-
al actions. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE HEARING OFFICER, IN EXERCISING
HIS OR HER DISCRETION, SHALL GIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO THE PENALTY
RECOMMENDED BY THE EMPLOYING BOARD, AND IF THE HEARING OFFICER REJECTS
THE RECOMMENDED PENALTY SUCH REJECTION MUST BE BASED ON REASONS BASED
UPON THE RECORD AS EXPRESSED IN A WRITTEN DETERMINATION.
b. Within fifteen days of receipt of the hearing officer's decision
the employing board shall implement the decision. If the employee is
acquitted he or she shall be restored to his or her position with full
pay for any period of suspension without pay and the charges expunged
from the employment record. If an employee who was convicted of a felony
crime specified in paragraph b of subdivision two of this section, has
said conviction reversed, the employee, upon application, shall be enti-
tled to have his or her pay and other emoluments restored, for the peri-
od from the date of his or her suspension to the date of the decision.
c. The hearing officer shall indicate in the decision whether any of
the charges brought by the employing board were frivolous as defined in
section eighty-three hundred three-a of the civil practice law and
rules. If the hearing officer finds that all of the charges brought
against the employee were frivolous, the hearing officer shall order the
employing board to reimburse the department the reasonable costs said
department incurred as a result of the proceeding and to reimburse the
employee the reasonable costs, including but not limited to reasonable
attorneys' fees, the employee incurred in defending the charges. If the
hearing officer finds that some but not all of the charges brought
against the employee were frivolous, the hearing officer shall order the
employing board to reimburse the department a portion, in the discretion
of the hearing officer, of the reasonable costs said department incurred
as a result of the proceeding and to reimburse the employee a portion,
in the discretion of the hearing officer, of the reasonable costs,
including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees, the employee
incurred in defending the charges.
5. Appeal. a. Not later than ten days after receipt of the hearing
officer's decision, the employee or the employing board may make an
application to the New York state supreme court to vacate or modify the
decision of the hearing officer pursuant to section seventy-five hundred
eleven of the civil practice law and rules. The court's review shall be
limited to the grounds set forth in such section. The hearing panel's
determination shall be deemed to be final for the purpose of such
proceeding.
b. In no case shall the filing or the pendency of an appeal delay the
implementation of the decision of the hearing officer.
S 4. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3020-b to
read as follows:
S 3020-B. STREAMLINED REMOVAL PROCEDURES FOR TEACHERS RATED INEFFEC-
TIVE. 1. APPLICABILITY. THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO CLASSROOM TEACHERS
AND BUILDING PRINCIPALS WHO RECEIVE TWO OR MORE CONSECUTIVE ANNUAL INEF-
FECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT TO ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND
TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE.
2. FILING AND DISPOSITION OF CHARGES. A. A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR EMPLOY-
ING BOARD MAY BRING CHARGES OF INCOMPETENCE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
AGAINST ANY CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL WHO RECEIVES TWO
CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS. A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR EMPLOYING BOARD
SHALL BRING CHARGES OF INCOMPETENCE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AGAINST ANY
CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL WHO RECEIVES THREE CONSECUTIVE
INEFFECTIVE RATINGS. ALL CHARGES AGAINST A PERSON ENJOYING THE BENEFITS
OF TENURE AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED
TWO, AND SECTIONS TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED NINE, TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED SEVEN-
TY-THREE, TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED NINETY-J, THREE THOUSAND TWELVE AND THREE
THOUSAND FOURTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE IN WRITING AND FILED WITH THE
CLERK OR SECRETARY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OR EMPLOYING BOARD. EXCEPT AS
PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION EIGHT OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED
SEVENTY-THREE AND SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED NINE-
TY-J OF THIS CHAPTER, NO CHARGES UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE BROUGHT
MORE THAN THREE YEARS AFTER THE OCCURRENCE OF THE ALLEGED INCOMPETENCY.
WHEN SUCH CHARGES ARE BROUGHT, A WRITTEN STATEMENT SPECIFYING (I) THE
CHARGES IN DETAIL, (II) THAT THE PENALTY THAT WILL BE IMPOSED BY THE
BOARD IF THE EMPLOYEE DOES NOT REQUEST A HEARING OR THAT WILL BE SOUGHT
BY THE BOARD AFTER A HEARING IS DISMISSAL; AND (III) THE EMPLOYEE'S
RIGHTS UNDER THIS SECTION, SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY FORWARDED TO THE ACCUSED
EMPLOYEE BY CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED OR BY
PERSONAL DELIVERY TO THE EMPLOYEE.
B. THE EMPLOYEE MAY BE SUSPENDED PENDING A HEARING ON THE CHARGES AND
THE FINAL DETERMINATION THEREOF AND SUCH SUSPENSION SHALL BE WITH PAY.
C. WITHIN TEN DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THE STATEMENT OF CHARGES, THE EMPLOY-
EE SHALL NOTIFY THE CLERK OR SECRETARY OF THE EMPLOYING BOARD IN WRITING
WHETHER HE OR SHE DESIRES A HEARING ON THE CHARGES. THE UNEXCUSED FAIL-
URE OF THE EMPLOYEE TO NOTIFY THE CLERK OR SECRETARY OF HIS OR HER
DESIRE FOR A HEARING WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE RECEIPT OF CHARGES SHALL BE
DEEMED A WAIVER OF THE RIGHT TO A HEARING. WHERE AN EMPLOYEE REQUESTS A
HEARING IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR BY THIS SECTION, THE CLERK OR SECRE-
TARY OF THE BOARD SHALL, WITHIN THREE WORKING DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THE
EMPLOYEE'S NOTICE OR REQUEST FOR A HEARING, NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER OF
THE NEED FOR A HEARING. IF THE EMPLOYEE WAIVES HIS OR HER RIGHT TO A
HEARING THE EMPLOYING BOARD SHALL PROCEED, WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS, BY A
VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF ALL MEMBERS OF SUCH BOARD, TO DETERMINE THE CASE
AND FIX THE PENALTY TO BE IMPOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION FOUR OF
THIS SECTION.
D. CHARGES BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE INEF-
FECTIVE RATINGS SHALL ALLEGE THAT THE EMPLOYING BOARD HAS DEVELOPED AND
SUBSTANTIALLY IMPLEMENTED A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOU-
SAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE FOR THE EMPLOYEE FOLLOWING THE FIRST EVAL-
UATION IN WHICH THE EMPLOYEE WAS RATED INEFFECTIVE, AND THE IMMEDIATELY
PRECEDING EVALUATION IF THE EMPLOYEE WAS RATED DEVELOPING.
3. HEARINGS. A. NOTICE OF HEARING. UPON RECEIPT OF A REQUEST FOR A
HEARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION, THE COMMIS-
SIONER SHALL FORTHWITH NOTIFY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION
(HEREINAFTER "ASSOCIATION") OF THE NEED FOR A HEARING AND SHALL REQUEST
THAT THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDE TO THE COMMISSIONER FORTHWITH A LIST OF
NAMES OF PERSONS CHOSEN BY THE ASSOCIATION FROM THE ASSOCIATION'S PANEL
OF LABOR ARBITRATORS TO POTENTIALLY SERVE AS HEARING OFFICERS TOGETHER
WITH RELEVANT BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ON EACH ARBITRATOR. UPON RECEIPT
OF SAID LIST AND BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL, IN
THE CASE OF AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS RECEIVED THREE CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE
RATINGS, DIRECTLY APPOINT A HEARING OFFICER FROM THE LIST. IN THE CASE
OF AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS RECEIVED TWO CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS, THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL FORTHWITH SEND A COPY OF THE LIST AND BIOGRAPHICAL
INFORMATION SIMULTANEOUSLY TO THE EMPLOYING BOARD AND THE EMPLOYEE. THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL ALSO SIMULTANEOUSLY NOTIFY BOTH THE EMPLOYING BOARD
AND THE EMPLOYEE OF EACH POTENTIAL HEARING OFFICER'S RECORD IN THE LAST
FIVE CASES OF COMMENCING AND COMPLETING HEARINGS WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS
PRESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH TIME PERI-
ODS FOR THE EMPLOYING BOARD AND THE EMPLOYEE TO NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER
OF THEIR AGREED UPON HEARING OFFICER SELECTION. IF THE EMPLOYING BOARD
AND THE EMPLOYEE FAIL TO AGREE ON AN ARBITRATOR TO SERVE AS A HEARING
OFFICER FROM THE LIST OF POTENTIAL HEARING OFFICERS, OR FAIL TO NOTIFY
THE COMMISSIONER OF A SELECTION WITHIN SUCH ESTABLISHED TIME PERIOD, THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL APPOINT A HEARING OFFICER FROM THE LIST.
B. HEARING OFFICERS. ALL HEARINGS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE
CONDUCTED BEFORE AND BY A SINGLE HEARING OFFICER SELECTED AS PROVIDED
FOR IN THIS SECTION. A HEARING OFFICER SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO SERVE IN
SUCH POSITION IF HE OR SHE IS A RESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, OTHER
THAN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE EMPLOYING
BOARD, AN EMPLOYEE, AGENT OR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EMPLOYING BOARD OR OF
ANY LABOR ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING EMPLOYEES OF SUCH EMPLOYING BOARD,
HE OR SHE HAS SERVED AS SUCH AGENT OR REPRESENTATIVE WITHIN TWO YEARS OF
THE DATE OF THE SCHEDULED HEARING, OR IF HE OR SHE IS THEN SERVING AS A
MEDIATOR OR FACT FINDER IN THE SAME SCHOOL DISTRICT. SUBJECT TO AN
APPROPRIATION, THE HEARING OFFICER SHALL BE COMPENSATED BY THE DEPART-
MENT FOR EACH DAY OF ACTUAL SERVICE PLUS NECESSARY TRAVEL AND OTHER
REASONABLE EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS OR HER DUTIES,
PROVIDED THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE FOR MAXIMUM
RATES OF COMPENSATION OF HEARING OFFICERS BASED ON CUSTOMARY AND REASON-
ABLE FEES FOR SERVICE AS AN ARBITRATOR AND PROVIDE FOR LIMITATIONS ON
THE NUMBER OF STUDY HOURS THAT MAY BE CLAIMED.
C. HEARING PROCEDURES. (I) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO
ESTABLISH NECESSARY RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE CONDUCT OF HEARINGS
UNDER THIS SECTION, AND SHALL ESTABLISH TIMELINES IN REGULATIONS TO
ENSURE THAT THE DURATION OF A REMOVAL PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION, AS MEASURED FROM THE DATE AN EMPLOYEE REQUESTS A HEARING TO THE
FINAL HEARING DATE, IS NO LONGER THAN NINETY DAYS IN THE CASE OF AN
EMPLOYEE WHO HAS RECEIVED TWO CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS AND NO
LONGER THAN THIRTY DAYS IN THE CASE OF AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS RECEIVED
THREE CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH
TIMEFRAMES IN REGULATIONS FOR A PRE-HEARING CONFERENCE WHEREIN A HEARING
OFFICER SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO ISSUE SUBPOENAS, HEAR MOTIONS AND DECIDE
ON OTHER DISCOVERY AND EVIDENTIARY ISSUES. AT SUCH PRE-HEARING CONFER-
ENCE, THE HEARING OFFICER SHALL ESTABLISH A HEARING SCHEDULE AT THE
PRE-HEARING CONFERENCE TO ENSURE THAT THE HEARING IS COMPLETED WITHIN
THE REQUIRED TIME PERIOD AND TO ENSURE AN EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF DAYS
BETWEEN THE EMPLOYING BOARD AND THE CHARGED EMPLOYEE. NOTWITHSTANDING
ANY OTHER LAW, RULE OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, NO ADJOURNMENTS MAY
BE GRANTED THAT WOULD EXTEND THE HEARING BEYOND SUCH TIMELINES, EXCEPT
AS AUTHORIZED IN THIS SUBPARAGRAPH. A HEARING OFFICER MAY GRANT A LIMIT-
ED AND TIME SPECIFIC ADJOURNMENT THAT WOULD EXTEND THE HEARING BEYOND
SUCH TIMELINES IF THE HEARING OFFICER DETERMINES THAT THE DELAY IS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO A CIRCUMSTANCE OR OCCURRENCE SUBSTANTIALLY BEYOND THE
CONTROL OF THE REQUESTING PARTY AND AN INJUSTICE WOULD RESULT IF THE
ADJOURNMENT WERE NOT GRANTED.
(II) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO MONITOR AND INVESTIGATE A
HEARING OFFICER'S COMPLIANCE WITH TIMELINES PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND
TO ANY REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
ANNUALLY INFORM ALL HEARING OFFICERS WHO HAVE HEARD CASES PURSUANT TO
THIS SECTION DURING THE PRECEDING YEAR THAT THE TIME PERIODS PRESCRIBED
IN THIS SECTION FOR CONDUCTING SUCH HEARINGS ARE TO BE STRICTLY
FOLLOWED. A RECORD OF CONTINUED FAILURE TO COMMENCE AND COMPLETE HEAR-
INGS WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS PRESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSID-
ERED GROUNDS FOR THE COMMISSIONER TO EXCLUDE SUCH INDIVIDUAL FROM THE
LIST OF POTENTIAL HEARING OFFICERS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR SUCH HEARINGS.
(III) SUCH RULES SHALL NOT REQUIRE COMPLIANCE WITH TECHNICAL RULES OF
EVIDENCE. HEARINGS SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY THE HEARING OFFICER SELECTED
PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH A OF THIS SUBDIVISION AND SHALL BE PUBLIC OR
PRIVATE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE EMPLOYEE. THE EMPLOYEE SHALL HAVE A
REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO DEFEND HIMSELF OR HERSELF AND AN OPPORTUNITY
TO TESTIFY ON HIS OR HER OWN BEHALF. THE EMPLOYEE SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED
TO TESTIFY. EACH PARTY SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE REPRESENTED BY COUN-
SEL, TO SUBPOENA WITNESSES, AND TO CROSS-EXAMINE WITNESSES. ALL TESTIMO-
NY TAKEN SHALL BE UNDER OATH WHICH THE HEARING OFFICER IS HEREBY AUTHOR-
IZED TO ADMINISTER.
(IV) AN ACCURATE RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS SHALL BE KEPT AT THE
EXPENSE OF THE DEPARTMENT AT EACH SUCH HEARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER. A COPY OF THE RECORD OF THE HEARINGS
SHALL, UPON REQUEST, BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE EMPLOYEE AND THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION INVOLVED. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO
UTILIZE ANY NEW TECHNOLOGY OR SUCH OTHER APPROPRIATE MEANS TO TRANSCRIBE
OR RECORD SUCH HEARINGS IN AN ACCURATE, RELIABLE, EFFICIENT AND COST-EF-
FECTIVE MANNER WITHOUT ANY CHARGE TO THE EMPLOYEE OR BOARD OF EDUCATION
INVOLVED.
(V) LEGAL STANDARD. (A) TWO CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT
TO ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND
TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL CONSTITUTE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INCOM-
PETENCE THAT CAN BE OVERCOME ONLY BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT
THE EMPLOYEE IS NOT INCOMPETENT IN LIGHT OF ALL SURROUNDING CIRCUM-
STANCES, AND IF NOT SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME, THE FINDING, ABSENT EXTRAOR-
DINARY CIRCUMSTANCES, SHALL BE JUST CAUSE FOR REMOVAL. (B) THREE CONSEC-
UTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT TO ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
REVIEWS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL
CONSTITUTE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INCOMPETENCE THAT CAN BE OVERCOME
ONLY BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE CALCULATION OF ONE OR
MORE OF THE TEACHER'S OR PRINCIPAL'S UNDERLYING COMPONENTS ON THE ANNUAL
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND
TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE WAS FRAUDULENT, AND
IF NOT SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME, THE FINDING, ABSENT EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUM-
STANCES, SHALL BE JUST CAUSE FOR REMOVAL. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBPARA-
GRAPH, FRAUD SHALL INCLUDE MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
4. POST HEARING PROCEDURES. A. THE HEARING OFFICER SHALL RENDER A
WRITTEN DECISION WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE LAST DAY OF THE FINAL HEARING,
AND SHALL FORWARD A COPY THEREOF TO THE COMMISSIONER WHO SHALL IMME-
DIATELY FORWARD COPIES OF THE DECISION TO THE EMPLOYEE AND TO THE CLERK
OR SECRETARY OF THE EMPLOYING BOARD. THE WRITTEN DECISION SHALL INCLUDE
THE HEARING OFFICER'S FINDINGS OF FACT ON EACH CHARGE, HIS OR HER
CONCLUSIONS WITH REGARD TO EACH CHARGE BASED ON SAID FINDINGS AND SHALL
STATE WHETHER THE PENALTY OF DISMISSAL SHALL BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYING
BOARD.
B. WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THE HEARING OFFICER'S DECISION
THE EMPLOYING BOARD SHALL IMPLEMENT THE DECISION. IF THE EMPLOYEE IS
ACQUITTED HE OR SHE SHALL BE RESTORED TO HIS OR HER POSITION AND THE
CHARGES EXPUNGED FROM THE EMPLOYMENT RECORD.
5. APPEAL. A. NOT LATER THAN TEN DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE HEARING
OFFICER'S DECISION, THE EMPLOYEE OR THE EMPLOYING BOARD MAY MAKE AN
APPLICATION TO THE NEW YORK STATE SUPREME COURT TO VACATE OR MODIFY THE
DECISION OF THE HEARING OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVENTY-FIVE HUNDRED
ELEVEN OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. THE COURT'S REVIEW SHALL BE
LIMITED TO THE GROUNDS SET FORTH IN SUCH SECTION. THE HEARING PANEL'S
DETERMINATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE FINAL FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH
PROCEEDING.
B. IN NO CASE SHALL THE FILING OR THE PENDENCY OF AN APPEAL DELAY THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION OF THE HEARING OFFICER.
6. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PREVENT THE USE OF
ANY EVIDENCE OF PERFORMANCE TO SUPPORT CHARGES OF INCOMPETENCE BROUGHT
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OF THIS
ARTICLE.
S 5. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015 and shall apply to hear-
ings commenced by the filing or service of charges on or after July 1,
2015, provided that effective immediately, the commissioner of education
shall be authorized to promulgate any regulations needed to implement
the provisions of this act on such effective date.
SUBPART H
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 211-f
to read as follows:
S 211-F. TAKEOVER AND RESTRUCTURING FAILING SCHOOLS. 1. ELIGIBILITY
FOR APPOINTMENT OF AN EXTERNAL RECEIVER. (A) FAILING SCHOOLS. THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL DESIGNATE AS FAILING EACH OF THE SCHOOLS THAT HAS
BEEN IDENTIFIED UNDER THE STATE'S ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM TO BE AMONG THE
LOWEST ACHIEVING FIVE PERCENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE (PRIORITY
SCHOOLS) FOR AT LEAST THREE CONSECUTIVE SCHOOL YEARS, OR IDENTIFIED AS A
"PRIORITY SCHOOL" IN EACH APPLICABLE YEAR OF SUCH PERIOD EXCEPT ONE
SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH THE SCHOOL WAS NOT IDENTIFIED BECAUSE OF AN
APPROVED CLOSURE PLAN THAT WAS NOT IMPLEMENTED, BASED UPON MEASURES OF
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND OUTCOMES AND A METHODOLOGY PRESCRIBED IN THE
REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER, PROVIDED THAT THIS LIST SHALL NOT
INCLUDE SCHOOLS WITHIN A SPECIAL ACT SCHOOL DISTRICT AS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION EIGHT OF SECTION FOUR THOUSAND ONE OF THIS CHAPTER OR
SCHOOLS CHARTERED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER. EXCEPT
AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, AND PURSUANT
TO REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSIONER, A SCHOOL DESIGNATED AS
FAILING UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR RECEIVERSHIP UNDER
THIS SECTION UPON A DETERMINATION BY THE COMMISSIONER.
(B) PERSISTENTLY FAILING SCHOOLS. BASED UPON MEASURES OF STUDENT
ACHIEVEMENT AND OUTCOMES AND A METHODOLOGY PRESCRIBED IN THE REGULATIONS
OF THE COMMISSIONER, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DESIGNATE AS PERSISTENTLY
FAILING EACH OF THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED UNDER THE STATE'S
ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM TO BE AMONG THE LOWEST ACHIEVING PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN
THE STATE FOR TEN CONSECUTIVE SCHOOL YEARS, BASED UPON IDENTIFICATION OF
THE SCHOOL BY THE COMMISSIONER AS: A "PRIORITY SCHOOL" FOR EACH APPLICA-
BLE YEAR FROM THE TWO THOUSAND TWELVE--TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN SCHOOL YEAR
TO THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR, OR IDENTIFIED AS A "PRIORITY SCHOOL" IN EACH
APPLICABLE YEAR OF SUCH PERIOD EXCEPT ONE YEAR IN WHICH THE SCHOOL WAS
NOT IDENTIFIED BECAUSE OF AN APPROVED CLOSURE PLAN THAT WAS NOT IMPLE-
MENTED; AND AS A "SCHOOL REQUIRING ACADEMIC PROGRESS YEAR 5", "SCHOOL
REQUIRING ACADEMIC PROGRESS YEAR 6", "SCHOOL REQUIRING ACADEMIC PROGRESS
YEAR 7" AND/OR A "SCHOOL IN RESTRUCTURING," FOR EACH APPLICABLE YEAR
FROM THE TWO THOUSAND SIX--TWO THOUSAND SEVEN SCHOOL YEAR TO THE TWO
THOUSAND ELEVEN--TWO THOUSAND TWELVE SCHOOL YEAR. THIS DESIGNATION SHALL
NOT INCLUDE SCHOOLS WITHIN A SPECIAL ACT SCHOOL DISTRICT AS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION EIGHT OF SECTION FOUR THOUSAND ONE OF THIS CHAPTER OR
SCHOOLS CHARTERED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER.
(C) SPECIFIC PROVISIONS. (I) FOR SCHOOLS DESIGNATED AS PERSISTENTLY
FAILING PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE LOCAL
DISTRICT SHALL CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE SCHOOL FOR AN ADDITIONAL SCHOOL
YEAR PROVIDED THAT THERE IS A DEPARTMENT-APPROVED INTERVENTION MODEL OR
COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PLAN IN PLACE THAT INCLUDES RIGOROUS PERFORMANCE
METRICS AND GOALS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MEASURES OF STUDENT
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND OUTCOMES INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH IN SUBDIVI-
SION SIX OF THIS SECTION. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW,
RULE OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL BE VESTED
WITH ALL POWERS GRANTED TO A RECEIVER APPOINTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
FOR SUCH TIME PERIOD; PROVIDED, HOWEVER THAT SUCH SUPERINTENDENT SHALL
NOT BE ALLOWED TO OVERRIDE ANY DECISION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WITH
RESPECT TO HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT STATUS. AT THE END OF SUCH YEAR, THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE REVIEW IN CONSULTATION AND COOP-
ERATION WITH THE DISTRICT AND SCHOOL STAFF TO DETERMINE, BASED ON THE
PERFORMANCE METRICS IN THE SCHOOL'S MODEL OR PLAN, WHETHER (1) THE
DESIGNATION OF PERSISTENTLY FAILING SHOULD BE REMOVED; (2) THE SCHOOL
SHOULD REMAIN UNDER CONTINUED SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATION WITH THE SUPER-
INTENDENT VESTED WITH THE POWERS OF A RECEIVER; OR (3) THE SCHOOL SHOULD
BE PLACED INTO RECEIVERSHIP; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT A SCHOOL THAT MAKES
DEMONSTRABLE IMPROVEMENT BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE METRICS AND GOALS
HEREIN SHALL REMAIN UNDER DISTRICT OPERATION FOR AN ADDITIONAL SCHOOL
YEAR AND IF SUCH SCHOOL REMAINS UNDER DISTRICT OPERATION, IT SHALL
CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL REVIEW BY THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTA-
TION AND COOPERATION WITH THE DISTRICT, UNDER THE SAME TERMS AND CONDI-
TIONS.
(II) FOR SCHOOLS DESIGNATED AS FAILING, BUT NOT PERSISTENTLY FAILING,
THE LOCAL DISTRICT SHALL CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE SCHOOL FOR TWO ADDI-
TIONAL SCHOOL YEARS PROVIDED THAT THERE IS A DEPARTMENT-APPROVED INTER-
VENTION MODEL OR COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PLAN IN PLACE THAT INCLUDES
RIGOROUS PERFORMANCE METRICS AND GOALS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
MEASURES OF STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND OUTCOMES INCLUDING THOSE
SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION SIX OF THIS SECTION. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW, RULE OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, THE SUPERINTENDENT
SHALL BE VESTED WITH ALL POWERS GRANTED TO A RECEIVER APPOINTED PURSUANT
TO THIS SECTION; PROVIDED, HOWEVER THAT SUCH SUPERINTENDENT SHALL NOT BE
ALLOWED TO OVERRIDE ANY DECISION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WITH RESPECT
TO HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT STATUS. AT THE END OF SUCH TWO YEARS, THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL CONDUCT A SCHOOL PERFORMANCE REVIEW IN CONSULTATION AND
COOPERATION WITH THE DISTRICT AND SCHOOL STAFF TO DETERMINE, BASED ON
THE PERFORMANCE METRICS IN THE SCHOOL'S MODEL OR PLAN, WHETHER (1) THE
DESIGNATION OF FAILING SHOULD BE REMOVED; (2) THE SCHOOL SHOULD REMAIN
UNDER CONTINUED SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATION WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT VESTED
WITH THE POWERS OF A RECEIVER; OR (3) THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE PLACED INTO
RECEIVERSHIP; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT A SCHOOL THAT MAKES DEMONSTRABLE
IMPROVEMENT BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE METRICS AND GOALS HEREIN SHALL
REMAIN UNDER DISTRICT OPERATION FOR AN ADDITIONAL SCHOOL YEAR AND IF
SUCH SCHOOL REMAINS UNDER DISTRICT OPERATION, IT SHALL CONTINUE TO BE
SUBJECT TO SUCH ANNUAL REVIEW BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE SAME TERMS AND
CONDITIONS. FOR SCHOOLS NEWLY DESIGNATED AS FAILING AFTER THE TWO THOU-
SAND SIXTEEN--TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN SCHOOL YEAR, THE SCHOOL SHALL BE
IMMEDIATELY ELIGIBLE FOR RECEIVERSHIP UPON SUCH DESIGNATION.
(III) NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT (1) A
SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ABILITY TO MODIFY, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE DEPART-
MENT, SUCH DEPARTMENT APPROVED INTERVENTION MODEL OR COMPREHENSIVE
EDUCATION PLAN, OR (2) THE COMMISSIONER'S ABILITY TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL
DISTRICT TO MODIFY SUCH DEPARTMENT APPROVED INTERVENTION MODEL OR
COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PLAN AND REQUIRE HIS OR HER APPROVAL OF SUCH
MODIFICATIONS.
(IV) THE DISTRICT SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF THE
STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL WHICH MAY BE PLACED INTO RECEIVERSHIP PURSUANT TO
THIS SUBDIVISION AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT THE DISTRICT OR THE COMMIS-
SIONER SHALL HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING OR HEARING FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SCHOOL AND THE CONSTRUCT OF RECEIVERSHIP.
1-A. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM. UPON DESIGNATION AS FAILING OR PERSIS-
TENTLY FAILING PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION, THE DISTRICT
SHALL ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM WHICH SHALL INCLUDE COMMUNI-
TY STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL,
PARENTS AND GUARDIANS, TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENTS.
MEMBERSHIP OF SUCH TEAM MAY BE MODIFIED AT ANY TIME. SUCH TEAM SHALL
DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE SCHOOL AND SHALL SOLICIT
INPUT THROUGH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. THE TEAM SHALL PRESENT ITS RECOMMENDA-
TIONS PERIODICALLY TO THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AND, AS APPLICABLE, THE
RECEIVER.
2. APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER. (A) UPON A DETERMINATION BY THE COMMIS-
SIONER THAT A SCHOOL SHALL BE PLACED INTO RECEIVERSHIP, THE APPLICABLE
SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL APPOINT AN INDEPENDENT RECEIVER, SUBJECT TO THE
APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER, TO MANAGE AND OPERATE ALL ASPECTS OF THE
SCHOOL AND TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN FOR THE
SCHOOL THAT SHALL CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS DEVELOPED BY THE COMMUNI-
TY ENGAGEMENT TEAM WHEN CREATING SUCH PLAN. THE INDEPENDENT RECEIVER MAY
BE A NON-PROFIT ENTITY, ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT, OR AN INDIVIDUAL. IF
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FAILS TO APPOINT AN INDEPENDENT RECEIVER THAT MEETS
WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S APPROVAL WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF SUCH DETERMI-
NATION, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL APPOINT THE RECEIVER.
(B) THE RECEIVER SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO MANAGE AND OPERATE THE FAILING
OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING SCHOOL AND SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO SUPERSEDE ANY
DECISION, POLICY OR REGULATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS OR CHIEF
SCHOOL OFFICER, OR OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OR ANOTHER SCHOOL OFFICER
OR THE BUILDING PRINCIPAL THAT IN THE SOLE JUDGMENT OF THE RECEIVER
CONFLICTS WITH THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN; PROVIDED HOWEVER THAT THE
RECEIVER MAY NOT SUPERSEDE DECISIONS THAT ARE NOT DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE
SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BUILDING USAGE
PLANS, CO-LOCATION DECISIONS AND TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS. THE RECEIV-
ER SHALL HAVE AUTHORITY TO REVIEW PROPOSED SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGETS PRIOR
TO PRESENTATION TO THE DISTRICT VOTERS, OR IN THE CASE OF A CITY SCHOOL
DISTRICT IN A CITY HAVING A POPULATION OF ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE THOU-
SAND OR MORE, OF THE ADOPTION OF A CONTINGENCY BUDGET, PRIOR TO APPROVAL
BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND TO MODIFY THE PROPOSED BUDGET TO CONFORM
TO THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN PROVIDED THAT SUCH MODIFICATIONS SHALL
BE LIMITED IN SCOPE AND EFFECT TO THE FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING
SCHOOL AND MAY NOT UNDULY IMPACT OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT. A SCHOOL
UNDER RECEIVERSHIP SHALL OPERATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAWS REGULATING
OTHER PUBLIC SCHOOLS, EXCEPT AS SUCH PROVISIONS MAY CONFLICT WITH THIS
SECTION.
(C) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONTRACT WITH THE RECEIVER, AND THE COMPEN-
SATION AND OTHER COSTS OF THE RECEIVER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER
SHALL BE PAID FROM A STATE APPROPRIATION FOR SUCH PURPOSE, OR BY THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT, AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER, PROVIDED THAT COSTS
SHALL BE PAID BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ONLY IF THERE IS AN OPEN ADMINIS-
TRATIVE STAFFING LINE AVAILABLE FOR THE RECEIVER, AND THE RECEIVER WILL
BE TAKING ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUCH OPEN LINE. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY
OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE RECEIVER AND ANY OF ITS
EMPLOYEES PROVIDING SERVICES IN THE RECEIVERSHIP SHALL BE ENTITLED TO
DEFENSE AND INDEMNIFICATION BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO THE SAME EXTENT AS
A SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE. THE RECEIVER'S CONTRACT MAY BE TERMINATED BY
THE COMMISSIONER FOR A VIOLATION OF LAW OR THE COMMISSIONER'S REGU-
LATIONS OR FOR NEGLECT OF DUTY. A RECEIVER APPOINTED TO OPERATE A
DISTRICT UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL HAVE FULL MANAGERIAL AND OPERATIONAL
CONTROL OVER SUCH SCHOOL; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
SHALL REMAIN THE EMPLOYER OF RECORD, AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT ANY
EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY BE SUPERSEDED BY THE
RECEIVER. IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE SUPER-
INTENDENT OF SCHOOLS TO FULLY COOPERATE WITH THE RECEIVER AND WILLFUL
FAILURE TO COOPERATE OR INTERFERENCE WITH THE FUNCTIONS OF THE RECEIVER
SHALL CONSTITUTE WILLFUL NEGLECT OF DUTY FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION THREE
HUNDRED SIX OF THIS TITLE. THE RECEIVER OR THE RECEIVER'S DESIGNEE SHALL
BE AN EX OFFICIO NON-VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ENTITLED TO
ATTEND ALL MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
3. BEFORE DEVELOPING THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN, THE RECEIVER SHALL
CONSULT WITH LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS SUCH AS: (A) THE BOARD OF EDUCATION; (B)
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS; (C) THE BUILDING PRINCIPAL; (D) TEACHERS
ASSIGNED TO THE SCHOOL AND THEIR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVE;
(E) SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ASSIGNED TO THE SCHOOL AND THEIR COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVE; (F) PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF STUDENTS ATTEND-
ING THE SCHOOL OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES; (G) REPRESENTATIVES OF APPLICA-
BLE STATE AND LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE, HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES;
(H) AS APPROPRIATE, REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL CAREER EDUCATION PROVIDERS,
STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AND THE LOCAL BUSINESS
COMMUNITY; (I) FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL PREKIN-
DERGARTEN PROGRAMS; (J) STUDENTS ATTENDING THE SCHOOL AS APPROPRIATE;
(K) AS NEEDED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS, JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS, CENTRAL SCHOOLS
OR HIGH SCHOOLS, REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS;
AND (L) THE SCHOOL STAKEHOLDER TEAM SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION ONE-A OF
THIS SECTION.
4. IN CREATING THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN, THE RECEIVER SHALL (I)
CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS DEVELOPED BY THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM
SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION ONE-A OF THIS SECTION; (II) INCLUDE PROVISIONS
INTENDED TO MAXIMIZE THE RAPID ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF STUDENTS AT THE
SCHOOL; AND (III) ENSURE THAT THE PLAN ADDRESSES SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AND
CAPACITY, SCHOOL LEADER PRACTICES AND DECISIONS, CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
AND SUPPORT, TEACHER PRACTICES AND DECISIONS, STUDENT SOCIAL AND
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL HEALTH, AND FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THE
RECEIVER SHALL, TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, BASE THE PLAN ON THE FINDINGS
OF ANY RECENT DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW OR ASSESSMENT OF THE SCHOOL THAT HAS
BEEN CONDUCTED AND, AS APPLIED TO THE SCHOOL, STUDENT OUTCOME DATA
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: (A) STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT GROWTH DATA BASED
ON STATE MEASURES; (B) OTHER MEASURES OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT; (C)
STUDENT PROMOTION AND GRADUATION RATES; (D) ACHIEVEMENT AND GROWTH DATA
FOR THE SUBGROUPS OF STUDENTS USED IN THE STATE'S ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM;
(E) STUDENT ATTENDANCE; AND (F) LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM SUSPENSION
RATES.
5. (A) THE RECEIVER SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN THE SCHOOL INTER-
VENTION PLAN: (I) MEASURES TO ADDRESS SOCIAL SERVICE, HEALTH AND MENTAL
HEALTH NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL AND THEIR FAMILIES IN ORDER TO
HELP STUDENTS ARRIVE AND REMAIN AT SCHOOL READY TO LEARN; PROVIDED THAT
THIS MAY INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SCREENING; (II) MEAS-
URES TO IMPROVE OR EXPAND ACCESS TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES AND, AS
APPROPRIATE, SERVICES IN THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY TO PROMOTE A SAFE AND
SECURE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT; (III) AS APPLICABLE, MEASURES TO PROVIDE
GREATER ACCESS TO CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOP-
MENT SERVICES PROVIDED TO STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL AND THEIR FAMILIES IN
ORDER TO PROVIDE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITH MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT SKILLS
AND OPPORTUNITIES; (IV) MEASURES TO ADDRESS ACHIEVEMENT GAPS FOR ENGLISH
LANGUAGE LEARNERS, STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVAN-
TAGED STUDENTS, AS APPLICABLE; (V) MEASURES TO ADDRESS SCHOOL CLIMATE
AND POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT, INCLUDING MENTORING AND OTHER YOUTH
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS; AND (VI) A BUDGET FOR THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION
PLAN.
(B) AS NECESSARY, THE COMMISSIONER AND THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND OTHER APPLICABLE STATE AND LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE,
HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AND CHILD WELFARE OFFICIALS SHALL COORDINATE
REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEASURES DESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPHS
(I) THROUGH (III) OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION THAT ARE INCLUDED
IN THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN AND SHALL, SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION,
REASONABLY SUPPORT SUCH IMPLEMENTATION CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS
OF STATE AND FEDERAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE RELEVANT PROGRAMS THAT EACH
SUCH OFFICIAL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING, AND GRANT FAILING
SCHOOLS PRIORITY IN COMPETITIVE GRANTS, AS ALLOWABLE BEFORE AND DURING
THE PERIOD OF RECEIVERSHIP.
6. IN ORDER TO ASSESS THE SCHOOL ACROSS MULTIPLE MEASURES OF SCHOOL
PERFORMANCE AND STUDENT SUCCESS, THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN SHALL
INCLUDE MEASURABLE ANNUAL GOALS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
FOLLOWING: (A) STUDENT ATTENDANCE; (B) STUDENT DISCIPLINE INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM SUSPENSION RATES; (C) STUDENT
SAFETY; (D) STUDENT PROMOTION AND GRADUATION AND DROP-OUT RATES; (E)
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND GROWTH ON STATE MEASURES; (F) PROGRESS IN AREAS
OF ACADEMIC UNDERPERFORMANCE; (G) PROGRESS AMONG THE SUBGROUPS OF
STUDENTS USED IN THE STATE'S ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM; (H) REDUCTION OF
ACHIEVEMENT GAPS AMONG SPECIFIC GROUPS OF STUDENTS; (I) DEVELOPMENT OF
COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS, INCLUDING AT THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE
SCHOOL LEVELS; (J) PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT; (K) BUILDING A CULTURE
OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS AMONG STUDENTS; (L) BUILDING A CULTURE OF STUDENT
SUPPORT AND SUCCESS AMONG FACULTY AND STAFF; (M) USING DEVELOPMENTALLY
APPROPRIATE CHILD ASSESSMENTS FROM PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE,
IF APPLICABLE, THAT ARE TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL; AND (N)
MEASURES OF STUDENT LEARNING.
7. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY GENERAL OR SPECIAL LAW TO THE CONTRARY, IN
CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN, THE RECEIVER
SHALL, AFTER CONSULTING WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
TEAM, CONVERT SCHOOLS TO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE EXPANDED HEALTH,
MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER SERVICES TO THE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
IN ADDITION, THE RECEIVER MAY: (I) REVIEW AND IF NECESSARY EXPAND, ALTER
OR REPLACE THE CURRICULUM AND PROGRAM OFFERINGS OF THE SCHOOL, INCLUDING
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESEARCH-BASED EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMS, EARLY
INTERVENTIONS FOR STRUGGLING READERS AND THE TEACHING OF ADVANCED PLACE-
MENT COURSES OR OTHER RIGOROUS NATIONALLY OR INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
COURSES, IF THE SCHOOL DOES NOT ALREADY HAVE SUCH PROGRAMS OR COURSES;
(II) REPLACE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS, INCLUDING SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
WHO ARE NOT APPROPRIATELY CERTIFIED OR LICENSED; (III) INCREASE SALARIES
OF CURRENT OR PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO ATTRACT AND
RETAIN HIGH-PERFORMING TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS; (IV) ESTABLISH STEPS
TO IMPROVE HIRING, INDUCTION, TEACHER EVALUATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP-
MENT, TEACHER ADVANCEMENT, SCHOOL CULTURE AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE;
(V) REALLOCATE THE USES OF THE EXISTING BUDGET OF THE SCHOOL; (VI)
EXPAND THE SCHOOL DAY OR SCHOOL YEAR OR BOTH OF THE SCHOOL; (VII) FOR A
SCHOOL THAT OFFERS THE FIRST GRADE, ADD PRE-KINDERGARTEN AND FULL-DAY
KINDERGARTEN CLASSES, IF THE SCHOOL DOES NOT ALREADY HAVE SUCH CLASSES;
(VIII) IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPHS (B) AND (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, TO
ABOLISH THE POSITIONS OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING AND ADMINISTRATIVE
AND SUPERVISORY STAFF ASSIGNED TO THE FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING
SCHOOL AND TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT OF ANY BUILDING PRINCIPAL ASSIGNED
TO SUCH A SCHOOL, AND REQUIRE SUCH STAFF MEMBERS TO REAPPLY FOR THEIR
POSITIONS IN THE SCHOOL IF THEY SO CHOOSE; (IX) INCLUDE A PROVISION OF A
JOB-EMBEDDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS AT THE SCHOOL, WITH
AN EMPHASIS ON STRATEGIES THAT INVOLVE TEACHER INPUT AND FEEDBACK; (X)
ESTABLISH A PLAN FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR ADMINISTRATORS AT THE
SCHOOL, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON STRATEGIES THAT DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS
AND USE THE PRINCIPLES OF DISTRIBUTIVE LEADERSHIP; AND/OR (XI) ORDER THE
CONVERSION OF A SCHOOL IN RECEIVERSHIP THAT HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS FAIL-
ING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION INTO A CHARTER
SCHOOL, PROVIDED THAT SUCH CONVERSION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ARTICLE
FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT SUCH CHARTER CONVER-
SION SCHOOL SHALL OPERATE PURSUANT TO SUCH ARTICLE AND PROVIDED FURTHER
THAT SUCH CHARTER CONVERSION SCHOOL SHALL OPERATE CONSISTENT WITH A
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS MODEL AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT SUCH CONVERSION CHAR-
TER SCHOOL SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS IN SUBDIVISIONS THREE,
FOUR, FIVE, SIX, NINE, TEN, ELEVEN, TWELVE AND THIRTEEN OF THIS SECTION.
(B) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, RULE OR REGULATION TO
THE CONTRARY, UPON DESIGNATION OF ANY SCHOOL OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AS A
FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING SCHOOL PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, THE
ABOLITION OF POSITIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND
SUPERVISORY STAFF OF THE SCHOOL SHALL THEREAFTER BE GOVERNED BY THE
APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED TEN, TWENTY-FIVE
HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE, TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OR THREE THOUSAND
THIRTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER AS MODIFIED BY THIS PARAGRAPH. A CLASSROOM
TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL WHO HAS RECEIVED TWO OR MORE COMPOSITE
RATINGS OF INEFFECTIVE ON AN ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW
SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO HAVE RENDERED FAITHFUL AND COMPETENT SERVICE
WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED TEN, TWENTY-FIVE
HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE, TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OR THREE THOUSAND
THIRTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER. WHEN A POSITION OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER OR
BUILDING PRINCIPAL IS ABOLISHED, THE SERVICES OF THE TEACHER OR ADMINIS-
TRATOR OR SUPERVISOR WITHIN THE TENURE AREA OF THE POSITION WITH THE
LOWEST RATING ON THE MOST RECENT ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW
SHALL BE DISCONTINUED, PROVIDED THAT SENIORITY WITHIN THE TENURE AREA OF
THE POSITION SHALL BE USED SOLELY TO DETERMINE WHICH POSITION SHOULD BE
DISCONTINUED IN THE EVENT OF A TIE.
(C) THE RECEIVER MAY ABOLISH THE POSITIONS OF ALL TEACHERS AND PEDA-
GOGICAL SUPPORT STAFF, ADMINISTRATORS AND PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICE
PROVIDERS ASSIGNED TO A SCHOOL DESIGNATED AS FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY
FAILING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND REQUIRE SUCH STAFF MEMBERS TO REAP-
PLY FOR NEW POSITIONS IF THEY SO CHOOSE. THE RECEIVER SHALL DEFINE NEW
POSITIONS FOR THE SCHOOL ALIGNED WITH THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN,
INCLUDING SELECTION CRITERIA AND EXPECTED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR EACH POSITION. FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICE
PROVIDERS, THE RECEIVER SHALL HAVE FULL DISCRETION OVER ALL SUCH REHIR-
ING DECISIONS. FOR TEACHERS AND PEDAGOGICAL SUPPORT STAFF, THE RECEIVER
SHALL CONVENE A STAFFING COMMITTEE INCLUDING THE RECEIVER, TWO APPOINT-
EES OF THE RECEIVER AND TWO APPOINTEES SELECTED BY THE SCHOOL STAFF OR
THEIR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT. THE STAFFING COMMITTEE WILL DETERMINE
WHETHER FORMER SCHOOL STAFF REAPPLYING FOR POSITIONS ARE QUALIFIED FOR
THE NEW POSITIONS. THE RECEIVER SHALL HAVE FULL DISCRETION REGARDING
HIRING DECISIONS BUT MUST FILL AT LEAST FIFTY PERCENT OF THE NEWLY
DEFINED POSITIONS WITH THE MOST SENIOR FORMER SCHOOL STAFF WHO ARE
DETERMINED BY THE STAFFING COMMITTEE TO BE QUALIFIED. ANY REMAINING
VACANCIES SHALL BE FILLED BY THE RECEIVER IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
STAFFING COMMITTEE. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE
CONTRARY, A MEMBER OF THE TEACHING AND PEDAGOGICAL SUPPORT, ADMINISTRA-
TIVE, OR PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICE STAFF WHO IS NOT REHIRED PURSUANT TO
THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT HAVE ANY RIGHT TO BUMP OR DISPLACE ANY OTHER
PERSON EMPLOYED BY THE DISTRICT, BUT SHALL BE PLACED ON A PREFERRED
ELIGIBILITY LIST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF SECTION
TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED TEN, TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE, TWENTY-FIVE
HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OR THREE THOUSAND THIRTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER. TEACH-
ERS REHIRED PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL MAINTAIN THEIR PRIOR STATUS
AS TENURED OR PROBATIONARY, AND A PROBATIONARY TEACHER'S PROBATION PERI-
OD SHALL NOT BE CHANGED.
(D) FOR A SCHOOL WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, THE PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING TIME FOR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS IDENTIFIED
IN CLAUSES (VI) AND (VII) OF THE CLOSING PARAGRAPH OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF
THIS SUBDIVISION, SHALL INCLUDE SPECIFIC STRATEGIES AND CONTENT DESIGNED
TO MAXIMIZE THE RAPID ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEAR-
NERS.
8. (A) IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE THE RAPID ACHIEVEMENT OF STUDENTS AT THE
APPLICABLE SCHOOL, THE RECEIVER MAY REQUEST THAT THE COLLECTIVE BARGAIN-
ING UNIT OR UNITS REPRESENTING TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND THE
RECEIVER, ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, NEGOTIATE A RECEIVERSHIP
AGREEMENT THAT MODIFIES THE APPLICABLE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
OR AGREEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO ANY FAILING SCHOOLS IN RECEIVERSHIP APPLI-
CABLE DURING THE PERIOD OF RECEIVERSHIP. THE RECEIVERSHIP AGREEMENT MAY
ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS: THE LENGTH OF THE SCHOOL DAY; THE LENGTH
OF THE SCHOOL YEAR; PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS AND ADMINIS-
TRATORS; CLASS SIZE; AND CHANGES TO THE PROGRAMS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND
TEACHING CONDITIONS IN THE SCHOOL IN RECEIVERSHIP. THE RECEIVERSHIP
AGREEMENT SHALL NOT PROVIDE FOR ANY REDUCTION IN COMPENSATION UNLESS
THERE SHALL ALSO BE A PROPORTIONATE REDUCTION IN HOURS AND SHALL PROVIDE
FOR A PROPORTIONATE INCREASE IN COMPENSATION WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE
SCHOOL DAY OR SCHOOL YEAR IS EXTENDED. THE RECEIVERSHIP AGREEMENT SHALL
NOT ALTER THE REMAINING TERMS OF THE EXISTING/UNDERLYING COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING AGREEMENT WHICH SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT.
(B) THE BARGAINING SHALL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN THE RECEIVER AND THE
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT IN GOOD FAITH AND COMPLETED NOT LATER THAN
THIRTY DAYS FROM THE POINT AT WHICH THE RECEIVER REQUESTED THAT THE
BARGAINING COMMENCE. THE AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO RATIFICATION
WITHIN TEN BUSINESS DAYS BY THE BARGAINING UNIT MEMBERS IN THE SCHOOL.
IF THE PARTIES ARE UNABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OR IF
THE AGREEMENT IS NOT RATIFIED WITHIN TEN BUSINESS DAYS BY THE BARGAINING
UNIT MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL, THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT ANY REMAINING UNRE-
SOLVED ISSUES TO THE COMMISSIONER WHO SHALL RESOLVE ANY UNRESOLVED
ISSUES WITHIN FIVE DAYS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD COLLECTIVE BARGAIN-
ING PRINCIPLES.
(C) FOR PURPOSES ONLY FOR SCHOOLS DESIGNATED AS FAILING PURSUANT TO
SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF PARAGRAPH (C) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION,
BARGAINING SHALL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN THE RECEIVER AND THE COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING UNIT IN GOOD FAITH AND COMPLETED NOT LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS
FROM THE POINT AT WHICH THE RECEIVER REQUESTED THAT THE BARGAINING
COMMENCE. THE AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO RATIFICATION WITHIN TEN
BUSINESS DAYS BY THE BARGAINING UNIT MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL. IF THE
PARTIES ARE UNABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OR IF THE
AGREEMENT IS NOT RATIFIED WITHIN TEN BUSINESS DAYS BY THE BARGAINING
UNIT MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL, A CONCILIATOR SHALL BE SELECTED THROUGH THE
AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION, WHO SHALL FORTHWITH FORWARD TO THE
PARTIES A LIST OF THREE CONCILIATORS, EACH OF WHOM SHALL HAVE PROFES-
SIONAL EXPERIENCE IN ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, FROM WHICH THE
PARTIES MAY AGREE UPON A SINGLE CONCILIATOR PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF
THE PARTIES CANNOT SELECT A CONCILIATOR FROM AMONG THE THREE WITHIN
THREE BUSINESS DAYS, THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION SHALL SELECT A
CONCILIATOR FROM THE LIST OF NAMES WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY, AND THE
CONCILIATOR SHALL RESOLVE ALL OUTSTANDING ISSUES WITHIN FIVE DAYS. AFTER
SUCH FIVE DAYS, IF ANY UNRESOLVED ISSUES REMAIN, THE PARTIES SHALL
SUBMIT SUCH ISSUES TO THE COMMISSIONER WHO SHALL RESOLVE SUCH ISSUES
WITHIN FIVE DAYS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
PRINCIPLES.
9. A FINAL SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE COMMIS-
SIONER FOR APPROVAL AND, UPON APPROVAL, SHALL BE ISSUED BY THE RECEIVER
WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE RECEIVER'S APPOINTMENT. A COPY OF SUCH PLAN
SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS AND THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVES OF TEACHERS AND
ADMINISTRATORS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE PLAN SHALL BE PUBLICLY AVAIL-
ABLE AND SHALL BE POSTED ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE AND THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT'S WEBSITE, AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE TO
PARENTS OF SUCH SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN AND ITS AVAILABILITY.
10. EACH SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN SHALL BE AUTHORIZED FOR A PERIOD OF
NOT MORE THAN THREE YEARS. THE RECEIVER MAY DEVELOP ADDITIONAL COMPO-
NENTS OF THE PLAN AND SHALL DEVELOP ANNUAL GOALS FOR EACH COMPONENT OF
THE PLAN IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THIS SECTION, ALL OF WHICH MUST BE
APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER. THE RECEIVER SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
MEETING THE GOALS OF THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN.
11. THE RECEIVER SHALL PROVIDE A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE BOARD OF EDUCA-
TION, THE COMMISSIONER, AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS TO
PROVIDE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRESS BEING MADE ON THE IMPLE-
MENTATION OF THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN. ONE OF THE QUARTERLY REPORTS
SHALL BE THE ANNUAL EVALUATION OF THE INTERVENTION PLAN UNDER SUBDIVI-
SION TWELVE OF THIS SECTION.
12. (A) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL, IN CONSULTATION AND COOPERATION WITH
THE DISTRICT AND THE SCHOOL STAFF, EVALUATE EACH SCHOOL WITH AN
APPOINTED RECEIVER AT LEAST ANNUALLY. THE PURPOSE OF THE EVALUATION
SHALL BE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SCHOOL HAS MET THE ANNUAL GOALS IN ITS
SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN AND TO ASSESS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN AT
THE SCHOOL. THE EVALUATION SHALL BE IN WRITING AND SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO
THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER
FIRST FOR THE PRECEDING SCHOOL YEAR. THE EVALUATION SHALL BE SUBMITTED
IN A FORMAT DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
(B) IF THE COMMISSIONER DETERMINES THAT THE SCHOOL HAS MET THE ANNUAL
PERFORMANCE GOALS STATED IN THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN, THE EVALUATION
SHALL BE CONSIDERED SUFFICIENT AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHOOL
INTERVENTION PLAN SHALL CONTINUE. IF THE COMMISSIONER DETERMINES THAT
THE SCHOOL HAS NOT MET ONE OR MORE GOALS IN THE PLAN, THE COMMISSIONER
MAY REQUIRE MODIFICATION OF THE PLAN.
13. UPON THE EXPIRATION OF A SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN FOR A SCHOOL
WITH AN APPOINTED RECEIVER, THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION AND COOP-
ERATION WITH THE DISTRICT, SHALL CONDUCT AN EVALUATION OF THE SCHOOL TO
DETERMINE WHETHER THE SCHOOL HAS IMPROVED SUFFICIENTLY, REQUIRES FURTHER
IMPROVEMENT OR HAS FAILED TO IMPROVE. ON THE BASIS OF SUCH REVIEW, THE
COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION AND COOPERATION WITH THE DISTRICT, MAY:
(A) RENEW THE PLAN WITH THE RECEIVER FOR AN ADDITIONAL PERIOD OF NOT
MORE THAN THREE YEARS; (B) IF THE FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING SCHOOL
REMAINS FAILING AND THE TERMS OF THE PLAN HAVE NOT BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY
MET, TERMINATE THE CONTRACT WITH THE RECEIVER AND APPOINT A NEW RECEIV-
ER; OR (C) DETERMINE THAT THE SCHOOL HAS IMPROVED SUFFICIENTLY FOR THE
DESIGNATION OF FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING TO BE REMOVED.
14. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PROHIBIT THE COMMISSIONER OR A LOCAL
DISTRICT FROM CLOSING A SCHOOL PURSUANT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE
COMMISSIONER.
15. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO ADOPT REGULATIONS TO CARRY
OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
16. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL REPORT ANNUALLY TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE
LEGISLATURE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND FISCAL IMPACT OF THIS SECTION. THE
REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, A LIST OF ALL SCHOOLS
CURRENTLY DESIGNATED AS FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING AND THE STRATE-
GIES USED IN EACH OF THE SCHOOLS TO MAXIMIZE THE RAPID ACADEMIC ACHIEVE-
MENT OF STUDENTS.
17. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PROVIDE ANY RELEVANT DATA THAT IS NEEDED TO
IMPLEMENT AND COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF
TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN WHICH ADDED THIS SECTION TO ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT
THAT HAS A SCHOOL OR SCHOOLS DESIGNATED AS FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAIL-
ING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION BY AUGUST FIFTEENTH OF EACH YEAR, TO THE
FULLEST EXTENT PRACTICABLE. PROVIDED THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO DISTRICTS AND MAY ESTABLISH A MODEL INTERVENTION
PLAN. AND PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE
TO THE PUBLIC ANY SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN, OR OTHER DEPARTMENT-APPROVED
INTERVENTION MODEL OR COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PLAN OF A SCHOOL OR
DISTRICT PROVIDED THAT SUCH MEASURES ARE CONSISTENT WITH ALL FEDERAL AND
STATE PRIVACY LAWS.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
S 3. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi-
sion, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by a court of compe-
tent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair,
or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its opera-
tion to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part
thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment
shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of the
legislature that this act would have been enacted even if such invalid
provisions had not been included herein.
S 4. This act shall take effect immediately provided, however, that
the applicable effective date of Subparts A through H of this act shall
be as specifically set forth in the last section of such Subparts.
S 2. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi-
sion, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,
impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in
its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section
or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg-
ment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of
the legislature that this act would have been enacted even if such
invalid provisions had not been included herein.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately provided, however, that
the applicable effective date of Parts A through EE of this act shall be
as specifically set forth in the last section of such Parts.
SUBPART A
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 669-f
to read as follows:
S 669-F. NEW YORK STATE MASTERS-IN-EDUCATION TEACHER INCENTIVE SCHOL-
ARSHIP PROGRAM. 1. ELIGIBILITY. STUDENTS WHO ARE MATRICULATED IN AN
APPROVED MASTER'S DEGREE IN EDUCATION PROGRAM AT A NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC
INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION LEADING TO A CAREER AS A TEACHER IN
PUBLIC ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY EDUCATION SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN AWARD
UNDER THIS SECTION, PROVIDED THE APPLICANT: (A) EARNED AN UNDERGRADUATE
DEGREE FROM A COLLEGE LOCATED IN NEW YORK STATE; (B) WAS A NEW YORK
STATE RESIDENT WHILE EARNING SUCH UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE; (C) ACHIEVED
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AS AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT, AS DEFINED BY THE
CORPORATION IN REGULATION; (D) ENROLLS IN FULL-TIME STUDY IN AN APPROVED
MASTER'S DEGREE IN EDUCATION PROGRAM AT A NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC INSTITU-
TION OF HIGHER EDUCATION LEADING TO A CAREER AS A TEACHER IN PUBLIC
ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY EDUCATION; (E) SIGNS A CONTRACT WITH THE CORPO-
RATION AGREEING TO TEACH IN A CLASSROOM SETTING ON A FULL-TIME BASIS FOR
FIVE YEARS IN A SCHOOL LOCATED WITHIN NEW YORK STATE PROVIDING PUBLIC
ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY EDUCATION RECOGNIZED BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS OR
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING CHARTER SCHOOLS
AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER; AND (F)
COMPLIES WITH THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE AND ALL REQUIRE-
MENTS PROMULGATED BY THE CORPORATION FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE
PROGRAM.
2. WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED THEREFOR, AWARDS SHALL BE GRANTED TO
APPLICANTS THAT THE CORPORATION HAS CERTIFIED ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE
SUCH AWARDS. UP TO FIVE HUNDRED AWARDS MAY BE GRANTED TO NEW RECIPIENTS
ANNUALLY. SUCH AWARDS SHALL BE GRANTED UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF
EACH TERM, AS DEFINED BY THE CORPORATION.
3. AN AWARD SHALL ENTITLE THE RECIPIENT TO ANNUAL PAYMENTS FOR NOT
MORE THAN TWO ACADEMIC YEARS OF FULL-TIME GRADUATE STUDY LEADING TO
CERTIFICATION AS AN ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY CLASSROOM TEACHER.
4. THE CORPORATION SHALL GRANT SUCH AWARDS IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE
ANNUAL TUITION CHARGED TO STATE RESIDENT STUDENTS ATTENDING A GRADUATE
PROGRAM FULL-TIME AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, OR ACTUAL TUITION
CHARGED, WHICHEVER IS LESS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, (I) A STUDENT WHO
RECEIVES EDUCATIONAL GRANTS AND/OR SCHOLARSHIPS THAT COVER THE STUDENT'S
FULL COST OF ATTENDANCE SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN AWARD UNDER THIS
PROGRAM; (II) FOR A STUDENT WHO RECEIVES EDUCATIONAL GRANTS AND/OR SCHO-
LARSHIPS THAT COVER LESS THAN THE STUDENT'S FULL COST OF ATTENDANCE,
SUCH GRANTS AND/OR SCHOLARSHIPS SHALL NOT BE DEEMED DUPLICATIVE OF THIS
PROGRAM AND MAY BE HELD CONCURRENTLY WITH AN AWARD UNDER THIS PROGRAM,
PROVIDED THAT THE COMBINED BENEFITS DO NOT EXCEED THE STUDENT'S FULL
COST OF ATTENDANCE; AND (III) AN AWARD UNDER THIS PROGRAM SHALL BE
APPLIED TO TUITION AFTER THE APPLICATION OF ALL OTHER EDUCATIONAL GRANTS
AND SCHOLARSHIPS LIMITED TO TUITION AND SHALL BE REDUCED IN AN AMOUNT
EQUAL TO SUCH EDUCATIONAL GRANTS AND/OR SCHOLARSHIPS. UPON NOTIFICATION
OF AN AWARD UNDER THIS PROGRAM, THE INSTITUTION SHALL DEFER THE AMOUNT
OF TUITION EQUAL TO THE AWARD. NO AWARD SHALL BE FINAL UNTIL THE RECIPI-
ENT'S SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A TERM HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE INSTITU-
TION. A RECIPIENT OF AN AWARD UNDER THIS PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE
FOR AN AWARD UNDER THE NEW YORK STATE MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHING INCEN-
TIVE PROGRAM.
5. THE CORPORATION SHALL CONVERT TO A STUDENT LOAN THE FULL AMOUNT OF
THE AWARD GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, PLUS INTEREST, ACCORDING TO
A SCHEDULE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE CORPORATION IF: (A) TWO YEARS AFTER
THE COMPLETION OF THE DEGREE PROGRAM AND RECEIPT OF INITIAL CERTIF-
ICATION IT IS FOUND THAT A RECIPIENT IS NOT TEACHING IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL
LOCATED WITHIN NEW YORK STATE PROVIDING ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY EDUCA-
TION RECOGNIZED BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS OR THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING CHARTER SCHOOLS AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE
FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER; (B) A RECIPIENT HAS NOT TAUGHT IN A PUBLIC
SCHOOL LOCATED WITHIN NEW YORK STATE PROVIDING ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY
EDUCATION RECOGNIZED BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS OR THE UNIVERSITY OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING CHARTER SCHOOLS AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO
ARTICLE FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER, FOR FIVE OF THE SEVEN YEARS AFTER THE
COMPLETION OF THE GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAM AND RECEIPT OF INITIAL CERTIF-
ICATION; (C) A RECIPIENT FAILS TO COMPLETE HIS OR HER GRADUATE DEGREE
PROGRAM IN EDUCATION; (D) A RECIPIENT FAILS TO RECEIVE OR MAINTAIN HIS
OR HER TEACHING CERTIFICATE OR LICENSE IN NEW YORK STATE FOR THE
REQUIRED PERIOD; OR (E) A RECIPIENT FAILS TO RESPOND TO REQUESTS BY THE
CORPORATION FOR THE STATUS OF HIS OR HER ACADEMIC OR PROFESSIONAL
PROGRESS. THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE DEFERRED
FOR ANY INTERRUPTION IN GRADUATE STUDY OR EMPLOYMENT AS ESTABLISHED BY
THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE CORPORATION. ANY OBLIGATION TO COMPLY
WITH SUCH PROVISIONS AS OUTLINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CANCELLED UPON
THE DEATH OF THE RECIPIENT. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISIONS OF THIS
SUBDIVISION TO THE CONTRARY, THE CORPORATION IS AUTHORIZED TO PROMULGATE
RULES AND REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE WAIVER OR SUSPENSION OF ANY
FINANCIAL OBLIGATION WHICH WOULD INVOLVE EXTREME HARDSHIP.
6. THE CORPORATION IS AUTHORIZED TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS,
AND MAY PROMULGATE EMERGENCY REGULATIONS, NECESSARY FOR THE IMPLEMENTA-
TION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
THE CRITERIA FOR THE PROVISION OF AWARDS ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS, AND THE
RATE OF INTEREST CHARGED FOR REPAYMENT OF THE STUDENT LOAN.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed to
have been in full force and effect on and after April 1, 2015.
SUBPART B
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 210-a
to read as follows:
S 210-A. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE-LEVEL TEACHER AND EDUCA-
TIONAL LEADER PROGRAMS. EACH INSTITUTION REGISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT
WITH GRADUATE-LEVEL TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION PROGRAMS SHALL ADOPT
RIGOROUS SELECTION CRITERIA GEARED TO PREDICTING A CANDIDATE'S ACADEMIC
SUCCESS IN ITS PROGRAM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, A MINIMUM SCORE ON
THE GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION OR A SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT ADMISSION
EXAMINATION, AS DETERMINED BY THE INSTITUTION, AND ACHIEVEMENT OF A
CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 3.0 OR HIGHER IN THE CANDIDATE'S
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM. EACH PROGRAM MAY EXEMPT NO MORE THAN FIFTEEN
PERCENT OF ANY INCOMING CLASS OF STUDENTS FROM SUCH SELECTION CRITERIA
SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION BASED ON A STUDENT'S DEMONSTRATION OF POTEN-
TIAL TO POSITIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION OR OTHER EXTEN-
UATING CIRCUMSTANCES PURSUANT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER. A
PROGRAM SHALL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ADMITTED
PURSUANT TO SUCH EXEMPTION AND THE SELECTION CRITERIA USED FOR SUCH
EXEMPTIONS.
S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 210-b to
read as follows:
S 210-B. GRADUATE-LEVEL TEACHER AND EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
DEREGISTRATION AND SUSPENSION. 1. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUSPEND A GRADU-
ATE PROGRAM'S AUTHORITY TO ADMIT NEW STUDENTS IF FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE
ACADEMIC YEARS, FEWER THAN FIFTY PERCENT OF ITS STUDENTS WHO HAVE SATIS-
FACTORILY COMPLETED THE PROGRAM PASS EACH EXAMINATION THAT THEY HAVE
TAKEN THAT IS REQUIRED FOR CERTIFICATION AND SHALL NOTIFY CURRENTLY
ADMITTED AND ENROLLED STUDENTS OF SUCH SUSPENSION. THE GRADUATE PROGRAM
SHALL BE PERMITTED TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME IT
WOULD TAKE ALL CURRENTLY ADMITTED AND/OR ENROLLED STUDENTS, IF THEY WERE
TO ATTEND CLASSES ON A FULL-TIME BASIS, TO COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THEIR DEGREES. IF, AT ANY TIME DURING SUCH PERIOD, THE COMMISSIONER
DETERMINES THAT STUDENT AND/OR PROGRAM PERFORMANCE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY
IMPROVED, THE COMMISSIONER MAY REINSTATE THE PROGRAM'S ABILITY TO ADMIT
NEW STUDENTS. IF THE COMMISSIONER DOES NOT AFFIRMATIVELY REINSTATE THE
PROGRAM'S AUTHORITY TO ADMIT NEW STUDENTS DURING SUCH TIME PERIOD, THE
PROGRAM SHALL BE DEREGISTERED. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION,
STUDENTS WHO HAVE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED THE GRADUATE PROGRAM SHALL
MEAN STUDENTS WHO HAVE MET EACH EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT OF THE PROGRAM,
EXCLUDING ANY REQUIREMENT THAT THE STUDENT PASS EACH REQUIRED NEW YORK
STATE TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION FOR A TEACHING CERTIFICATE
AND/OR SCHOOL BUILDING LEADER EXAMINATION FOR A SCHOOL BUILDING LEADER
CERTIFICATE IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM. STUDENTS SATISFACTORILY
MEETING EACH EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT MAY INCLUDE STUDENTS WHO EARN A
DEGREE OR STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE EACH EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT WITHOUT
EARNING A DEGREE. WHEN MAKING SUCH A DETERMINATION, THE DEPARTMENT
SHALL CONSIDER THE PERFORMANCE ON EACH CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION OF THE
COHORT OF STUDENTS COMPLETING AN EXAMINATION NOT MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
BEFORE THE END OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR IN WHICH THE PROGRAM IS COMPLETED OR
NOT LATER THAN THE SEPTEMBER THIRTIETH FOLLOWING THE END OF SUCH ACADEM-
IC YEAR, WHERE ACADEMIC YEAR IS DEFINED AS JULY FIRST THROUGH JUNE THIR-
TIETH, AND SHALL CONSIDER ONLY THE HIGHEST SCORE OF INDIVIDUALS TAKING A
TEST MORE THAN ONCE. WHEN MAKING SUCH A DETERMINATION THE DEPARTMENT
MAY ADJUST ITS METHODOLOGY FOR DETERMINING EXAMINATION PASSAGE RATES FOR
ONE OR MORE CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS TO ACCOUNT FOR SAMPLE SIZE AND
ACCURACY.
2. THE INSTITUTION MAY SUBMIT AN APPEAL OF A SUSPENSION OF A GRADUATE
PROGRAM'S ABILITY TO ADMIT STUDENTS OR DEREGISTRATION PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION IN A MANNER AND TIMEFRAME AS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER IN
REGULATIONS. HOWEVER, A PROGRAM THAT HAS HAD ITS ABILITY TO ADMIT
STUDENTS SUSPENDED SHALL NOT ADMIT NEW STUDENTS WHILE AWAITING THE
COMMISSIONER'S DECISION ON ANY APPEAL. AN INSTITUTION WITH A DEREGIS-
TERED PROGRAM SHALL NOT ADMIT ANY NEW STUDENTS IN SUCH PROGRAM WHILE
AWAITING THE COMMISSIONER'S DECISION ON ITS APPLICATION FOR REGISTRA-
TION.
3. THE DEPARTMENT MAY ALSO, AS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER IN REGU-
LATIONS, CONDUCT EXPEDITED SUSPENSION AND REGISTRATION REVIEWS FOR GRAD-
UATE PROGRAMS, PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER.
S 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015, provided that the
provisions of section one of this act shall first apply to admissions
requirements for programs commencing instruction on or after July 1,
2016, and provided further that the authority of the board of regents to
adopt regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on
such effective date shall take effect immediately.
SUBPART C
Section 1. Section 3006 of the education law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3. REGISTRATION. A. COMMENCING WITH THE TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN--TWO
THOUSAND SEVENTEEN SCHOOL YEAR, ANY HOLDER OF A TEACHING CERTIFICATE IN
THE CLASSROOM TEACHING SERVICE, TEACHING ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE, OR
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE THAT IS VALID FOR LIFE AS PRESCRIBED
BY THE COMMISSIONER IN REGULATIONS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER WITH
THE DEPARTMENT EVERY FIVE YEARS IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS OF THE
COMMISSIONER. SUCH REGULATIONS SHALL PRESCRIBE THE DATE OR DATES BY
WHICH APPLICATIONS FOR INITIAL REGISTRATION MUST BE SUBMITTED AND MAY
PROVIDE FOR STAGGERED INITIAL REGISTRATION AND/OR ROLLING RE-REGISTRA-
TION SO THAT RE-REGISTRATIONS ARE DISTRIBUTED AS EQUALLY AS POSSIBLE
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND ACROSS MULTIPLE YEARS.
B. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL POST AN APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION ON ITS
WEBSITE. AN APPLICATION SHALL BE SUBMITTED FOR A REGISTRATION CERTIF-
ICATE. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT
SHALL RENEW THE REGISTRATION OF EACH CERTIFICATE HOLDER UPON RECEIPT OF
A PROPER APPLICATION ON A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT. ANY CERTIF-
ICATE HOLDER WHO FAILS TO REGISTER BY THE BEGINNING OF THE APPROPRIATE
REGISTRATION PERIOD MAY BE SUBJECT TO LATE FILING PENALTIES AS
PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER. NO CERTIFICATE HOLDER RESUMING PRACTICE
AFTER A LAPSE OF REGISTRATION SHALL BE PERMITTED TO PRACTICE WITHOUT
VERIFICATION OF RE-REGISTRATION.
C. ANY CERTIFICATE HOLDER WHO IS NOT ENGAGING IN THE PRACTICE OF HIS
OR HER PROFESSION IN THIS STATE AND DOES NOT DESIRE TO REGISTER SHALL SO
ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT. SUCH CERTIFICATE HOLDER SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO
PENALTIES AS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR FAILURE TO REGISTER AT
THE BEGINNING OF THE REGISTRATION PERIOD.
D. CERTIFICATE HOLDERS SHALL NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF ANY CHANGE OF
NAME OR MAILING ADDRESS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF SUCH CHANGE. WILLFUL FAIL-
URE TO REGISTER OR PROVIDE SUCH NOTICE WITHIN ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS OF
SUCH CHANGE MAY CONSTITUTE GROUNDS FOR MORAL CHARACTER REVIEW UNDER
SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER.
S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3006-a to
read as follows:
S 3006-A. REGISTRATION AND CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION
REQUIREMENTS FOR HOLDERS OF PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES IN THE CLASSROOM
TEACHING SERVICE, HOLDERS OF LEVEL III TEACHING ASSISTANT CERTIFICATES,
HOLDERS OF PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES IN THE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
SERVICE. 1. A. COMMENCING WITH THE TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN--TWO THOUSAND
SEVENTEEN SCHOOL YEAR, EACH HOLDER OF A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN THE
CLASSROOM TEACHING SERVICE, HOLDER OF A LEVEL III TEACHING ASSISTANT
CERTIFICATE AND HOLDER OF A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN THE EDUCATIONAL
LEADERSHIP SERVICE SHALL BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER EVERY FIVE YEARS WITH
THE DEPARTMENT TO PRACTICE IN THE STATE AND SHALL COMPLY WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF THE CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.
B. ANY OF THE CERTIFIED INDIVIDUALS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A OF THIS
SUBDIVISION WHO DO NOT SATISFY THE CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCA-
TION REQUIREMENTS SHALL NOT PRACTICE UNTIL THEY HAVE MET SUCH REQUIRE-
MENTS AND HAVE BEEN ISSUED A REGISTRATION OR CONDITIONAL REGISTRATION
CERTIFICATE.
C. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTENT OF THIS SECTION, ADJUSTMENTS TO THE
CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION REQUIREMENT MAY BE GRANTED BY
THE DEPARTMENT FOR REASONS OF HEALTH CERTIFIED BY A HEALTH CARE PROVID-
ER, FOR EXTENDED ACTIVE DUTY WITH ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES, OR
FOR OTHER GOOD CAUSE ACCEPTABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT WHICH MAY PREVENT
COMPLIANCE.
D. ANY CERTIFICATE HOLDER WHO IS NOT PRACTICING AS A TEACHER, TEACHING
ASSISTANT OR EDUCATIONAL LEADER IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPER-
ATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN THIS STATE SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE
CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION REQUIREMENT UPON THE FILING OF A
WRITTEN STATEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT DECLARING SUCH STATUS. ANY HOLDER
OF A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN THE CLASSROOM TEACHING SERVICE, HOLDER
OF A LEVEL III TEACHING ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE AND HOLDER OF A PROFES-
SIONAL CERTIFICATE IN THE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP SERVICE WHO RESUMES
PRACTICE DURING THE FIVE-YEAR REGISTRATION PERIOD SHALL NOTIFY THE
DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO RESUMING PRACTICE AND SHALL MEET SUCH CONTINUING
TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AS PRESCRIBED IN REGULATIONS
OF THE COMMISSIONER.
2. A. DURING EACH FIVE-YEAR REGISTRATION PERIOD BEGINNING ON OR AFTER
JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN, AN APPLICANT FOR REGISTRATION SHALL
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE A MINIMUM OF ONE HUNDRED HOURS OF CONTINUING
TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION, AS DEFINED BY THE COMMISSIONER. THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE RIGOROUS STANDARDS FOR COURSES, PROGRAMS, AND
ACTIVITIES, THAT SHALL QUALIFY AS CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCA-
TION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, A PEER
REVIEW TEACHER, OR A PRINCIPAL ACTING AS AN INDEPENDENT TRAINED EVALU-
ATOR, CONDUCTING A CLASSROOM OBSERVATION AS PART OF THE TEACHER EVALU-
ATION SYSTEM PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE
MAY CREDIT SUCH TIME TOWARDS HIS OR HER CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER
EFFECTIVENESS REQUIREMENTS.
B. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL LIMIT THE ABILITY OF LOCAL SCHOOL
DISTRICTS TO AGREE PURSUANT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING TO ADDITIONAL HOURS
OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OR CONTINUING TEACHER OR LEADER EDUCATION
ABOVE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.
C. A CERTIFIED INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS NOT SATISFIED THE CONTINUING TEACHER
AND LEADER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS SHALL NOT BE ISSUED A FIVE-YEAR REGIS-
TRATION CERTIFICATE BY THE DEPARTMENT AND SHALL NOT PRACTICE UNLESS AND
UNTIL A REGISTRATION OR CONDITIONAL REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE IS ISSUED
AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS
SUBDIVISION, "CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS"
SHALL MEAN ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE TEACHER OR LEADER'S PEDA-
GOGICAL AND/OR LEADERSHIP SKILLS, TARGETED AT IMPROVING STUDENT PERFORM-
ANCE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FORMAL CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER
EDUCATION ACTIVITIES. SUCH ACTIVITIES SHALL PROMOTE THE PROFESSIONALIZA-
TION OF TEACHING AND BE CLOSELY ALIGNED TO DISTRICT GOALS FOR STUDENT
PERFORMANCE WHICH MEET THE STANDARDS PRESCRIBED BY REGULATIONS OF THE
COMMISSIONER. TO FULFILL THE CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION
REQUIREMENT, PROGRAMS MUST BE TAKEN FROM SPONSORS APPROVED BY THE
DEPARTMENT, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS,
PURSUANT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER.
3. THE DEPARTMENT, IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY ISSUE A CONDITIONAL REGIS-
TRATION TO A TEACHER, TEACHING ASSISTANT OR EDUCATIONAL LEADER IN A
SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN THIS
STATE WHO FAILS TO MEET THE CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION
REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION BUT WHO
AGREES TO MAKE UP ANY DEFICIENCIES AND TAKE ANY ADDITIONAL CONTINUING
TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION WHICH THE DEPARTMENT MAY REQUIRE. THE DURA-
TION OF SUCH CONDITIONAL REGISTRATION SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE DEPART-
MENT. ANY HOLDER OF A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN THE CLASSROOM TEACHING
SERVICE, HOLDER OF A LEVEL III TEACHING ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE OR HOLDER
OF A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN THE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP SERVICE AND
ANY OTHER CERTIFIED INDIVIDUAL REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSIONER TO REGISTER
EVERY FIVE YEARS WHO IS NOTIFIED OF THE DENIAL OF REGISTRATION FOR FAIL-
URE TO SUBMIT EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO THE DEPARTMENT, OF REQUIRED
CONTINUING TEACHER AND LEADER EDUCATION AND WHO PRACTICES WITHOUT SUCH
REGISTRATION, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO MORAL CHARACTER REVIEW UNDER SUBDIVI-
SION SEVEN OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER.
S 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015, provided that the
provisions of section one of this act shall first apply to admissions
requirements for programs commencing instruction on or after July 1,
2016, and provided further that the authority of the board of regents to
adopt regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on
such effective date shall take effect immediately.
SUBPART D
Section 1. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 1 of section 2509 of
the education law, paragraph (a) as amended by chapter 551 of the laws
of 1976, and paragraph (b) as amended by chapter 468 of the laws of
1975, are amended to read as follows:
(a) I. Teachers and all other members of the teaching staff[,]
APPOINTED PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN AND authorized by
section twenty-five hundred three of this article, shall be appointed by
the board of education, upon the recommendation of the superintendent of
schools, for a probationary period of three years, except that in the
case of a teacher who has rendered satisfactory service as a regular
substitute for a period of two years or as a seasonally licensed per
session teacher of swimming in day schools who has served in that capac-
ity for a period of two years and has been appointed to teach the same
subject in day schools on an annual salary, the probationary period
shall be limited to one year; provided, however, that in the case of a
teacher who has been appointed on tenure in another school district
within the state, the school district where currently employed, or a
board of cooperative educational services, and who was not dismissed
from such district or board as a result of charges brought pursuant to
subdivision one of section three thousand twenty-a of this chapter, the
probationary period shall not exceed two years. The service of a person
appointed to any of such positions may be discontinued at any time
during such probationary period, on the recommendation of the super-
intendent of schools, by a majority vote of the board of education. Each
person who is not to be recommended for appointment on tenure shall be
so notified by the superintendent of schools in writing not later than
sixty days immediately preceding the expiration of his probationary
period.
II. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW OR REGULATION TO THE
CONTRARY, TEACHERS AND ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING STAFF APPOINTED
ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN AND AUTHORIZED BY SECTION
TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE, SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS, FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS, EXCEPT THAT IN THE
CASE OF A TEACHER WHO HAS RENDERED SATISFACTORY SERVICE AS A REGULAR
SUBSTITUTE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND, IF A CLASSROOM TEACHER, HAS
RECEIVED COMPOSITE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATINGS IN
EACH OF THOSE YEARS, OR HAS RENDERED SATISFACTORY SERVICE AS A
SEASONALLY LICENSED PER SESSION TEACHER OF SWIMMING IN DAY SCHOOLS WHO
HAS SERVED IN THAT CAPACITY FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND HAS BEEN
APPOINTED TO TEACH THE SAME SUBJECT IN DAY SCHOOLS ON AN ANNUAL SALARY,
THE TEACHER SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF TWO YEARS;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE CASE OF A TEACHER WHO HAS BEEN APPOINTED
ON TENURE IN ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE STATE, THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT WHERE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED, OR A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES, AND WHO WAS NOT DISMISSED FROM SUCH DISTRICT OR BOARD AS A
RESULT OF CHARGES BROUGHT PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS CHAPTER,
THE TEACHER SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF THREE YEARS;
PROVIDED THAT THE TEACHER DEMONSTRATES THAT HE OR SHE RECEIVED AN ANNUAL
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATING PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOU-
SAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS CHAPTER IN HIS
OR HER FINAL YEAR OF SERVICE IN SUCH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD OF
COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. THE SERVICE OF A PERSON APPOINTED TO
ANY OF SUCH POSITIONS MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME DURING SUCH PROBA-
TIONARY PERIOD, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. EACH PERSON WHO IS NOT TO
BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPOINTMENT ON TENURE SHALL BE SO NOTIFIED BY THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IN WRITING NOT LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS IMME-
DIATELY PRECEDING THE EXPIRATION OF HIS/HER PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
(b) I. Administrators, directors, supervisors, principals and all
other members of the supervising staff, except associate, assistant and
other superintendents[,] APPOINTED PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
FIFTEEN AND authorized by section twenty-five hundred three of this
article, shall be appointed by the board of education, upon the recom-
mendation of the superintendent of schools for a probationary period of
three years. The service of a person appointed to any of such positions
may be discontinued at any time during the probationary period on the
recommendation of the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of
the board of education.
II. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW OR REGULATION TO THE
CONTRARY, ADMINISTRATORS, DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS, PRINCIPALS AND ALL
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SUPERVISING STAFF, EXCEPT ASSOCIATE, ASSISTANT AND
OTHER SUPERINTENDENTS, APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
FIFTEEN AND AUTHORIZED BY SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED THREE OF THIS
ARTICLE, SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, UPON THE RECOM-
MENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF
FOUR YEARS. THE SERVICE OF A PERSON APPOINTED TO ANY OF SUCH POSITIONS
MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME DURING THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD ON THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
S 2. Subdivision 2 of section 2509 of the education law, as amended by
section 6 of part A of chapter 57 of the laws of 2007, is amended to
read as follows:
2. A. At the expiration of the probationary term of any persons
appointed for such term PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, or
within six months prior thereto, the superintendent of schools shall
make a written report to the board of education recommending for
appointment on tenure those persons who have been found competent, effi-
cient and satisfactory[, consistent with any applicable rules of the
board of regents adopted pursuant to section three thousand twelve-b of
this chapter]. By a majority vote the board of education may then
appoint on tenure any or all of the persons recommended by the super-
intendent of schools. Such persons and all others employed in the teach-
ing service of the schools of such school district who have served the
full probationary period shall hold their respective positions during
good behavior and efficient and competent service, and shall not be
removable except for cause after a hearing as provided by section three
thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B of [such law] THIS
CHAPTER. Failure to maintain certification as required by this chapter
and the regulations of the commissioner [of education] shall constitute
cause for removal.
B. FOR PERSONS APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY TERM OF ANY PERSONS APPOINTED FOR
SUCH TERM, OR WITHIN SIX MONTHS PRIOR THERETO, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS SHALL MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION RECOMMEND-
ING FOR APPOINTMENT ON TENURE THOSE PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPE-
TENT, EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY AND IN THE CASE OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER
OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL, WHO HAVE RECEIVED ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
REVIEW RATINGS PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION
THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS CHAPTER, OF EITHER EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY
EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF
ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE; PROVIDED THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF THIS SECTION TO THE CONTRARY, WHEN A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL
RECEIVES AN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE RATING IN EACH YEAR OF HIS OR
HER PROBATIONARY SERVICE EXCEPT HE OR SHE RECEIVES AN INEFFECTIVE RATING
IN THE FINAL YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY PERIOD, SUCH TEACHER OR
PRINCIPAL SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE BUT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN
ITS DISCRETION, MAY EXTEND THE TEACHER'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD FOR AN
ADDITIONAL YEAR; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL
SUCCESSFULLY APPEALED SUCH INEFFECTIVE RATING, SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL
SHALL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE IF THE RATING RESULTING FROM
THE APPEAL ESTABLISHED THAT SUCH INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY
EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE PRECEDING FOUR YEARS AND WAS NOT
INEFFECTIVE IN THE FINAL YEAR. BY A MAJORITY VOTE, THE BOARD OF EDUCA-
TION MAY THEN APPOINT ON TENURE ANY OR ALL OF THE PERSONS RECOMMENDED BY
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY
PERIOD, THE CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL SHALL REMAIN IN
PROBATIONARY STATUS UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH SUCH
TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL HAS RECEIVED SUCH RATINGS OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY
EFFECTIVE FOR AT LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING SCHOOL YEARS EXCLU-
SIVE OF ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE AND SUBJECT TO THE TERMS HEREOF, DURING
WHICH TIME A BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL CONSIDER WHETHER TO GRANT TENURE
FOR THOSE CLASSROOM TEACHERS OR BUILDING PRINCIPALS WHO OTHERWISE HAVE
BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY. PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY GRANT TENURE CONTINGENT UPON A CLASSROOM
TEACHER'S OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL'S RECEIPT OF A MINIMUM RATING IN THE
FINAL YEAR OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF
THIS SECTION, AND IF SUCH CONTINGENCY IS NOT MET AFTER ALL APPEALS HAVE
BEEN EXHAUSTED, THE GRANT OF TENURE SHALL BE VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE AND
THE TEACHER'S OR PRINCIPAL'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD MAY BE EXTENDED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBDIVISION. SUCH PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED
FOR TENURE AND ALL OTHERS EMPLOYED IN THE TEACHING SERVICE OF THE
SCHOOLS OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHO HAVE SERVED THE FULL PROBATIONARY
PERIOD AS EXTENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL HOLD THEIR RESPEC-
TIVE POSITIONS DURING GOOD BEHAVIOR AND EFFICIENT AND COMPETENT SERVICE,
AND SHALL NOT BE REMOVABLE EXCEPT FOR CAUSE AFTER A HEARING AS PROVIDED
BY SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF
THIS CHAPTER. FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION AS REQUIRED BY THIS
CHAPTER AND THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONSTITUTE CAUSE
FOR REMOVAL.
S 3. Subdivisions 1, 5 and 6 of section 2573 of the education law,
subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 732 of the laws of 1971, paragraph
(a) of subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 640 of the laws of 1983,
paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 468 of the laws of
1975, subdivisions 5 and 6 as amended by section 7 of part A of chapter
57 of the laws of 2007, are amended to read as follows:
1. (a) I. Teachers and all other members of the teaching staff,
APPOINTED PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN AND authorized by
section twenty-five hundred fifty-four of this article, shall be
appointed by the board of education, upon the recommendation of the
superintendent of schools, for a probationary period of three years,
except that in the case of a teacher who has rendered satisfactory
service as a regular substitute for a period of two years or as a
seasonally licensed per session teacher of swimming in day schools who
has served in that capacity for a period of two years and has been
appointed to teach the same subject in day schools on an annual salary,
the probationary period shall be limited to one year; provided, however,
that in the case of a teacher who has been appointed on tenure in anoth-
er school district within the state, the school district where currently
employed, or a board of cooperative educational services, and who was
not dismissed from such district or board as a result of charges brought
pursuant to subdivision one of section three thousand twenty-a OR
SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B of this chapter, the probationary period
shall not exceed two years; provided, however, that in cities with a
population of one million or more, a teacher appointed under a newly
created license, for teachers of reading and of the emotionally hand-
icapped, to a position which the teacher has held for at least two years
prior to such appointment while serving on tenure in another license
area who was not dismissed as a result of charges brought pursuant to
subdivision one of section three thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-B of this chapter, the probationary period shall be one
year. The service of a person appointed to any of such positions may be
discontinued at any time during such probationary period, on the recom-
mendation of the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of the
board of education. Each person who is not to be recommended for
appointment on tenure shall be so notified by the superintendent of
schools in writing not later than sixty days immediately preceding the
expiration of his OR HER probationary period. In city school districts
having a population of four hundred thousand or more, persons with
licenses obtained as a result of examinations announced subsequent to
the twenty-second day of May, nineteen hundred sixty-nine appointed upon
conditions that all announced requirements for the position be fulfilled
within a specified period of time, shall not acquire tenure unless and
until such requirements have been completed within the time specified
for the fulfillment of such requirements, notwithstanding the expiration
of any probationary period. In all other city school districts subject
to the provisions of this article, failure to maintain certification as
required by this article and by the regulations of the commissioner [of
education] shall be cause for removal within the meaning of subdivision
five of this section.
II. TEACHERS AND ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING STAFF APPOINTED ON
OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN AND AUTHORIZED BY SECTION
TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR OF THIS ARTICLE, SHALL BE APPOINTED BY
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS, FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS, EXCEPT THAT IN THE
CASE OF A TEACHER WHO HAS RENDERED SATISFACTORY SERVICE AS A REGULAR
SUBSTITUTE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND, IF A CLASSROOM TEACHER, HAS
RECEIVED ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATINGS IN EACH OF THOSE
YEARS, OR HAS RENDERED SATISFACTORY SERVICE AS A SEASONALLY LICENSED PER
SESSION TEACHER OF SWIMMING IN DAY SCHOOLS WHO HAS SERVED IN THAT CAPAC-
ITY FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO TEACH THE SAME
SUBJECT IN DAY SCHOOLS ON AN ANNUAL SALARY, THE TEACHER SHALL BE
APPOINTED FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF TWO YEARS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT IN THE CASE OF A TEACHER WHO HAS BEEN APPOINTED ON TENURE IN ANOTH-
ER SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE STATE, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE CURRENTLY
EMPLOYED, OR A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AND WHO WAS
NOT DISMISSED FROM SUCH DISTRICT OR BOARD AS A RESULT OF CHARGES BROUGHT
PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR
SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS CHAPTER, THE TEACHER SHALL BE
APPOINTED FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF THREE YEARS; PROVIDED THAT, IN
THE CASE OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER, THE TEACHER DEMONSTRATES THAT HE OR SHE
RECEIVED AN ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATING PURSUANT TO
SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF
THIS CHAPTER IN HIS OR HER FINAL YEAR OF SERVICE IN SUCH OTHER SCHOOL
DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES; PROVIDED, HOWEV-
ER, THAT IN CITIES WITH A POPULATION OF ONE MILLION OR MORE, A TEACHER
APPOINTED UNDER A NEWLY CREATED LICENSE, FOR TEACHERS OF READING AND OF
THE EMOTIONALLY HANDICAPPED, TO A POSITION WHICH THE TEACHER HAS HELD
FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS PRIOR TO SUCH APPOINTMENT WHILE SERVING ON TENURE
IN ANOTHER LICENSE AREA WHO WAS NOT DISMISSED AS A RESULT OF CHARGES
BROUGHT PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A
OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS CHAPTER, THE TEACHER SHALL BE
APPOINTED FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF TWO YEARS. THE SERVICE OF A
PERSON APPOINTED TO ANY OF SUCH POSITIONS MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY
TIME DURING SUCH PROBATIONARY PERIOD, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
EACH PERSON WHO IS NOT TO BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPOINTMENT ON TENURE SHALL
BE SO NOTIFIED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IN WRITING NOT LATER
THAN SIXTY DAYS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EXPIRATION OF HIS OR HER
PROBATIONARY PERIOD. IN ALL CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS SUBJECT TO THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE, FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION AS
REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE AND BY THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER
SHALL BE CAUSE FOR REMOVAL WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBDIVISION FIVE OF
THIS SECTION.
(b) I. Administrators, directors, supervisors, principals and all
other members of the supervising staff, except executive directors,
associate, assistant, district and community superintendents and examin-
ers, APPOINTED PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN AND authorized
by section twenty-five hundred fifty-four of this article, shall be
appointed by the board of education, upon the recommendation of the
superintendent or chancellor of schools, for a probationary period of
three years. The service of a person appointed to any of such positions
may be discontinued at any time during the probationary period on the
recommendation of the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of
the board of education.
II. ADMINISTRATORS, DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS, PRINCIPALS AND ALL OTHER
MEMBERS OF THE SUPERVISING STAFF, EXCEPT EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS, ASSOCIATE,
ASSISTANT, DISTRICT AND COMMUNITY SUPERINTENDENTS AND EXAMINERS,
APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN AND AUTHORIZED BY
SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR OF THIS ARTICLE, SHALL BE
APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OR CHANCELLOR OF SCHOOLS, FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF
FOUR YEARS PROVIDED THAT SUCH PROBATIONARY PERIOD MAY BE EXTENDED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH (B) OF SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION. THE
SERVICE OF A PERSON APPOINTED TO ANY OF SUCH POSITIONS MAY BE DISCONTIN-
UED AT ANY TIME DURING THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCA-
TION.
5. (A) At the expiration of the probationary term of any persons
appointed for such term PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, the
superintendent of schools shall make a written report to the board of
education recommending for permanent appointment those persons who have
been found competent, efficient and satisfactory[, consistent with any
applicable rules of the board of regents adopted pursuant to section
three thousand twelve-b of this chapter]. Such persons and all others
employed in the teaching, service of the schools of a city, who have
served the full probationary period, shall hold their respective posi-
tions during good behavior and efficient and competent service, and
shall not be removable except for cause after a hearing as provided by
section three thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B of
this chapter.
(B) AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY TERM OF ANY PERSONS
APPOINTED FOR SUCH TERM ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS SHALL MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION RECOMMENDING FOR PERMANENT APPOINTMENT THOSE PERSONS WHO
HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY AND, IN THE CASE
OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL, WHO HAVE RECEIVED COMPOS-
ITE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATINGS PURSUANT TO SECTION
THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS CHAP-
TER, OF EITHER EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE
FOUR PRECEDING YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE; PROVIDED THAT,
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS SECTION TO THE CONTRARY,
WHEN A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL RECEIVES AN EFFECTIVE AND/OR HIGHLY EFFEC-
TIVE RATING IN EACH YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY SERVICE EXCEPT HE OR
SHE RECEIVES AN INEFFECTIVE RATING IN THE FINAL YEAR OF HIS OR HER
PROBATIONARY PERIOD, SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR
TENURE BUT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY EXTEND THE
TEACHER'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT IF SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SUCCESSFULLY APPEALED SUCH INEFFECTIVE
RATING, SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SHALL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIGIBLE FOR
TENURE IF THE RATING RESULTING FROM THE APPEAL ESTABLISHED THAT SUCH
INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF
THE PRECEDING FOUR YEARS. AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD,
THE CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL SHALL REMAIN IN PROBATIONARY
STATUS UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCI-
PAL HAS RECEIVED SUCH RATINGS OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FOR AT
LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING SCHOOL YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS
IN SERVICE AND SUBJECT TO THE TERMS HEREOF, DURING WHICH TIME A BOARD OF
EDUCATION SHALL CONSIDER WHETHER TO GRANT TENURE FOR THOSE CLASSROOM
TEACHERS OR BUILDING PRINCIPALS WHO OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT,
EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCA-
TION MAY GRANT TENURE CONTINGENT UPON A CLASSROOM TEACHER'S OR BUILDING
PRINCIPAL'S RECEIPT OF A MINIMUM RATING IN THE FINAL YEAR OF THE PROBA-
TIONARY PERIOD, PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, AND IF
SUCH CONTINGENCY IS NOT MET AFTER ALL APPEALS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED, THE
GRANT OF TENURE SHALL BE VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE AND THE TEACHER'S OR
PRINCIPAL'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD MAY BE EXTENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS
SUBDIVISION. SUCH PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR TENURE AND ALL
OTHERS EMPLOYED IN THE TEACHING SERVICE OF THE SCHOOLS OF SUCH SCHOOL
DISTRICT WHO HAVE SERVED THE FULL PROBATIONARY PERIOD AS EXTENDED PURSU-
ANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL HOLD THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS DURING
GOOD BEHAVIOR AND EFFICIENT AND COMPETENT SERVICE, AND SHALL NOT BE
REMOVABLE EXCEPT FOR CAUSE AFTER A HEARING AS PROVIDED BY SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS CHAPTER.
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION AS REQUIRED BY THIS CHAPTER AND THE
REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONSTITUTE CAUSE FOR REMOVAL.
6. (A) In a city having a population of four hundred thousand or more,
at the expiration of the probationary term of any persons appointed for
such term PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, the superintendent
of schools shall make a written report to the board of education recom-
mending for permanent appointment those persons who have been found
satisfactory[, consistent with any applicable rules of the board of
regents adopted pursuant to section three thousand twelve-b of this
chapter], and such board of education shall immediately thereafter issue
to such persons permanent certificates of appointment. Such persons and
all others employed in the teaching service of the schools of such city,
who have served the full probationary period shall receive permanent
certificates to teach issued to them by the certificating authority,
except as otherwise provided in subdivision ten-a of this section, and
shall hold their respective positions during good behavior and satisfac-
tory teaching service, and shall not be removable except for cause after
a hearing as provided by section three thousand twenty-a OR SECTION
THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B of this chapter.
(B) AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY TERM OF ANY PERSONS
APPOINTED FOR SUCH TERM ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS SHALL MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION RECOMMENDING FOR PERMANENT APPOINTMENT THOSE PERSONS WHO
HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY AND, IN THE CASE
OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL, WHO HAVE RECEIVED COMPOS-
ITE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATINGS PURSUANT TO SECTION
THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS CHAP-
TER, OF EITHER EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE
FOUR PRECEDING YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE; PROVIDED THAT,
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS SECTION TO THE CONTRARY,
WHEN A TEACHER RECEIVES AN EFFECTIVE AND/OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE RATING IN
EACH YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY SERVICE EXCEPT HE OR SHE RECEIVES
AN INEFFECTIVE RATING IN THE FINAL YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY PERI-
OD, SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE BUT THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY EXTEND THE TEACHER'S PROBA-
TIONARY PERIOD FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF SUCH
TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SUCCESSFULLY APPEALED SUCH INEFFECTIVE RATING, SUCH
TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SHALL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE IF THE
RATING RESULTING FROM THE APPEAL ESTABLISHED THAT SUCH INDIVIDUAL HAS
BEEN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE PRECEDING
FOUR YEARS AND WAS NOT INEFFECTIVE IN THE FINAL YEAR. AT THE EXPIRATION
OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, THE CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL
SHALL REMAIN IN PROBATIONARY STATUS UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN
WHICH SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL HAS RECEIVED SUCH RATINGS OF EFFECTIVE
OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FOR AT LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING SCHOOL
YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE AND SUBJECT TO THE TERMS HERE-
OF, DURING WHICH TIME A BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL CONSIDER WHETHER TO
GRANT TENURE FOR THOSE CLASSROOM TEACHERS OR BUILDING PRINCIPALS WHO
OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY.
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY GRANT TENURE CONTIN-
GENT UPON A CLASSROOM TEACHER'S OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL'S RECEIPT OF A
MINIMUM RATING IN THE FINAL YEAR OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, PURSUANT TO
THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, AND IF SUCH CONTINGENCY IS NOT MET
AFTER ALL APPEALS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED, THE GRANT OF TENURE SHALL BE VOID
AND UNENFORCEABLE AND THE TEACHER'S OR PRINCIPAL'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD
MAY BE EXTENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBDIVISION. SUCH PERSONS WHO
HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR TENURE AND ALL OTHERS EMPLOYED IN THE TEACHING
SERVICE OF THE SCHOOLS OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHO HAVE SERVED THE FULL
PROBATIONARY PERIOD AS EXTENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL HOLD
THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS DURING GOOD BEHAVIOR AND EFFICIENT AND COMPE-
TENT SERVICE, AND SHALL NOT BE REMOVABLE EXCEPT FOR CAUSE AFTER A HEAR-
ING AS PROVIDED BY SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS CHAPTER. FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION AS
REQUIRED BY THIS CHAPTER AND THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
CONSTITUTE CAUSE FOR REMOVAL.
S 4. Section 3012 of the education law, the section heading as amended
by chapter 358 of the laws of 1978, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter
442 of the laws of 1980, paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 as amended by
chapter 737 of the laws of 1992, subdivision 2 as amended by section 8
of part A of chapter 57 of the laws of 2007, subdivision 3 as added by
chapter 859 of the laws of 1955 and as renumbered by chapter 717 of the
laws of 1970, is amended to read as follows:
S 3012. Tenure: certain school districts. 1. (a) I. Teachers and all
other members of the teaching staff of school districts, including
common school districts and/or school districts employing fewer than
eight teachers, other than city school districts, WHO ARE APPOINTED
PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, shall be appointed by the
board of education, or the trustees of common school districts, upon the
recommendation of the superintendent of schools, for a probationary
period of three years, except that in the case of a teacher who has
rendered satisfactory service as a regular substitute for a period of
two years or as a seasonally licensed per session teacher of swimming in
day schools who has served in that capacity for a period of two years
and has been appointed to teach the same subject in day schools, on an
annual salary, the probationary period shall be limited to one year;
provided, however, that in the case of a teacher who has been appointed
on tenure in another school district within the state, the school
district where currently employed, or a board of cooperative educational
services, and who was not dismissed from such district or board as a
result of charges brought pursuant to subdivision one of section three
thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B of this [chapter]
ARTICLE, the probationary period shall not exceed two years. The service
of a person appointed to any of such positions may be discontinued at
any time during such probationary period, on the recommendation of the
superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of the board of education
or the trustees of a common school district.
II. TEACHERS AND ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING STAFF OF SCHOOL
DISTRICTS, INCLUDING COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND/OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS
EMPLOYING FEWER THAN EIGHT TEACHERS, OTHER THAN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS,
WHO ARE APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, SHALL BE
APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, OR THE TRUSTEES OF COMMON SCHOOL
DISTRICTS, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, FOR
A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS, EXCEPT THAT IN THE CASE OF A TEACH-
ER WHO HAS RENDERED SATISFACTORY SERVICE AS A REGULAR SUBSTITUTE FOR A
PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND, IF A CLASSROOM TEACHER, HAS RECEIVED ANNUAL
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATINGS IN EACH OF THOSE YEARS, OR HAS
RENDERED SATISFACTORY SERVICE AS A SEASONALLY LICENSED PER SESSION
TEACHER OF SWIMMING IN DAY SCHOOLS WHO HAS SERVED IN THAT CAPACITY FOR A
PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO TEACH THE SAME SUBJECT IN
DAY SCHOOLS, ON AN ANNUAL SALARY, THE TEACHER SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A
PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF TWO YEARS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE CASE OF
A TEACHER WHO HAS BEEN APPOINTED ON TENURE IN ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT
WITHIN THE STATE, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED, OR A
BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AND WHO WAS NOT DISMISSED
FROM SUCH DISTRICT OR BOARD AS A RESULT OF CHARGES BROUGHT PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS ARTICLE, THE TEACHER SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A
PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF THREE YEARS; PROVIDED THAT, IN THE CASE OF A
CLASSROOM TEACHER, THE TEACHER DEMONSTRATES THAT HE OR SHE RECEIVED AN
ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATING PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS CHAPTER IN
HIS OR HER FINAL YEAR OF SERVICE IN SUCH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD
OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. THE SERVICE OF A PERSON APPOINTED
TO ANY OF SUCH POSITIONS MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME DURING SUCH
PROBATIONARY PERIOD, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OR THE TRUSTEES OF
A COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICT.
(b) I. Principals, administrators, supervisors and all other members
of the supervising staff of school districts, including common school
districts and/or school districts employing fewer than eight teachers,
other than city school districts, WHO ARE APPOINTED PRIOR TO JULY FIRST,
TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, shall be appointed by the board of education, or
the trustees of a common school district, upon the recommendation of the
superintendent of schools for a probationary period of three years. The
service of a person appointed to any of such positions may be discontin-
ued at any time during the probationary period on the recommendation of
the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of the board of educa-
tion or the trustees of a common school district.
II. PRINCIPALS, ADMINISTRATORS, SUPERVISORS AND ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF
THE SUPERVISING STAFF OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS, INCLUDING COMMON SCHOOL
DISTRICTS AND/OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS EMPLOYING FEWER THAN EIGHT TEACHERS,
OTHER THAN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WHO ARE APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JULY
FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCA-
TION, OR THE TRUSTEES OF A COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICT, UPON THE RECOMMENDA-
TION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF FOUR
YEARS. THE SERVICE OF A PERSON APPOINTED TO ANY OF SUCH POSITIONS MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME DURING THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD ON THE RECOMMEN-
DATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION OR THE TRUSTEES OF A COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICT.
(c) Any person previously appointed to tenure or a probationary period
pursuant to the provisions of former section three thousand thirteen of
this [chapter] ARTICLE shall continue to hold such position and be
governed by the provisions of this section notwithstanding any contrary
provision of law.
2. (A) At the expiration of the probationary term of a person
appointed for such term PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
subject to the conditions of this section, the superintendent of schools
shall make a written report to the board of education or the trustees of
a common school district recommending for appointment on tenure those
persons who have been found competent, efficient and satisfactory[,
consistent with any applicable rules of the board of regents adopted
pursuant to section three thousand twelve-b of this article]. Such
persons, and all others employed in the teaching service of the schools
of such union free school district, common school district and/or school
district employing fewer than eight teachers, who have served the proba-
tionary period as provided in this section, shall hold their respective
positions during good behavior and efficient and competent service, and
shall not be removed except for any of the following causes, after a
hearing, as provided by section three thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-B of [such law] THIS ARTICLE: (a) insubordination,
immoral character or conduct unbecoming a teacher; (b) inefficiency,
incompetency, physical or mental disability, or neglect of duty; (c)
failure to maintain certification as required by this chapter and by the
regulations of the commissioner. Each person who is not to be recom-
mended for appointment on tenure, shall be so notified by the super-
intendent of schools in writing not later than sixty days immediately
preceding the expiration of his probationary period.
(B) AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY TERM OF A PERSON APPOINTED
FOR SUCH TERM ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, SUBJECT TO
THE CONDITIONS OF THIS SECTION, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS SHALL MAKE
A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OR THE TRUSTEES OF A COMMON
SCHOOL DISTRICT RECOMMENDING FOR APPOINTMENT ON TENURE THOSE PERSONS WHO
HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY AND, IN THE CASE
OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL, WHO HAVE RECEIVED COMPOS-
ITE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATINGS PURSUANT TO SECTION
THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTI-
CLE, OF EITHER EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE
FOUR PRECEDING YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE; PROVIDED THAT,
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS SECTION TO THE CONTRARY,
WHEN A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL RECEIVES AN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
RATING IN EACH YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY SERVICE EXCEPT HE OR SHE
RECEIVES AN INEFFECTIVE RATING IN THE FINAL YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBA-
TIONARY PERIOD, SUCH TEACHER SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE BUT THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY EXTEND THE TEACHER'S PROBA-
TIONARY PERIOD FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF SUCH
TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SUCCESSFULLY APPEALED SUCH INEFFECTIVE RATING, SUCH
TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SHALL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE IF THE
RATING RESULTING FROM THE APPEAL ESTABLISHED THAT SUCH INDIVIDUAL HAS
BEEN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE PRECEDING
FOUR YEARS AND WAS NOT INEFFECTIVE IN THE FINAL YEAR. AT THE EXPIRATION
OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, THE CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL
SHALL REMAIN IN PROBATIONARY STATUS UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN
WHICH SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL HAS RECEIVED SUCH RATINGS OF EFFECTIVE
OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FOR AT LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING SCHOOL
YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS IN SERVICE, AND SUBJECT TO THE TERMS
HEREOF, DURING WHICH TIME THE TRUSTEES OR BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL
CONSIDER WHETHER TO GRANT TENURE FOR THOSE CLASSROOM TEACHERS OR BUILD-
ING PRINCIPALS WHO OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND
SATISFACTORY. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE TRUSTEES OR BOARD OF EDUCATION
MAY GRANT TENURE CONTINGENT UPON A CLASSROOM TEACHER'S OR BUILDING PRIN-
CIPAL'S RECEIPT OF A MINIMUM RATING IN THE FINAL YEAR OF THE PROBATION-
ARY PERIOD, PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, AND IF SUCH
CONTINGENCY IS NOT MET AFTER ALL APPEALS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED, THE GRANT
OF TENURE SHALL BE VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE AND THE TEACHER'S OR PRINCI-
PAL'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD MAY BE EXTENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBDI-
VISION. SUCH PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR TENURE AND ALL OTHERS
EMPLOYED IN THE TEACHING SERVICE OF THE SCHOOLS OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT
WHO HAVE SERVED THE FULL PROBATIONARY PERIOD AS EXTENDED PURSUANT TO
THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL HOLD THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS DURING GOOD
BEHAVIOR AND EFFICIENT AND COMPETENT SERVICE, AND SHALL NOT BE REMOVABLE
EXCEPT FOR CAUSE AFTER A HEARING AS PROVIDED BY SECTION THREE THOUSAND
TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS ARTICLE. FAILURE TO
MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION AS REQUIRED BY THIS CHAPTER AND THE REGULATIONS
OF THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONSTITUTE CAUSE FOR REMOVAL.
3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section no period in
any school year for which there is no required service and/or for which
no compensation is provided shall in any event constitute a break or
suspension of probationary period or continuity of tenure rights of any
of the persons hereinabove described.
S 5. Section 3014 of the education law, as added by chapter 583 of the
laws of 1955, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 551 of the laws of
1976, subdivision 2 as amended by section 10 of part A of chapter 57 of
the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
S 3014. Tenure: boards of cooperative educational services. 1. (A)
Administrative assistants, supervisors, teachers and all other members
of the teaching and supervising staff of the board of cooperative educa-
tional services APPOINTED PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
shall be appointed by a majority vote of the board of cooperative educa-
tional services upon the recommendation of the district superintendent
of schools for a probationary period of not to exceed three years;
provided, however, that in the case of a teacher who has been appointed
on tenure in a school district within the state, the board of cooper-
ative educational services where currently employed, or another board of
cooperative educational services, and who was not dismissed from such
district or board as a result of charges brought pursuant to subdivision
one of section three thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWEN-
TY-B of this [chapter] ARTICLE, the probationary period shall not exceed
two years. Services of a person so appointed to any such positions may
be discontinued at any time during such probationary period, upon the
recommendation of the district superintendent, by a majority vote of the
board of cooperative educational services.
(B) ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS, SUPERVISORS, TEACHERS AND ALL OTHER
MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING AND SUPERVISING STAFF OF THE BOARD OF COOPER-
ATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOU-
SAND FIFTEEN, SHALL BE APPOINTED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF
COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DISTRICT
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF NOT TO EXCEED
FOUR YEARS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE CASE OF A TEACHER WHO HAS
BEEN APPOINTED ON TENURE IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE STATE, THE
BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WHERE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED, OR
ANOTHER BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AND WHO WAS NOT
DISMISSED FROM SUCH DISTRICT OR BOARD AS A RESULT OF CHARGES BROUGHT
PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND
TWENTY-B OF THIS ARTICLE, THE TEACHER SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A PROBA-
TIONARY PERIOD OF THREE YEARS; PROVIDED THAT, IN THE CASE OF A CLASSROOM
TEACHER, THE TEACHER DEMONSTRATES THAT HE OR SHE RECEIVED A COMPOSITE
ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW RATING PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS CHAPTER OF EITHER
EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN HIS OR HER FINAL YEAR OF SERVICE IN
SUCH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.
SERVICES OF A PERSON SO APPOINTED TO ANY SUCH POSITIONS MAY BE DISCON-
TINUED AT ANY TIME DURING SUCH PROBATIONARY PERIOD, UPON THE RECOMMENDA-
TION OF THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF
COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.
2. (A) On or before the expiration of the probationary term of a
person appointed for such term PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
FIFTEEN, the district superintendent of schools shall make a written
report to the board of cooperative educational services recommending for
appointment on tenure persons who have been found competent, efficient
and satisfactory[, consistent with any applicable rules of the board of
regents adopted pursuant to section three thousand twelve-b of this
article]. Such persons shall hold their respective positions during good
behavior and competent and efficient service and shall not be removed
except for any of the following causes, after a hearing, as provided by
section three thousand twenty-a OR SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-B of
[such law] THIS ARTICLE: [(a)] (I) Insubordination, immoral character or
conduct unbecoming a teacher; [(b)] (II) Inefficiency, incompetency,
[physical or mental disability] or neglect of duty; [(c)] (III) Failure
to maintain certification as required by this chapter and by the regu-
lations of the commissioner. Each person who is not to be so recommended
for appointment on tenure shall be so notified in writing by the
district superintendent not later than sixty days immediately preceding
the expiration of his OR HER probationary period.
(B) ON OR BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY TERM OF A PERSON
APPOINTED FOR SUCH TERM ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS SHALL MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT TO
THE BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES RECOMMENDING FOR APPOINT-
MENT ON TENURE PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT, EFFICIENT AND
SATISFACTORY AND, IN THE CASE OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCI-
PAL, WHO HAVE RECEIVED COMPOSITE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW
RATINGS PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE, OF EITHER EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFEC-
TIVE IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY
BREAKS IN SERVICE; PROVIDED THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF
THIS SECTION TO THE CONTRARY, WHEN A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL RECEIVES AN
EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE RATING IN EACH YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBA-
TIONARY SERVICE EXCEPT HE OR SHE RECEIVES AN INEFFECTIVE RATING IN THE
FINAL YEAR OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY PERIOD, SUCH TEACHER SHALL NOT BE
ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE BUT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY
EXTEND THE TEACHER'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER THAT IF SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SUCCESSFULLY
APPEALED SUCH INEFFECTIVE RATING, SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL SHALL IMME-
DIATELY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENURE IF THE RATING RESULTING FROM THE APPEAL
ESTABLISHED THAT SUCH INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
IN AT LEAST THREE OF THE PRECEDING FOUR YEARS AND WAS NOT INEFFECTIVE
IN THE FINAL YEAR. AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, THE
CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL SHALL REMAIN IN PROBATIONARY
STATUS UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH SUCH TEACHER OR PRINCI-
PAL HAS RECEIVED SUCH RATINGS OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FOR AT
LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING SCHOOL YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY BREAKS
IN SERVICE, DURING WHICH TIME A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES SHALL CONSIDER WHETHER TO GRANT TENURE FOR THOSE CLASSROOM
TEACHERS OR BUILDING PRINCIPALS WHO OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN FOUND COMPETENT,
EFFICIENT AND SATISFACTORY. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE BOARD OF COOPER-
ATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES MAY GRANT TENURE CONTINGENT UPON A CLASSROOM
TEACHER'S OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL'S RECEIPT OF A MINIMUM RATING IN THE
FINAL YEAR OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF
THIS SECTION, AND IF SUCH CONTINGENCY IS NOT MET AFTER ALL APPEALS HAVE
BEEN EXHAUSTED, THE GRANT OF TENURE SHALL BE VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE AND
THE TEACHER'S OR PRINCIPAL'S PROBATIONARY PERIOD MAY BE EXTENDED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBDIVISION. SUCH PERSONS SHALL HOLD THEIR RESPEC-
TIVE POSITIONS DURING GOOD BEHAVIOR AND COMPETENT AND EFFICIENT SERVICE
AND SHALL NOT BE REMOVED EXCEPT FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CAUSES, AFTER A
HEARING, AS PROVIDED BY SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWENTY-B OF THIS ARTICLE: (I) INSUBORDINATION, IMMORAL CHARAC-
TER OR CONDUCT UNBECOMING A TEACHER; (II) INEFFICIENCY, INCOMPETENCY, OR
NEGLECT OF DUTY; (III) FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION AS REQUIRED BY
THIS CHAPTER AND BY THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER. EACH PERSON WHO
IS NOT TO BE SO RECOMMENDED FOR APPOINTMENT ON TENURE SHALL BE SO NOTI-
FIED IN WRITING BY THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT NOT LATER THAN SIXTY DAYS
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EXPIRATION OF HIS OR HER PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
S 6. Subdivision 1 of section 3012-c of the education law, as amended
by chapter 21 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule or regulation to
the contrary, the annual professional performance reviews of all class-
room teachers and building principals employed by school districts or
boards of cooperative educational services shall be conducted in accord-
ance with the provisions of this section. Such performance reviews which
are conducted on or after July first, two thousand eleven, or on or
after the date specified in paragraph c of subdivision two of this
section where applicable, shall include measures of student achievement
and be conducted in accordance with this section. Such annual profes-
sional performance reviews shall be a significant factor for employment
decisions including but not limited to, promotion, retention, tenure
determination, termination, and supplemental compensation, which deci-
sions are to be made in accordance with locally developed procedures
negotiated pursuant to the requirements of article fourteen of the civil
service law where applicable. Provided, however, that nothing in this
section shall be construed to affect the UNFETTERED statutory right of a
school district or board of cooperative educational services to termi-
nate a probationary teacher or principal for ANY statutorily and consti-
tutionally permissible reasons [other than the performance of the teach-
er or principal in the classroom or school], including but not limited
to misconduct AND UNTIL A TENURE DECISION IS MADE, THE PERFORMANCE OF
THE TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL IN THE CLASSROOM. Such performance reviews
shall also be a significant factor in teacher and principal development,
including but not limited to, coaching, induction support and differen-
tiated professional development, which are to be locally established in
accordance with procedures negotiated pursuant to the requirements of
article fourteen of the civil service law.
S 7. Paragraph b of subdivision 5 of section 3012-c of the education
law, as added by chapter 21 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as
follows:
b. Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter or diminish the
authority of the governing body of a school district or board of cooper-
ative educational services to grant or deny tenure to or terminate
probationary teachers or probationary building principals during the
pendency of an appeal pursuant to this section for statutorily and
constitutionally permissible reasons [other than] INCLUDING the teach-
er's or principal's performance that is the subject of the appeal.
S 8. This act shall take effect immediately.
SUBPART E
Section 1. Authority of the commissioner. Notwithstanding any
provisions of section 3012-c of the education law to the contrary, the
commissioner of the state education department, is hereby authorized and
directed to, subject to the provisions of section 207 of the education
law, adopt regulations of the commissioner and guidelines no later than
June 30, 2015, to implement a statewide annual teacher and principal
evaluation system in New York state pursuant to section 3012-d of the
education law, as added by this act, after consulting with experts and
practitioners in the fields of education, economics and psychometrics
and taking into consideration the parameters set forth in the letter
from the Chancellor of the Board of Regents and acting commissioner
dated December 31, 2014, to the New York State Director of State Oper-
ations. The commissioner shall also establish a process to accept public
comments and recommendations regarding the adoption of regulations
pursuant to section 3012-d of the education law and consult in writing
with the Secretary of the United States Department of Education on
weights, measures and ranking of evaluation categories and subcomponents
and shall release the response from the Secretary upon receipt thereof
but in any event prior to publication of the regulations hereunder.
S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3012-d to
read as follows:
S 3012-D. ANNUAL TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL EVALUATIONS. 1. GENERAL
PROVISIONS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, RULE OR REGU-
LATION TO THE CONTRARY, THE ANNUAL TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL EVALUATIONS
(HEREINAFTER, EVALUATIONS) IMPLEMENTED BY DISTRICTS SHALL BE CONDUCTED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. SUCH ANNUAL EVALU-
ATIONS SHALL BE A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR FOR EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROMOTION, RETENTION, TENURE DETERMINATION, TERMI-
NATION, AND SUPPLEMENTAL COMPENSATION. SUCH EVALUATIONS SHALL ALSO BE A
SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO COACHING, INDUCTION SUPPORT, AND DIFFERENTIATED PROFES-
SIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
2. DEFINITIONS.
A. "DISTRICT" SHALL MEAN SCHOOL DISTRICT AND/OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, EXCEPT THAT FOR PURPOSES OF SUBDIVISION ELEVEN OF
THIS SECTION IT SHALL ONLY MEAN A SCHOOL DISTRICT;
B. "PRINCIPAL" SHALL MEAN A BUILDING PRINCIPAL OR AN ADMINISTRATOR IN
CHARGE OF AN INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM OF A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES;
C. "STUDENT GROWTH" SHALL MEAN THE CHANGE IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT FOR
AN INDIVIDUAL STUDENT BETWEEN TWO OR MORE POINTS IN TIME.
D. "STATE-DESIGNED SUPPLEMENTAL ASSESSMENT" SHALL MEAN A SELECTION OF
STATE TESTS OR ASSESSMENTS DEVELOPED OR DESIGNED BY THE STATE EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT, OR THAT THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PURCHASED OR ACQUIRED
FROM (I) ANOTHER STATE; (II) AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION; OR
(III) A COMMERCIAL OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITY, PROVIDED THAT SUCH ENTITY
MUST BE OBJECTIVE AND MAY NOT HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR APPEARANCE
OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST; SUCH DEFINITION MAY INCLUDE TESTS OR ASSESS-
MENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY DESIGNED OR ACQUIRED BY LOCAL DISTRICTS,
BUT ONLY IF THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SIGNIFICANTLY MODIFIES GROWTH
TARGETS OR SCORING BANDS FOR SUCH TESTS OR ASSESSMENTS OR OTHERWISE
ADAPTS THE TEST OR ASSESSMENT TO THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S
REQUIREMENTS.
3. RATINGS. THE ANNUAL EVALUATIONS CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
SHALL RATE TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL EFFECTIVENESS USING THE FOLLOWING CATE-
GORIES: HIGHLY EFFECTIVE OR "H", EFFECTIVE OR "E", DEVELOPING OR "D" AND
INEFFECTIVE OR "I".
4. CATEGORIES. THE ANNUAL EVALUATION SYSTEM SHALL CONSIST OF MULTIPLE
MEASURES IN TWO CATEGORIES: STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND TEACHER OBSERVA-
TIONS.
A. STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY. SUCH CATEGORY SHALL HAVE AT LEAST ONE
SUBCOMPONENT AND AN OPTIONAL SECOND SUBCOMPONENT AS FOLLOWS:
(1) FOR THE FIRST SUBCOMPONENT, (A) FOR A TEACHER WHOSE COURSE ENDS IN
A STATE-CREATED OR ADMINISTERED TEST FOR WHICH THERE IS A STATE-PROVIDED
GROWTH MODEL, SUCH TEACHER SHALL HAVE A STATE-PROVIDED GROWTH SCORE
BASED ON SUCH MODEL; AND (B) FOR A TEACHER WHOSE COURSE DOES NOT END IN
A STATE-CREATED OR ADMINISTERED TEST SUCH TEACHER SHALL HAVE A STUDENT
LEARNING OBJECTIVE (SLO) CONSISTENT WITH A GOAL-SETTING PROCESS DETER-
MINED OR DEVELOPED BY THE COMMISSIONER, THAT RESULTS IN A STUDENT GROWTH
SCORE; PROVIDED THAT, FOR ANY TEACHER WHOSE COURSE ENDS IN A STATE-
CREATED OR ADMINISTERED ASSESSMENT FOR WHICH THERE IS NO STATE-PROVIDED
GROWTH MODEL, SUCH ASSESSMENT MUST BE USED AS THE UNDERLYING ASSESSMENT
FOR SUCH SLO;
(2) FOR THE OPTIONAL SECOND SUBCOMPONENT, A DISTRICT MAY LOCALLY
SELECT A SECOND MEASURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBPARAGRAPH. SUCH
SECOND MEASURE SHALL APPLY IN A CONSISTENT MANNER, TO THE EXTENT PRACTI-
CABLE, ACROSS THE DISTRICT AND BE EITHER: (A) A SECOND STATE-PROVIDED
GROWTH SCORE ON A STATE-CREATED OR ADMINISTERED TEST UNDER CLAUSE (A) OF
SUBPARAGRAPH ONE OF THIS PARAGRAPH, OR (B) A GROWTH SCORE BASED ON A
STATE-DESIGNED SUPPLEMENTAL ASSESSMENT, CALCULATED USING A STATE-PROVID-
ED OR APPROVED GROWTH MODEL. THE OPTIONAL SECOND SUBCOMPONENT SHALL
PROVIDE OPTIONS FOR MULTIPLE ASSESSMENT MEASURES THAT ARE ALIGNED TO
EXISTING CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL BEST PRACTICES AND TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION
THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE TESTING REDUCTION REPORT AS REQUIRED BY
SECTION ONE OF SUBPART F OF THE CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF TWO THOUSAND
FIFTEEN WHICH ADDED THIS SECTION REGARDING THE REDUCTION OF UNNECESSARY
ADDITIONAL TESTING.
THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DETERMINE THE WEIGHTS AND SCORING RANGES FOR
THE SUBCOMPONENT OR SUBCOMPONENTS OF THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY
THAT SHALL RESULT IN A COMBINED CATEGORY RATING. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
ALSO SET PARAMETERS FOR APPROPRIATE TARGETS FOR STUDENT GROWTH FOR BOTH
SUBCOMPONENTS, AND THE DEPARTMENT MUST AFFIRMATIVELY APPROVE AND SHALL
HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DISAPPROVE OR REQUIRE MODIFICATIONS OF DISTRICT
PLANS THAT DO NOT SET APPROPRIATE GROWTH TARGETS, INCLUDING AFTER
INITIAL APPROVAL. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL SET SUCH WEIGHTS AND PARAMETERS
CONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS CONTAINED HEREIN.
B. TEACHER OBSERVATIONS CATEGORY. THE OBSERVATIONS CATEGORY FOR TEACH-
ERS SHALL BE BASED ON A STATE-APPROVED RUBRIC AND SHALL INCLUDE UP TO
THREE SUBCOMPONENTS. SUCH CATEGORY MUST INCLUDE: (1) A SUBCOMPONENT
BASED ON CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS CONDUCTED BY A PRINCIPAL OR OTHER
TRAINED ADMINISTRATOR AND MUST ALSO INCLUDE (2) A SUBCOMPONENT BASED ON
CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS BY AN IMPARTIAL INDEPENDENT TRAINED EVALUATOR OR
EVALUATORS SELECTED BY THE DISTRICT. AN INDEPENDENT TRAINED EVALUATOR
MAY BE EMPLOYED WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT NOT THE SAME SCHOOL
BUILDING, AS THE TEACHER BEING EVALUATED. SUCH CATEGORY MAY ALSO INCLUDE
A SUBCOMPONENT BASED ON CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS CONDUCTED BY A TRAINED
PEER TEACHER RATED EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FROM THE SAME SCHOOL OR
FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT.
THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DETERMINE THE WEIGHTS, AND/OR WEIGHTING OPTIONS
AND SCORING RANGES FOR THE SUBCOMPONENTS OF THE OBSERVATIONS CATEGORY
THAT RESULT IN A COMBINED CATEGORY RATING. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ALSO
DETERMINE THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF OBSERVATIONS TO BE CONDUCTED ANNUALLY,
INCLUDING FREQUENCY AND DURATION, AND ANY PARAMETERS THEREFOR. THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL SET SUCH WEIGHTS AND SCORES CONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS
CONTAINED HEREIN.
5. RATING DETERMINATION. THE OVERALL RATING DETERMINATION SHALL BE
DETERMINED ACCORDING TO A METHODOLOGY AS FOLLOWS:
A. THE FOLLOWING RULES SHALL APPLY: A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL WHO IS (1)
RATED USING TWO SUBCOMPONENTS IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY AND
RECEIVES A RATING OF INEFFECTIVE IN SUCH CATEGORY SHALL BE RATED INEF-
FECTIVE OVERALL; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF THE MEASURE USED IN THE
SECOND SUBCOMPONENT IS A STATE-PROVIDED GROWTH SCORE ON A STATE-CREATED
OR ADMINISTERED TEST PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (A) OF SUBPARAGRAPH ONE OF PARA-
GRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION, A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL WHO
RECEIVES A RATING OF INEFFECTIVE IN SUCH CATEGORY SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE
TO RECEIVE A RATING OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE OVERALL; (2) RATED
USING ONLY THE STATE MEASURE SUBCOMPONENT IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE
CATEGORY AND RECEIVES A RATING OF INEFFECTIVE IN SUCH CATEGORY SHALL NOT
BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A RATING OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE OVER-
ALL; AND (3) RATED INEFFECTIVE IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATIONS CATEGORY
SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A RATING OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFEC-
TIVE OVERALL.
B. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH A OF THIS SUBDIVISION, A
TEACHER'S COMPOSITE SCORE SHALL BE DETERMINED AS FOLLOWS:
(1) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN H IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN H IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE H;
(2) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN H IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN E IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE H;
(3) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN H IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND A D IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE E;
(4) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN H IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN I IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE D;
(5) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN E IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN H IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE H;
(6) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN E IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN E IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE E;
(7) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN E IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND A D IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE E;
(8) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN E IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN I IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE D;
(9) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES A D IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY, AND
AN H IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE SCORE
SHALL BE E;
(10) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES A D IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN E IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE E;
(11) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES A D IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND A D IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE D;
(12) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES A D IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN I IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE I;
(13) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN I IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN H IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE D;
(14) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN I IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN E IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE D;
(15) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN I IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND A D IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE I;
(16) IF A TEACHER RECEIVES AN I IN THE TEACHER OBSERVATION CATEGORY,
AND AN I IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, THE TEACHER'S COMPOSITE
SCORE SHALL BE I.
6. PROHIBITED ELEMENTS. THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS SHALL NO LONGER BE
ELIGIBLE TO BE USED IN ANY EVALUATION SUBCOMPONENT PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION:
A. EVIDENCE OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE DERIVED FROM LESSON
PLANS, OTHER ARTIFACTS OF TEACHER PRACTICE, AND STUDENT PORTFOLIOS,
EXCEPT FOR STUDENT PORTFOLIOS MEASURED BY A STATE-APPROVED RUBRIC WHERE
PERMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT;
B. USE OF AN INSTRUMENT FOR PARENT OR STUDENT FEEDBACK;
C. USE OF PROFESSIONAL GOAL-SETTING AS EVIDENCE OF TEACHER OR PRINCI-
PAL EFFECTIVENESS;
D. ANY DISTRICT OR REGIONALLY-DEVELOPED ASSESSMENT THAT HAS NOT BEEN
APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT; AND
E. ANY GROWTH OR ACHIEVEMENT TARGET THAT DOES NOT MEET THE MINIMUM
STANDARDS AS SET FORTH IN REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER ADOPTED HERE-
UNDER.
7. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ENSURE THAT THE PROCESS BY WHICH WEIGHTS AND
SCORING RANGES ARE ASSIGNED TO SUBCOMPONENTS AND CATEGORIES IS TRANSPAR-
ENT AND AVAILABLE TO THOSE BEING RATED BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF EACH
SCHOOL YEAR. SUCH PROCESS MUST ENSURE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A TEACHER
OR PRINCIPAL TO OBTAIN ANY NUMBER OF POINTS IN THE APPLICABLE SCORING
RANGES, INCLUDING ZERO, IN EACH SUBCOMPONENT. THE SUPERINTENDENT,
DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OR CHANCELLOR AND THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT (WHERE ONE EXISTS) SHALL CERTIFY IN THE
DISTRICT'S PLAN THAT THE EVALUATION PROCESS SHALL USE THE STANDARDS FOR
THE SCORING RANGES PROVIDED BY THE COMMISSIONER. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT
IN ANY EVENT, THE FOLLOWING RULES SHALL APPLY: A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL
WHO IS:
A. RATED USING TWO SUBCOMPONENTS IN THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE CATEGORY
AND RECEIVES A RATING OF INEFFECTIVE IN SUCH CATEGORY SHALL BE RATED
INEFFECTIVE OVERALL, EXCEPT THAT IF THE MEASURE USED IN THE SECOND
SUBCOMPONENT IS A SECOND STATE-PROVIDED GROWTH SCORE ON A STATE-ADMINIS-
TERED OR SPONSORED TEST PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (A) OF SUBPARAGRAPH ONE OF
PARAGRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION, A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL
THAT RECEIVES A RATING OF INEFFECTIVE IN SUCH CATEGORY SHALL NOT BE
ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A RATING OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE OVERALL;
B. RATED USING ONLY THE STATE MEASURE SUBCOMPONENT IN THE STUDENT
PERFORMANCE CATEGORY AND RECEIVES A RATING OF INEFFECTIVE IN SUCH CATE-
GORY SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A RATING OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY
EFFECTIVE OVERALL; AND
C. RATED INEFFECTIVE IN THE OBSERVATIONS CATEGORY SHALL NOT BE ELIGI-
BLE TO RECEIVE A RATING OF EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE OVERALL.
8. A STUDENT MAY NOT BE INSTRUCTED, FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE SCHOOL YEARS,
BY ANY TWO TEACHERS IN THE SAME DISTRICT, EACH OF WHOM RECEIVED A RATING
OF INEFFECTIVE UNDER AN EVALUATION CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION IN
THE SCHOOL YEAR IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH THE
STUDENT IS PLACED IN THE TEACHER'S CLASSROOM; PROVIDED, THAT IF A
DISTRICT DEEMS IT IMPRACTICABLE TO COMPLY WITH THIS SUBDIVISION, THE
DISTRICT SHALL SEEK A WAIVER FROM THE DEPARTMENT FROM SUCH REQUIREMENT.
9. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO AFFECT THE UNFETTERED
STATUTORY RIGHT OF A DISTRICT TO TERMINATE A PROBATIONARY (NON-TENURED)
TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL FOR ANY STATUTORILY AND CONSTITUTIONALLY PERMISSI-
BLE REASONS.
10. THE LOCAL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVE SHALL NEGOTIATE
WITH THE DISTRICT:
A. WHETHER TO USE A SECOND MEASURE, AND, IN THE EVENT THAT A SECOND
MEASURE IS USED, WHICH MEASURE TO USE, PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH TWO OF
PARAGRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION AND
B. HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH B OF SUBDIVISION FOUR
OF THIS SECTION, AND ASSOCIATED REGULATIONS AS ESTABLISHED BY THE
COMMISSIONER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE FOURTEEN OF THE CIVIL SERVICE
LAW.
11. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY INCONSISTENT PROVISION OF LAW, NO SCHOOL
DISTRICT SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN APPORTIONMENT OF GENERAL SUPPORT FOR
PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM THE FUNDS APPROPRIATED FOR THE 2015--2016 SCHOOL
YEAR AND ANY YEAR THEREAFTER IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT APPORTIONED TO SUCH
SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE RESPECTIVE BASE YEAR UNLESS SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT
HAS SUBMITTED DOCUMENTATION THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER
BY NOVEMBER FIFTEENTH, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, OR BY SEPTEMBER FIRST OF
EACH SUBSEQUENT YEAR, DEMONSTRATING THAT IT HAS FULLY IMPLEMENTED THE
STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING ANNUAL TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL
EVALUATIONS OF TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIRE-
MENTS OF THIS SECTION AND THE REGULATIONS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
PROVIDED FURTHER THAT ANY APPORTIONMENT WITHHELD PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION SHALL NOT OCCUR PRIOR TO APRIL FIRST OF THE CURRENT YEAR AND
SHALL NOT HAVE ANY EFFECT ON THE BASE YEAR CALCULATION FOR USE IN THE
SUBSEQUENT SCHOOL YEAR. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "BASE YEAR" SHALL
MEAN THE BASE YEAR AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH B OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF
SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER, AND "CURRENT YEAR" SHALL
MEAN THE CURRENT YEAR AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF
SECTION THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER.
12. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, RULE OR REGULATION TO
THE CONTRARY, ALL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO AFTER
APRIL FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIRE-
MENTS OF THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE AGREEMENT RELATES TO THE TWO THOUSAND
FOURTEEN--TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN SCHOOL YEAR ONLY. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION
SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO ABROGATE ANY CONFLICTING PROVISIONS OF ANY COLLEC-
TIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT IN EFFECT ON APRIL FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN
DURING THE TERM OF SUCH AGREEMENT AND UNTIL THE ENTRY INTO A SUCCESSOR
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, PROVIDED THAT NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, UPON EXPIRATION OF SUCH TERM AND THE
ENTRY INTO A SUCCESSOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY.
13. ANY REFERENCE IN LAW TO "ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW"
SHALL BE DEEMED TO REFER TO AN ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW
PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OF THIS ARTICLE OR ANNUAL
TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL EVALUATIONS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND ANY
REFERENCES TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE
DEEMED TO REFER TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OF THIS ARTICLE
AND/OR THIS SECTION, AS APPLICABLE.
14. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS TO ALIGN THE PRINCIPAL
EVALUATION SYSTEM AS SET FORTH IN SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OF
THIS ARTICLE WITH THE NEW TEACHER EVALUATION SYSTEM SET FORTH HEREIN.
15. THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPHS D, K, K-1, K-2 AND L OF SUBDIVISION
TWO AND SUBDIVISIONS FOUR, FIVE, FIVE-A, NINE, AND TEN OF SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-C OF THIS ARTICLE, AS AMENDED, SHALL APPLY TO THIS
SECTION TO THE EXTENT DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
SUBPART F
Section 1. Testing reduction report. New York families in many
districts are expressing significant stress and anxiety from over-test-
ing. The demands of state tests have been growing and there has been an
increase in the number of local tests. As a result, testing in many
districts has reached a level that is counterproductive and must be
addressed. On or before June 1, 2015, the Chancellor of the Board of
Regents shall submit a report to the Governor, the Temporary President
of the Senate, and the Speaker of the Assembly outlining recommendations
that shall help to: reduce the amount of state and local student test-
ing, improve the quality thereof, and thereby reduce test-related stress
and anxiety for students and educators. The report shall outline ways in
which any future testing in New York shall be implemented in a manner
that minimizes classroom preparation, student stress and student anxie-
ty. The Chancellor shall work with students, parents, educators, school
districts, and other relevant stakeholders in preparing the report.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
SUBPART G
Section 1. Subdivision 7-a of section 305 of the education law, as
added by chapter 296 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
7-a. a. In addition to the authority to revoke and annul a certificate
of qualification of a teacher in a proceeding brought pursuant to subdi-
vision seven of this section, the commissioner shall be authorized, and
it shall be his or her duty, to revoke and annul in accordance with this
subdivision the teaching certificate of a teacher convicted of a sex
offense for which registration as a sex offender is required pursuant to
article six-C of the correction law OR OF ANY OTHER VIOLENT FELONY
OFFENSE OR OFFENSES COMMITTED AGAINST A CHILD WHEN SUCH CHILD WAS THE
INTENDED VICTIM OF SUCH OFFENSE.
b. As used in this subdivision, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(1) "conviction" means any conviction whether by plea of guilty or
nolo contendere or from a verdict after trial or otherwise;
(2) "sex offense" means an offense set forth in subdivision two or
three of section one hundred sixty-eight-a of the correction law,
including an offense committed in any jurisdiction for which the offen-
der is required to register as a sex offender in New York;
(3) "teacher" means any professional educator holding a teaching
certificate as defined in subparagraph four of this paragraph, including
but not limited to a classroom teacher, teaching assistant, pupil
personnel services professional, school administrator or supervisor or
superintendent of schools; [and]
(4) "teaching certificate" means the certificate or license or other
certificate of qualification granted to a teacher by any authority what-
soever; AND
(5) "VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSE" MEANS ANY OFFENSE AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVI-
SION ONE OF SECTION 70.02 OF THE PENAL LAW.
c. Upon receipt of a certified copy of a criminal history record show-
ing that a teacher has been convicted of a sex offense or sex offenses
OR A VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSE OR OFFENSES COMMITTED AGAINST A CHILD WHEN
SUCH CHILD WAS THE INTENDED VICTIM OF SUCH OFFENSE or upon receipt of
notice of such a conviction as provided in paragraph d of this subdivi-
sion, the commissioner shall automatically revoke and annul the teaching
certificate of such teacher without the right to a hearing. The commis-
sioner shall mail notice of the revocation and annulment pursuant to
this subdivision by certified mail, return receipt requested, and by
first-class mail directed to the teacher at such teacher's last known
address and, if different, the last address filed by the certificate
holder with the commissioner and to the teacher's counsel of record in
the criminal proceeding as reported in the notice pursuant to paragraph
d of this subdivision. Such notice shall inform the teacher that his or
her certificate has been revoked and annulled, identify the sex offense
or sex offenses OR VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSE OR OFFENSES COMMITTED AGAINST
A CHILD WHEN SUCH CHILD WAS THE INTENDED VICTIM OF SUCH OFFENSE of which
the teacher has been convicted and shall set forth the procedure to
follow if the teacher denies he or she is the person who has been so
convicted. If such teacher notifies the commissioner in writing within
twenty-five days after the date of receipt of the notice that he or she
is not the same person as the convicted offender identified in the crim-
inal record or identified pursuant to paragraph d of this subdivision,
provides proof to reasonably support such claim and the commissioner is
satisfied the proof establishes such claim, the commissioner shall,
within five business days of the receipt of such proof, restore such
teacher's teaching certificate retroactive to the date of revocation and
annulment.
d. Upon conviction of a teacher of a sex offense defined in this
subdivision, the district attorney or other prosecuting authority who
obtained such conviction shall provide notice of such conviction to the
commissioner identifying the sex offense or sex offenses OR VIOLENT
FELONY OFFENSE OR OFFENSES COMMITTED AGAINST A CHILD WHEN SUCH CHILD WAS
THE INTENDED VICTIM OF SUCH OFFENSE of which the teacher has been
convicted, the name and address of such offender and other identifying
information prescribed by the commissioner, including the offender's
date of birth and social security number, to the extent consistent with
federal and state laws governing personal privacy and confidentiality of
information. Such notice shall also include the name and business
address of the offender's counsel of record in the criminal proceeding.
e. Upon receipt of proof that the conviction or convictions that
formed the basis for revocation and annulment of the teacher's teaching
certificate pursuant to this subdivision have been set aside upon appeal
or otherwise reversed, vacated or annulled, the commissioner shall be
required to conduct a due process hearing pursuant to subdivision seven
of this section and part eighty-three of title eight of the New York
codes, rules and regulations prior to making a determination as to
whether to reinstate the teacher's original teaching certificate. Such
determination shall be made within ninety days after such proof has been
received.
f. Except as provided in paragraph g of this subdivision, and notwith-
standing any other provision of law to the contrary, a teacher shall be
reinstated to his or her position of employment in a public school, with
full back pay and benefits from the date his or her certificate was
revoked or annulled to the date of such reinstatement, under the follow-
ing circumstances:
(i) The termination of employment was based solely on the conviction
of a sex offense, OR CONVICTION OF A VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSE OR OFFENSES
COMMITTED AGAINST A CHILD WHEN SUCH CHILD WAS THE INTENDED VICTIM OF
SUCH OFFENSE or the revocation or annulment of a certificate based on
such conviction, and such conviction has been set aside on appeal or
otherwise reversed, vacated or annulled and the commissioner has rein-
stated the teacher's certification pursuant to paragraph e of this
subdivision; or
(ii) The termination of employment was based solely on the conviction
of a sex offense OR VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSE OR OFFENSES COMMITTED AGAINST
A CHILD WHEN SUCH CHILD WAS THE INTENDED VICTIM OF SUCH OFFENSE and it
has been determined that the teacher is not the same person as the
convicted offender.
g. If a teacher's employment was terminated as a result of a discipli-
nary proceeding conducted pursuant to section three thousand twenty-a of
this chapter or other disciplinary hearing conducted pursuant to any
collective bargaining or contractual agreement on one or more grounds
other than conviction of a sex offense, or the revocation or annulment
of a certificate based on such conviction, then nothing in paragraph f
of this subdivision shall require a school district to reinstate employ-
ment of such teacher or be liable for back pay or benefits.
h. No provision of this article shall be deemed to preclude the
following: (i) the commissioner from conducting a due process hearing
pursuant to subdivision seven of this section and part eighty-three of
title eight of the New York codes, rules and regulations; or (ii) a
school district or employing board from bringing a disciplinary proceed-
ing pursuant to section three thousand twenty-a OR THREE THOUSAND TWEN-
TY-B of this chapter; or (iii) a school district or employing board from
bringing an alternative disciplinary proceeding conducted pursuant to a
collective bargaining or contractual agreement.
i. The commissioner shall be authorized to promulgate any regulations
necessary to implement the provisions of this subdivision.
S 2. Subdivision 3 and paragraph a of subdivision 4 of section 3020 of
the education law, as amended by chapter 103 of the laws of 2010, are
amended to read as follows:
3. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, the procedures
set forth in section three thousand twenty-a of this article and subdi-
vision seven of section twenty-five hundred ninety-j of this chapter may
be modified or replaced by agreements negotiated between the city school
district of the city of New York and any employee organization repres-
enting employees or titles that are or were covered by any memorandum of
agreement executed by such city school district and the council of
supervisors and administrators of the city of New York on or after
December first, nineteen hundred ninety-nine. Where such procedures are
so modified or replaced: (i) compliance with such modification or
replacement procedures shall satisfy any provision in this chapter that
requires compliance with section three thousand twenty-a, (ii) any
employee against whom charges have been preferred prior to the effective
date of such modification or replacement shall continue to be subject to
the provisions of such section as in effect on the date such charges
were preferred, (iii) the provisions of subdivisions one and two of this
section shall not apply to agreements negotiated pursuant to this subdi-
vision, and (iv) in accordance with paragraph (e) of subdivision one of
section two hundred nine-a of the civil service law, such modification
or replacement procedures contained in an agreement negotiated pursuant
to this subdivision shall continue as terms of such agreement after its
expiration until a new agreement is negotiated; provided that any alter-
nate disciplinary procedures contained in a collective bargaining agree-
ment that becomes effective on or after July first, two thousand ten
shall provide for an expedited hearing process before a single hearing
officer in accordance with subparagraph (i-a) of paragraph c of subdivi-
sion three of section three thousand twenty-a of this article in cases
in which charges of incompetence are brought against a building princi-
pal based solely upon an allegation of a pattern of ineffective teaching
or performance as defined in section three thousand twelve-c of this
article and shall provide that such a pattern of ineffective teaching or
performance shall constitute very significant evidence of incompetence
which may form the basis for just cause removal of the building princi-
pal AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT ANY ALTERNATE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
CONTAINED IN A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THAT BECOMES EFFECTIVE ON
OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN SHALL PROVIDE THAT ALL HEAR-
INGS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR THREE THOUSAND
TWENTY-B OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE CONDUCTED BEFORE A SINGLE HEARING
OFFICER AND THAT TWO CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT TO ANNUAL
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D
OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL CONSTITUTE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INCOMPETENCE
THAT CAN ONLY BE OVERCOME BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE
EMPLOYEE IS NOT INCOMPETENT IN LIGHT OF ALL SURROUNDING CIRCUMSTANCES,
AND IF NOT SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME, THE FINDING, ABSENT EXTRAORDINARY
CIRCUMSTANCES, SHALL BE JUST CAUSE FOR REMOVAL, AND THAT THREE CONSEC-
UTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT TO ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
REVIEWS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL
CONSTITUTE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INCOMPETENCE THAT CAN ONLY BE OVER-
COME BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE CALCULATION OF ONE OR
MORE OF THE PRINCIPAL'S UNDERLYING COMPONENTS ON THE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL
PERFORMANCE REVIEWS PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE WAS FRAUDULENT, AND IF NOT SUCCESSFUL-
LY OVERCOME, THE FINDING, ABSENT EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES, SHALL BE
JUST CAUSE FOR REMOVAL. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, FRAUD SHALL
INCLUDE MISTAKEN IDENTITY. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of
law, the commissioner shall review any appeals authorized by such
modification or replacement procedures within fifteen days from receipt
by such commissioner of the record of prior proceedings in the matter
subject to appeal. Such review shall have preference over all other
appeals or proceedings pending before such commissioner.
a. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, the procedures
set forth in section three thousand twenty-a of this article and subdi-
vision seven of section twenty-five hundred ninety-j of this chapter may
be modified by agreements negotiated between the city school district of
the city of New York and any employee organization representing employ-
ees or titles that are or were covered by any memorandum of agreement
executed by such city school district and the united federation of
teachers on or after June tenth, two thousand two. Where such proce-
dures are so modified: (i) compliance with such modified procedures
shall satisfy any provision of this chapter that requires compliance
with section three thousand twenty-a of this article; (ii) any employee
against whom charges have been preferred prior to the effective date of
such modification shall continue to be subject to the provisions of such
section as in effect on the date such charges were preferred; (iii) the
provisions of subdivisions one and two of this section shall not apply
to agreements negotiated pursuant to this subdivision, except that no
person enjoying the benefits of tenure shall be disciplined or removed
during a term of employment except for just cause; and (iv) in accord-
ance with paragraph (e) of subdivision one of section two hundred nine-a
of the civil service law, such modified procedures contained in an
agreement negotiated pursuant to this subdivision shall continue as
terms of such agreement after its expiration until a new agreement is
negotiated; and provided further that any alternate disciplinary proce-
dures contained in a collective bargaining agreement that becomes effec-
tive on or after July first, two thousand ten shall provide for an expe-
dited hearing process before a single hearing officer in accordance with
subparagraph (i-a) of paragraph c of subdivision three of section three
thousand twenty-a of this article in cases in which charges of incompe-
tence are brought based solely upon an allegation of a pattern of inef-
fective teaching or performance as defined in section three thousand
twelve-c of this article and shall provide that such a pattern of inef-
fective teaching or performance shall constitute very significant
evidence of incompetence which may form the basis for just cause
removal, AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT ANY ALTERNATE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
CONTAINED IN A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THAT BECOMES EFFECTIVE ON
OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN SHALL PROVIDE THAT ALL HEAR-
INGS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OR THREE THOUSAND
TWENTY-B OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE CONDUCTED BEFORE A SINGLE HEARING
OFFICER AND THAT TWO CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT TO ANNUAL
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D
OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL CONSTITUTE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INCOMPETENCE
THAT CAN ONLY BE OVERCOME BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE
EMPLOYEE IS NOT INCOMPETENT IN LIGHT OF ALL SURROUNDING CIRCUMSTANCES,
AND IF NOT SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME, THE FINDING, ABSENT EXTRAORDINARY
CIRCUMSTANCES, SHALL BE JUST CAUSE FOR REMOVAL, AND THAT THREE CONSEC-
UTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT TO ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
REVIEWS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL
CONSTITUTE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INCOMPETENCE THAT CAN ONLY BE OVER-
COME BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE CALCULATION OF ONE OR
MORE OF THE TEACHER'S UNDERLYING COMPONENTS ON THE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL
PERFORMANCE REVIEWS PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE WAS FRAUDULENT, AND IF NOT SUCCESSFUL-
LY OVERCOME, THE FINDING, ABSENT EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES, SHALL BE
JUST CAUSE FOR REMOVAL. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH, FRAUD SHALL
INCLUDE MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
S 3. Section 3020-a of the education law, as amended by section 1 of
part B of chapter 57 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
S 3020-a. Disciplinary procedures and penalties. 1. Filing of charges.
All charges against a person enjoying the benefits of tenure as provided
in subdivision three of section eleven hundred two, and sections twen-
ty-five hundred nine, twenty-five hundred seventy-three, twenty-five
hundred ninety-j, three thousand twelve and three thousand fourteen of
this chapter shall be in writing and filed with the clerk or secretary
of the school district or employing board during the period between the
actual opening and closing of the school year for which the employed is
normally required to serve. Except as provided in subdivision eight of
section twenty-five hundred seventy-three and subdivision seven of
section twenty-five hundred ninety-j of this chapter, no charges under
this section shall be brought more than three years after the occurrence
of the alleged incompetency or misconduct, except when the charge is of
misconduct constituting a crime when committed.
2. Disposition of charges. a. Upon receipt of the charges, the clerk
or secretary of the school district or employing board shall immediately
notify said board thereof. Within five days after receipt of charges,
the employing board, in executive session, shall determine, by a vote of
a majority of all the members of such board, whether probable cause
exists to bring a disciplinary proceeding against an employee pursuant
to this section. If such determination is affirmative, a written state-
ment specifying (i) the charges in detail, (ii) the maximum penalty
which will be imposed by the board if the employee does not request a
hearing or that will be sought by the board if the employee is found
guilty of the charges after a hearing and (iii) the employee's rights
under this section, shall be immediately forwarded to the accused
employee by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested or by
personal delivery to the employee.
b. The employee may be suspended pending a hearing on the charges and
the final determination thereof. The suspension shall be with pay,
except the employee may be suspended without pay if the employee has
entered a guilty plea to or has been convicted of a felony crime
concerning the criminal sale or possession of a controlled substance, a
precursor of a controlled substance, or drug paraphernalia as defined in
article two hundred twenty or two hundred twenty-one of the penal law;
or a felony crime involving the physical abuse of a minor or student.
C. WHERE CHARGES OF MISCONDUCT CONSTITUTING PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL ABUSE
OF A STUDENT ARE BROUGHT ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN,
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY SUSPEND THE EMPLOYEE WITHOUT PAY PENDING AN
EXPEDITED HEARING PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (I-A) OF PARAGRAPH C OF
SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER LAW, RULE,
OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A PROC-
ESS IN REGULATIONS FOR A PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING BEFORE AN IMPARTIAL
HEARING OFFICER WITHIN TEN DAYS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DECISION TO
SUSPEND AN EMPLOYEE WITHOUT PAY PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH SHOULD BE
CONTINUED OR REVERSED. THE PROCESS FOR SELECTION OF AN IMPARTIAL HEAR-
ING OFFICER SHALL BE AS SIMILAR AS POSSIBLE TO THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN IMPARTIAL HEARING OFFICER FOR DUE PROCESS
COMPLAINTS PURSUANT TO SECTION FORTY-FOUR HUNDRED FOUR OF THIS CHAPTER.
THE HEARING OFFICER SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER PROBABLE CAUSE SUPPORTS THE
CHARGES AND SHALL REVERSE THE DECISION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO
SUSPEND THE EMPLOYEE WITHOUT PAY AND REINSTATE SUCH PAY UPON A FINDING
THAT PROBABLE CAUSE DOES NOT SUPPORT THE CHARGES. THE HEARING OFFICER
MAY ALSO REINSTATE PAY UPON A WRITTEN DETERMINATION THAT A SUSPENSION
WITHOUT PAY IS GROSSLY DISPROPORTIONATE IN LIGHT OF ALL SURROUNDING
CIRCUMSTANCES. PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT SUCH AN EMPLOYEE SHALL BE ELIGI-
BLE TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR WITHHELD PAY AND ACCRUED INTEREST AT A
RATE OF SIX PERCENT COMPOUNDED ANNUALLY IF THE HEARING OFFICER FINDS IN
HIS OR HER FAVOR, EITHER AT THE PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING OR IN A FINAL
DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THE EXPEDITED HEARING HELD PURSUANT TO SUBPAR-
AGRAPH (I-A) OF PARAGRAPH C OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION. ANY
SUSPENSION WITHOUT PAY SHALL LAST NO LONGER THAN ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY
DAYS FROM THE DECISION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO SUSPEND THE EMPLOYEE
WITHOUT PAY AND SUCH SUSPENSION SHALL ONLY RELATE TO EMPLOYEE COMPEN-
SATION, EXCLUSIVE OF OTHER BENEFITS AND GUARANTEES. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY
OTHER PROVISION OF LAW OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, ANY PROVISION OF A
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BY THE CITY OF NEW YORK AS
OF APRIL FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, THAT PROVIDES FOR SUSPENSION WITH-
OUT PAY FOR OFFENSES AS SPECIFIED IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL SUPERSEDE THE
PROVISIONS HEREOF AND SHALL CONTINUE IN EFFECT WITHOUT MODIFICATION AND
MAY BE EXTENDED.
D. The employee shall be terminated without a hearing, as provided for
in this section, upon conviction of a sex offense, as defined in subpar-
agraph two of paragraph b of subdivision seven-a of section three
hundred five of this chapter. To the extent this section applies to an
employee acting as a school administrator or supervisor, as defined in
subparagraph three of paragraph b of subdivision seven-b of section
three hundred five of this chapter, such employee shall be terminated
without a hearing, as provided for in this section, upon conviction of a
felony offense defined in subparagraph two of paragraph b of subdivision
seven-b of section three hundred five of this chapter.
[c. Within] E. (I) FOR HEARINGS COMMENCED BY THE FILING OF CHARGES
PRIOR TO JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, WITHIN ten days of receipt of
the statement of charges, the employee shall notify the clerk or secre-
tary of the employing board in writing whether he or she desires a hear-
ing on the charges and when the charges concern pedagogical incompetence
or issues involving pedagogical judgment, his or her choice of either a
single hearing officer or a three member panel, provided that a three
member panel shall not be available where the charges concern pedagog-
ical incompetence based solely upon a teacher's or principal's pattern
of ineffective teaching or performance as defined in section three thou-
sand twelve-c of this article. All other charges shall be heard by a
single hearing officer.
(II) ALL HEARINGS COMMENCED BY THE FILING OF CHARGES ON OR AFTER JULY
FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN SHALL BE HEARD BY A SINGLE HEARING OFFICER.
[d.] F. The unexcused failure of the employee to notify the clerk or
secretary of his or her desire for a hearing within ten days of the
receipt of charges shall be deemed a waiver of the right to a hearing.
Where an employee requests a hearing in the manner provided for by this
section, the clerk or secretary of the board shall, within three working
days of receipt of the employee's notice or request for a hearing, noti-
fy the commissioner of the need for a hearing. If the employee waives
his or her right to a hearing the employing board shall proceed, within
fifteen days, by a vote of a majority of all members of such board, to
determine the case and fix the penalty, if any, to be imposed in accord-
ance with subdivision four of this section.
3. Hearings. a. Notice of hearing. Upon receipt of a request for a
hearing in accordance with subdivision two of this section, the commis-
sioner shall forthwith notify the American Arbitration Association
(hereinafter "association") of the need for a hearing and shall request
the association to provide to the commissioner forthwith a list of names
of persons chosen by the association from the association's panel of
labor arbitrators to potentially serve as hearing officers together with
relevant biographical information on each arbitrator. Upon receipt of
said list and biographical information, the commissioner shall forthwith
send a copy of both simultaneously to the employing board and the
employee. The commissioner shall also simultaneously notify both the
employing board and the employee of each potential hearing officer's
record in the last five cases of commencing and completing hearings
within the time periods prescribed in this section.
b. (i) Hearing officers. All hearings pursuant to this section shall
be conducted before and by a single hearing officer selected as provided
for in this section. A hearing officer shall not be eligible to serve in
such position if he or she is a resident of the school district, other
than the city of New York, under the jurisdiction of the employing
board, an employee, agent or representative of the employing board or of
any labor organization representing employees of such employing board,
has served as such agent or representative within two years of the date
of the scheduled hearing, or if he or she is then serving as a mediator
or fact finder in the same school district.
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for hearings commenced
by the filing of charges prior to April first, two thousand twelve, the
hearing officer shall be compensated by the department with the custom-
ary fee paid for service as an arbitrator under the auspices of the
association for each day of actual service plus necessary travel and
other reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of his or her
duties. All other expenses of the disciplinary proceedings commenced by
the filing of charges prior to April first, two thousand twelve shall be
paid in accordance with rules promulgated by the commissioner. Claims
for such compensation for days of actual service and reimbursement for
necessary travel and other expenses for hearings commenced by the filing
of charges prior to April first, two thousand twelve shall be paid from
an appropriation for such purpose in the order in which they have been
approved by the commissioner for payment, provided payment shall first
be made for any other hearing costs payable by the commissioner, includ-
ing the costs of transcribing the record, and provided further that no
such claim shall be set aside for insufficiency of funds to make a
complete payment, but shall be eligible for a partial payment in one
year and shall retain its priority date status for appropriations desig-
nated for such purpose in future years.
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule or regulation to
the contrary, for hearings commenced by the filing of charges on or
after April first, two thousand twelve, the hearing officer shall be
compensated by the department for each day of actual service plus neces-
sary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of
his or her duties, provided that the commissioner shall establish a
schedule for maximum rates of compensation of hearing officers based on
customary and reasonable fees for service as an arbitrator and provide
for limitations on the number of study hours that may be claimed.
(ii) The commissioner shall mail to the employing board and the
employee the list of potential hearing officers and biographies provided
to the commissioner by the association, the employing board and the
employee, individually or through their agents or representatives, shall
by mutual agreement select a hearing officer from said list to conduct
the hearing and shall notify the commissioner of their selection.
(iii) Within fifteen days after receiving the list of potential hear-
ing officers as described in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the
employing board and the employee shall each notify the commissioner of
their agreed upon hearing officer selection. If the employing board and
the employee fail to agree on an arbitrator to serve as a hearing offi-
cer from the list of potential hearing officers, or fail to notify the
commissioner of a selection within such fifteen day time period, the
commissioner shall appoint a hearing officer from the list. The
provisions of this subparagraph shall not apply in cities with a popu-
lation of one million or more with alternative procedures specified in
section three thousand twenty of this article.
(iv) In those cases COMMENCED BY THE FILING OF CHARGES PRIOR TO JULY
FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN in which the employee elects to have the
charges heard by a hearing panel, the hearing panel shall consist of the
hearing officer, selected in accordance with this subdivision, and two
additional persons, one selected by the employee and one selected by the
employing board, from a list maintained for such purpose by the commis-
sioner. The list shall be composed of professional personnel with admin-
istrative or supervisory responsibility, professional personnel without
administrative or supervisory responsibility, chief school administra-
tors, members of employing boards and others selected from lists of
nominees submitted to the commissioner by statewide organizations
representing teachers, school administrators and supervisors and the
employing boards. Hearing panel members other than the hearing officer
shall be compensated by the department at the rate of one hundred
dollars for each day of actual service plus necessary travel and subsis-
tence expenses. The hearing officer shall be compensated as set forth in
this subdivision. The hearing officer shall be the chairperson of the
hearing panel.
c. Hearing procedures. (i) (A) The commissioner shall have the power
to establish necessary rules and procedures for the conduct of hearings
under this section.
(B) The department shall be authorized to monitor and investigate a
hearing officer's compliance with statutory timelines pursuant to this
section. The commissioner shall annually inform all hearing officers who
have heard cases pursuant to this section during the preceding year that
the time periods prescribed in this section for conducting such hearings
are to be strictly followed. A record of continued failure to commence
and complete hearings within the time periods prescribed in this section
shall be considered grounds for the commissioner to exclude such indi-
vidual from the list of potential hearing officers sent to the employing
board and the employee for such hearings.
(C) Such rules shall not require compliance with technical rules of
evidence. Hearings shall be conducted by the hearing officer selected
pursuant to paragraph b of this subdivision with full and fair disclo-
sure of the nature of the case and evidence against the employee by the
employing board and shall be public or private at the discretion of the
employee AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT THE HEARING OFFICER, AT THE PRE-HEAR-
ING CONFERENCE, SHALL SET A SCHEDULE AND MANNER FOR FULL AND FAIR
DISCLOSURE OF THE WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE TO BE OFFERED BY THE EMPLOYEE.
The employee shall have a reasonable opportunity to defend himself or
herself and an opportunity to testify in his or her own behalf. The
employee shall not be required to testify. Each party shall have the
right to be represented by counsel, to subpoena witnesses, and to cross-
examine witnesses. All testimony taken shall be under oath which the
hearing officer is hereby authorized to administer. A CHILD WITNESS
UNDER THE AGE OF FOURTEEN MAY BE PERMITTED TO TESTIFY THROUGH THE USE OF
LIVE, TWO-WAY CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION, AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION 65.00 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW, WHEN
THE HEARING OFFICER, AFTER PROVIDING THE EMPLOYEE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO
BE HEARD, DETERMINES BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT SUCH CHILD
WITNESS WOULD SUFFER SERIOUS MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL HARM WHICH WOULD
SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR SUCH CHILD'S ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IF REQUIRED TO
TESTIFY AT THE HEARING WITHOUT THE USE OF LIVE, TWO-WAY CLOSED-CIRCUIT
TELEVISION AND THAT THE USE OF SUCH LIVE, TWO-WAY CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELE-
VISION WILL DIMINISH THE LIKELIHOOD OR EXTENT OF SUCH HARM. IN MAKING
SUCH DETERMINATION, THE HEARING OFFICER SHALL CONSIDER ANY APPLICABLE
FACTORS CONTAINED IN SUBDIVISION TEN OF SECTION 65.20 OF THE CRIMINAL
PROCEDURE LAW. WHERE THE HEARING OFFICER DETERMINES THAT SUCH CHILD
WITNESS WILL BE PERMITTED TO TESTIFY THROUGH THE USE OF LIVE, TWO-WAY
CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION, THE TESTIMONY OF SUCH CHILD WITNESS SHALL BE
TAKEN IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH SECTION 65.30 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCE-
DURE LAW.
(D) An accurate record of the proceedings shall be kept at the expense
of the department at each such hearing in accordance with the regu-
lations of the commissioner. A copy of the record of the hearings shall,
upon request, be furnished without charge to the employee and the board
of education involved. The department shall be authorized to utilize any
new technology or such other appropriate means to transcribe or record
such hearings in an accurate, reliable, efficient and cost-effective
manner without any charge to the employee or board of education
involved.
(i-a)(A) [Where charges of incompetence are brought based solely upon
a pattern of ineffective teaching or performance of a classroom teacher
or principal, as defined in section three thousand twelve-c of this
article, the hearing shall be conducted before and by a single hearing
officer in an expedited hearing, which shall commence within seven days
after the pre-hearing conference and shall be completed within sixty
days after the pre-hearing conference. The hearing officer shall estab-
lish a hearing schedule at the pre-hearing conference to ensure that the
expedited hearing is completed within the required timeframes and to
ensure an equitable distribution of days between the employing board and
the charged employee. Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation
to the contrary, no adjournments may be granted that would extend the
hearing beyond such sixty days, except as authorized in this subpara-
graph. A hearing officer, upon request, may grant a limited and time
specific adjournment that would extend the hearing beyond such sixty
days if the hearing officer determines that the delay is attributable to
a circumstance or occurrence substantially beyond the control of the
requesting party and an injustice would result if the adjournment were
not granted.
(B) Such charges shall allege that the employing board has developed
and substantially implemented a teacher or principal improvement plan in
accordance with subdivision four of section three thousand twelve-c of
this article for the employee following the first evaluation in which
the employee was rated ineffective, and the immediately preceding evalu-
ation if the employee was rated developing. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law to the contrary, a pattern of ineffective teaching or
performance as defined in section three thousand twelve-c of this arti-
cle shall constitute very significant evidence of incompetence for
purposes of this section. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be
construed to limit the defenses which the employee may place before the
hearing officer in challenging the allegation of a pattern of ineffec-
tive teaching or performance.
(C) The commissioner shall annually inform all hearing officers who
have heard cases pursuant to this section during the preceding year that
the time periods prescribed in this subparagraph for conducting expe-
dited hearings are to be strictly followed. A record of continued fail-
ure to commence and complete expedited hearings within the time periods
prescribed in this subparagraph shall be considered grounds for the
commissioner to exclude such individual from the list of potential hear-
ing officers sent to the employing board and the employee for such expe-
dited hearings.] WHERE CHARGES OF MISCONDUCT CONSTITUTING PHYSICAL OR
SEXUAL ABUSE OF A STUDENT ARE BROUGHT, THE HEARING SHALL BE CONDUCTED
BEFORE AND BY A SINGLE HEARING OFFICER IN AN EXPEDITED HEARING, WHICH
SHALL COMMENCE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE PRE-HEARING CONFERENCE AND
SHALL BE COMPLETED WITHIN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE PRE-HEARING CONFERENCE.
THE HEARING OFFICER SHALL ESTABLISH A HEARING SCHEDULE AT THE PRE-HEAR-
ING CONFERENCE TO ENSURE THAT THE EXPEDITED HEARING IS COMPLETED WITHIN
THE REQUIRED TIMEFRAMES AND TO ENSURE AN EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF DAYS
BETWEEN THE EMPLOYING BOARD AND THE CHARGED EMPLOYEE. NOTWITHSTANDING
ANY OTHER LAW, RULE OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, NO ADJOURNMENTS MAY
BE GRANTED THAT WOULD EXTEND THE HEARING BEYOND SUCH SIXTY DAYS, EXCEPT
AS AUTHORIZED IN THIS SUBPARAGRAPH. A HEARING OFFICER, UPON REQUEST, MAY
GRANT A LIMITED AND TIME SPECIFIC ADJOURNMENT THAT WOULD EXTEND THE
HEARING BEYOND SUCH SIXTY DAYS IF THE HEARING OFFICER DETERMINES THAT
THE DELAY IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO A CIRCUMSTANCE OR OCCURRENCE SUBSTANTIALLY
BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE REQUESTING PARTY AND AN INJUSTICE WOULD RESULT
IF THE ADJOURNMENT WERE NOT GRANTED.
(B) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ANNUALLY INFORM ALL HEARING OFFICERS WHO
HAVE HEARD CASES PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION DURING THE PRECEDING YEAR THAT
THE TIME PERIODS PRESCRIBED IN THIS SUBPARAGRAPH FOR CONDUCTING EXPE-
DITED HEARINGS ARE TO BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED AND FAILURE TO DO SO SHALL BE
CONSIDERED GROUNDS FOR THE COMMISSIONER TO EXCLUDE SUCH INDIVIDUAL FROM
THE LIST OF POTENTIAL HEARING OFFICERS SENT TO THE EMPLOYING BOARD AND
THE EMPLOYEE FOR SUCH EXPEDITED HEARINGS.
(ii) The hearing officer selected to conduct a hearing under this
section shall, within ten to fifteen days of agreeing to serve in such
position, hold a pre-hearing conference which shall be held in the
school district or county seat of the county, or any county, wherein the
employing school board is located. The pre-hearing conference shall be
limited in length to one day except that the hearing officer, in his or
her discretion, may allow one additional day for good cause shown.
(iii) At the pre-hearing conference the hearing officer shall have the
power to:
(A) issue subpoenas;
(B) hear and decide all motions, including but not limited to motions
to dismiss the charges;
(C) hear and decide all applications for bills of particular or
requests for production of materials or information, including, but not
limited to, any witness statement (or statements), investigatory state-
ment (or statements) or note (notes), exculpatory evidence or any other
evidence, including district or student records, relevant and material
to the employee's defense.
(iv) Any pre-hearing motion or application relative to the sufficiency
of the charges, application or amendment thereof, or any preliminary
matters shall be made upon written notice to the hearing officer and the
adverse party no less than five days prior to the date of the pre-hear-
ing conference. Any pre-hearing motions or applications not made as
provided for herein shall be deemed waived except for good cause as
determined by the hearing officer.
(v) In the event that at the pre-hearing conference the employing
board presents evidence that the professional license of the employee
has been revoked and all judicial and administrative remedies have been
exhausted or foreclosed, the hearing officer shall schedule the date,
time and place for an expedited hearing, which hearing shall commence
not more than seven days after the pre-hearing conference and which
shall be limited to one day. The expedited hearing shall be held in the
local school district or county seat of the county or any county, where-
in the said employing board is located. The expedited hearing shall not
be postponed except upon the request of a party and then only for good
cause as determined by the hearing officer. At such hearing, each party
shall have equal time in which to present its case.
(vi) During the pre-hearing conference, the hearing officer shall
determine the reasonable amount of time necessary for a final hearing on
the charge or charges and shall schedule the location, time(s) and
date(s) for the final hearing. The final hearing shall be held in the
local school district or county seat of the county, or any county, wher-
ein the said employing school board is located. In the event that the
hearing officer determines that the nature of the case requires the
final hearing to last more than one day, the days that are scheduled for
the final hearing shall be consecutive. The day or days scheduled for
the final hearing shall not be postponed except upon the request of a
party and then only for good cause shown as determined by the hearing
officer. In all cases, the final hearing shall be completed no later
than sixty days after the pre-hearing conference unless the hearing
officer determines that extraordinary circumstances warrant a limited
extension.
(vii) All evidence shall be submitted by all parties within one
hundred twenty-five days of the filing of charges and no additional
evidence shall be accepted after such time, absent extraordinary circum-
stances beyond the control of the parties.
d. Limitation on claims. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
rule or regulation to the contrary, no payments shall be made by the
department pursuant to this subdivision on or after April first, two
thousand twelve for: (i) compensation of a hearing officer or hearing
panel member, (ii) reimbursement of such hearing officers or panel
members for necessary travel or other expenses incurred by them, or
(iii) for other hearing expenses on a claim submitted later than one
year after the final disposition of the hearing by any means, including
settlement, or within ninety days after the effective date of this para-
graph, whichever is later; provided that no payment shall be barred or
reduced where such payment is required as a result of a court order or
judgment or a final audit.
4. Post hearing procedures. a. The hearing officer shall render a
written decision within thirty days of the last day of the final hear-
ing, or in the case of an expedited hearing within ten days of such
expedited hearing, and shall forward a copy thereof to the commissioner
who shall immediately forward copies of the decision to the employee and
to the clerk or secretary of the employing board. The written decision
shall include the hearing officer's findings of fact on each charge, his
or her conclusions with regard to each charge based on said findings and
shall state what penalty or other action, if any, shall be taken by the
employing board. At the request of the employee, in determining what, if
any, penalty or other action shall be imposed, the hearing officer
[shall] MAY consider the extent to which the employing board made
efforts towards correcting the behavior of the employee which resulted
in charges being brought under this section through means including but
not limited to: remediation, peer intervention or an employee assist-
ance plan. In those cases where a penalty is imposed, such penalty may
be a written reprimand, a fine, suspension for a fixed time without pay,
or dismissal. In addition to or in lieu of the aforementioned penalties,
the hearing officer, where he or she deems appropriate, may impose upon
the employee remedial action including but not limited to leaves of
absence with or without pay, continuing education and/or study, a
requirement that the employee seek counseling or medical treatment or
that the employee engage in any other remedial or combination of remedi-
al actions. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE HEARING OFFICER, IN EXERCISING
HIS OR HER DISCRETION, SHALL GIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO THE PENALTY
RECOMMENDED BY THE EMPLOYING BOARD, AND IF THE HEARING OFFICER REJECTS
THE RECOMMENDED PENALTY SUCH REJECTION MUST BE BASED ON REASONS BASED
UPON THE RECORD AS EXPRESSED IN A WRITTEN DETERMINATION.
b. Within fifteen days of receipt of the hearing officer's decision
the employing board shall implement the decision. If the employee is
acquitted he or she shall be restored to his or her position with full
pay for any period of suspension without pay and the charges expunged
from the employment record. If an employee who was convicted of a felony
crime specified in paragraph b of subdivision two of this section, has
said conviction reversed, the employee, upon application, shall be enti-
tled to have his or her pay and other emoluments restored, for the peri-
od from the date of his or her suspension to the date of the decision.
c. The hearing officer shall indicate in the decision whether any of
the charges brought by the employing board were frivolous as defined in
section eighty-three hundred three-a of the civil practice law and
rules. If the hearing officer finds that all of the charges brought
against the employee were frivolous, the hearing officer shall order the
employing board to reimburse the department the reasonable costs said
department incurred as a result of the proceeding and to reimburse the
employee the reasonable costs, including but not limited to reasonable
attorneys' fees, the employee incurred in defending the charges. If the
hearing officer finds that some but not all of the charges brought
against the employee were frivolous, the hearing officer shall order the
employing board to reimburse the department a portion, in the discretion
of the hearing officer, of the reasonable costs said department incurred
as a result of the proceeding and to reimburse the employee a portion,
in the discretion of the hearing officer, of the reasonable costs,
including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees, the employee
incurred in defending the charges.
5. Appeal. a. Not later than ten days after receipt of the hearing
officer's decision, the employee or the employing board may make an
application to the New York state supreme court to vacate or modify the
decision of the hearing officer pursuant to section seventy-five hundred
eleven of the civil practice law and rules. The court's review shall be
limited to the grounds set forth in such section. The hearing panel's
determination shall be deemed to be final for the purpose of such
proceeding.
b. In no case shall the filing or the pendency of an appeal delay the
implementation of the decision of the hearing officer.
S 4. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3020-b to
read as follows:
S 3020-B. STREAMLINED REMOVAL PROCEDURES FOR TEACHERS RATED INEFFEC-
TIVE. 1. APPLICABILITY. THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO CLASSROOM TEACHERS
AND BUILDING PRINCIPALS WHO RECEIVE TWO OR MORE CONSECUTIVE ANNUAL INEF-
FECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT TO ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND
TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE.
2. FILING AND DISPOSITION OF CHARGES. A. A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR EMPLOY-
ING BOARD MAY BRING CHARGES OF INCOMPETENCE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
AGAINST ANY CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL WHO RECEIVES TWO
CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS. A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR EMPLOYING BOARD
SHALL BRING CHARGES OF INCOMPETENCE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AGAINST ANY
CLASSROOM TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL WHO RECEIVES THREE CONSECUTIVE
INEFFECTIVE RATINGS. ALL CHARGES AGAINST A PERSON ENJOYING THE BENEFITS
OF TENURE AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED
TWO, AND SECTIONS TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED NINE, TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED SEVEN-
TY-THREE, TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED NINETY-J, THREE THOUSAND TWELVE AND THREE
THOUSAND FOURTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE IN WRITING AND FILED WITH THE
CLERK OR SECRETARY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OR EMPLOYING BOARD. EXCEPT AS
PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION EIGHT OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED
SEVENTY-THREE AND SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED NINE-
TY-J OF THIS CHAPTER, NO CHARGES UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE BROUGHT
MORE THAN THREE YEARS AFTER THE OCCURRENCE OF THE ALLEGED INCOMPETENCY.
WHEN SUCH CHARGES ARE BROUGHT, A WRITTEN STATEMENT SPECIFYING (I) THE
CHARGES IN DETAIL, (II) THAT THE PENALTY THAT WILL BE IMPOSED BY THE
BOARD IF THE EMPLOYEE DOES NOT REQUEST A HEARING OR THAT WILL BE SOUGHT
BY THE BOARD AFTER A HEARING IS DISMISSAL; AND (III) THE EMPLOYEE'S
RIGHTS UNDER THIS SECTION, SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY FORWARDED TO THE ACCUSED
EMPLOYEE BY CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED OR BY
PERSONAL DELIVERY TO THE EMPLOYEE.
B. THE EMPLOYEE MAY BE SUSPENDED PENDING A HEARING ON THE CHARGES AND
THE FINAL DETERMINATION THEREOF AND SUCH SUSPENSION SHALL BE WITH PAY.
C. WITHIN TEN DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THE STATEMENT OF CHARGES, THE EMPLOY-
EE SHALL NOTIFY THE CLERK OR SECRETARY OF THE EMPLOYING BOARD IN WRITING
WHETHER HE OR SHE DESIRES A HEARING ON THE CHARGES. THE UNEXCUSED FAIL-
URE OF THE EMPLOYEE TO NOTIFY THE CLERK OR SECRETARY OF HIS OR HER
DESIRE FOR A HEARING WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE RECEIPT OF CHARGES SHALL BE
DEEMED A WAIVER OF THE RIGHT TO A HEARING. WHERE AN EMPLOYEE REQUESTS A
HEARING IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR BY THIS SECTION, THE CLERK OR SECRE-
TARY OF THE BOARD SHALL, WITHIN THREE WORKING DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THE
EMPLOYEE'S NOTICE OR REQUEST FOR A HEARING, NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER OF
THE NEED FOR A HEARING. IF THE EMPLOYEE WAIVES HIS OR HER RIGHT TO A
HEARING THE EMPLOYING BOARD SHALL PROCEED, WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS, BY A
VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF ALL MEMBERS OF SUCH BOARD, TO DETERMINE THE CASE
AND FIX THE PENALTY TO BE IMPOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION FOUR OF
THIS SECTION.
D. CHARGES BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE INEF-
FECTIVE RATINGS SHALL ALLEGE THAT THE EMPLOYING BOARD HAS DEVELOPED AND
SUBSTANTIALLY IMPLEMENTED A TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR SECTION THREE THOU-
SAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE FOR THE EMPLOYEE FOLLOWING THE FIRST EVAL-
UATION IN WHICH THE EMPLOYEE WAS RATED INEFFECTIVE, AND THE IMMEDIATELY
PRECEDING EVALUATION IF THE EMPLOYEE WAS RATED DEVELOPING.
3. HEARINGS. A. NOTICE OF HEARING. UPON RECEIPT OF A REQUEST FOR A
HEARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION, THE COMMIS-
SIONER SHALL FORTHWITH NOTIFY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION
(HEREINAFTER "ASSOCIATION") OF THE NEED FOR A HEARING AND SHALL REQUEST
THAT THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDE TO THE COMMISSIONER FORTHWITH A LIST OF
NAMES OF PERSONS CHOSEN BY THE ASSOCIATION FROM THE ASSOCIATION'S PANEL
OF LABOR ARBITRATORS TO POTENTIALLY SERVE AS HEARING OFFICERS TOGETHER
WITH RELEVANT BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ON EACH ARBITRATOR. UPON RECEIPT
OF SAID LIST AND BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL, IN
THE CASE OF AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS RECEIVED THREE CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE
RATINGS, DIRECTLY APPOINT A HEARING OFFICER FROM THE LIST. IN THE CASE
OF AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS RECEIVED TWO CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS, THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL FORTHWITH SEND A COPY OF THE LIST AND BIOGRAPHICAL
INFORMATION SIMULTANEOUSLY TO THE EMPLOYING BOARD AND THE EMPLOYEE. THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL ALSO SIMULTANEOUSLY NOTIFY BOTH THE EMPLOYING BOARD
AND THE EMPLOYEE OF EACH POTENTIAL HEARING OFFICER'S RECORD IN THE LAST
FIVE CASES OF COMMENCING AND COMPLETING HEARINGS WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS
PRESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH TIME PERI-
ODS FOR THE EMPLOYING BOARD AND THE EMPLOYEE TO NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER
OF THEIR AGREED UPON HEARING OFFICER SELECTION. IF THE EMPLOYING BOARD
AND THE EMPLOYEE FAIL TO AGREE ON AN ARBITRATOR TO SERVE AS A HEARING
OFFICER FROM THE LIST OF POTENTIAL HEARING OFFICERS, OR FAIL TO NOTIFY
THE COMMISSIONER OF A SELECTION WITHIN SUCH ESTABLISHED TIME PERIOD, THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL APPOINT A HEARING OFFICER FROM THE LIST.
B. HEARING OFFICERS. ALL HEARINGS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE
CONDUCTED BEFORE AND BY A SINGLE HEARING OFFICER SELECTED AS PROVIDED
FOR IN THIS SECTION. A HEARING OFFICER SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO SERVE IN
SUCH POSITION IF HE OR SHE IS A RESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, OTHER
THAN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE EMPLOYING
BOARD, AN EMPLOYEE, AGENT OR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EMPLOYING BOARD OR OF
ANY LABOR ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING EMPLOYEES OF SUCH EMPLOYING BOARD,
HE OR SHE HAS SERVED AS SUCH AGENT OR REPRESENTATIVE WITHIN TWO YEARS OF
THE DATE OF THE SCHEDULED HEARING, OR IF HE OR SHE IS THEN SERVING AS A
MEDIATOR OR FACT FINDER IN THE SAME SCHOOL DISTRICT. SUBJECT TO AN
APPROPRIATION, THE HEARING OFFICER SHALL BE COMPENSATED BY THE DEPART-
MENT FOR EACH DAY OF ACTUAL SERVICE PLUS NECESSARY TRAVEL AND OTHER
REASONABLE EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS OR HER DUTIES,
PROVIDED THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE FOR MAXIMUM
RATES OF COMPENSATION OF HEARING OFFICERS BASED ON CUSTOMARY AND REASON-
ABLE FEES FOR SERVICE AS AN ARBITRATOR AND PROVIDE FOR LIMITATIONS ON
THE NUMBER OF STUDY HOURS THAT MAY BE CLAIMED.
C. HEARING PROCEDURES. (I) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO
ESTABLISH NECESSARY RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE CONDUCT OF HEARINGS
UNDER THIS SECTION, AND SHALL ESTABLISH TIMELINES IN REGULATIONS TO
ENSURE THAT THE DURATION OF A REMOVAL PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION, AS MEASURED FROM THE DATE AN EMPLOYEE REQUESTS A HEARING TO THE
FINAL HEARING DATE, IS NO LONGER THAN NINETY DAYS IN THE CASE OF AN
EMPLOYEE WHO HAS RECEIVED TWO CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS AND NO
LONGER THAN THIRTY DAYS IN THE CASE OF AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS RECEIVED
THREE CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH
TIMEFRAMES IN REGULATIONS FOR A PRE-HEARING CONFERENCE WHEREIN A HEARING
OFFICER SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO ISSUE SUBPOENAS, HEAR MOTIONS AND DECIDE
ON OTHER DISCOVERY AND EVIDENTIARY ISSUES. AT SUCH PRE-HEARING CONFER-
ENCE, THE HEARING OFFICER SHALL ESTABLISH A HEARING SCHEDULE AT THE
PRE-HEARING CONFERENCE TO ENSURE THAT THE HEARING IS COMPLETED WITHIN
THE REQUIRED TIME PERIOD AND TO ENSURE AN EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF DAYS
BETWEEN THE EMPLOYING BOARD AND THE CHARGED EMPLOYEE. NOTWITHSTANDING
ANY OTHER LAW, RULE OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, NO ADJOURNMENTS MAY
BE GRANTED THAT WOULD EXTEND THE HEARING BEYOND SUCH TIMELINES, EXCEPT
AS AUTHORIZED IN THIS SUBPARAGRAPH. A HEARING OFFICER MAY GRANT A LIMIT-
ED AND TIME SPECIFIC ADJOURNMENT THAT WOULD EXTEND THE HEARING BEYOND
SUCH TIMELINES IF THE HEARING OFFICER DETERMINES THAT THE DELAY IS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO A CIRCUMSTANCE OR OCCURRENCE SUBSTANTIALLY BEYOND THE
CONTROL OF THE REQUESTING PARTY AND AN INJUSTICE WOULD RESULT IF THE
ADJOURNMENT WERE NOT GRANTED.
(II) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO MONITOR AND INVESTIGATE A
HEARING OFFICER'S COMPLIANCE WITH TIMELINES PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND
TO ANY REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
ANNUALLY INFORM ALL HEARING OFFICERS WHO HAVE HEARD CASES PURSUANT TO
THIS SECTION DURING THE PRECEDING YEAR THAT THE TIME PERIODS PRESCRIBED
IN THIS SECTION FOR CONDUCTING SUCH HEARINGS ARE TO BE STRICTLY
FOLLOWED. A RECORD OF CONTINUED FAILURE TO COMMENCE AND COMPLETE HEAR-
INGS WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS PRESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSID-
ERED GROUNDS FOR THE COMMISSIONER TO EXCLUDE SUCH INDIVIDUAL FROM THE
LIST OF POTENTIAL HEARING OFFICERS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR SUCH HEARINGS.
(III) SUCH RULES SHALL NOT REQUIRE COMPLIANCE WITH TECHNICAL RULES OF
EVIDENCE. HEARINGS SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY THE HEARING OFFICER SELECTED
PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH A OF THIS SUBDIVISION AND SHALL BE PUBLIC OR
PRIVATE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE EMPLOYEE. THE EMPLOYEE SHALL HAVE A
REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO DEFEND HIMSELF OR HERSELF AND AN OPPORTUNITY
TO TESTIFY ON HIS OR HER OWN BEHALF. THE EMPLOYEE SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED
TO TESTIFY. EACH PARTY SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE REPRESENTED BY COUN-
SEL, TO SUBPOENA WITNESSES, AND TO CROSS-EXAMINE WITNESSES. ALL TESTIMO-
NY TAKEN SHALL BE UNDER OATH WHICH THE HEARING OFFICER IS HEREBY AUTHOR-
IZED TO ADMINISTER.
(IV) AN ACCURATE RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS SHALL BE KEPT AT THE
EXPENSE OF THE DEPARTMENT AT EACH SUCH HEARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER. A COPY OF THE RECORD OF THE HEARINGS
SHALL, UPON REQUEST, BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE EMPLOYEE AND THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION INVOLVED. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO
UTILIZE ANY NEW TECHNOLOGY OR SUCH OTHER APPROPRIATE MEANS TO TRANSCRIBE
OR RECORD SUCH HEARINGS IN AN ACCURATE, RELIABLE, EFFICIENT AND COST-EF-
FECTIVE MANNER WITHOUT ANY CHARGE TO THE EMPLOYEE OR BOARD OF EDUCATION
INVOLVED.
(V) LEGAL STANDARD. (A) TWO CONSECUTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT
TO ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND
TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL CONSTITUTE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INCOM-
PETENCE THAT CAN BE OVERCOME ONLY BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT
THE EMPLOYEE IS NOT INCOMPETENT IN LIGHT OF ALL SURROUNDING CIRCUM-
STANCES, AND IF NOT SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME, THE FINDING, ABSENT EXTRAOR-
DINARY CIRCUMSTANCES, SHALL BE JUST CAUSE FOR REMOVAL. (B) THREE CONSEC-
UTIVE INEFFECTIVE RATINGS PURSUANT TO ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
REVIEWS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE
THOUSAND TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL
CONSTITUTE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INCOMPETENCE THAT CAN BE OVERCOME
ONLY BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE CALCULATION OF ONE OR
MORE OF THE TEACHER'S OR PRINCIPAL'S UNDERLYING COMPONENTS ON THE ANNUAL
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND
TWELVE-C OR THREE THOUSAND TWELVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE WAS FRAUDULENT, AND
IF NOT SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME, THE FINDING, ABSENT EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUM-
STANCES, SHALL BE JUST CAUSE FOR REMOVAL. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBPARA-
GRAPH, FRAUD SHALL INCLUDE MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
4. POST HEARING PROCEDURES. A. THE HEARING OFFICER SHALL RENDER A
WRITTEN DECISION WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE LAST DAY OF THE FINAL HEARING,
AND SHALL FORWARD A COPY THEREOF TO THE COMMISSIONER WHO SHALL IMME-
DIATELY FORWARD COPIES OF THE DECISION TO THE EMPLOYEE AND TO THE CLERK
OR SECRETARY OF THE EMPLOYING BOARD. THE WRITTEN DECISION SHALL INCLUDE
THE HEARING OFFICER'S FINDINGS OF FACT ON EACH CHARGE, HIS OR HER
CONCLUSIONS WITH REGARD TO EACH CHARGE BASED ON SAID FINDINGS AND SHALL
STATE WHETHER THE PENALTY OF DISMISSAL SHALL BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYING
BOARD.
B. WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THE HEARING OFFICER'S DECISION
THE EMPLOYING BOARD SHALL IMPLEMENT THE DECISION. IF THE EMPLOYEE IS
ACQUITTED HE OR SHE SHALL BE RESTORED TO HIS OR HER POSITION AND THE
CHARGES EXPUNGED FROM THE EMPLOYMENT RECORD.
5. APPEAL. A. NOT LATER THAN TEN DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE HEARING
OFFICER'S DECISION, THE EMPLOYEE OR THE EMPLOYING BOARD MAY MAKE AN
APPLICATION TO THE NEW YORK STATE SUPREME COURT TO VACATE OR MODIFY THE
DECISION OF THE HEARING OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVENTY-FIVE HUNDRED
ELEVEN OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. THE COURT'S REVIEW SHALL BE
LIMITED TO THE GROUNDS SET FORTH IN SUCH SECTION. THE HEARING PANEL'S
DETERMINATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE FINAL FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH
PROCEEDING.
B. IN NO CASE SHALL THE FILING OR THE PENDENCY OF AN APPEAL DELAY THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION OF THE HEARING OFFICER.
6. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PREVENT THE USE OF
ANY EVIDENCE OF PERFORMANCE TO SUPPORT CHARGES OF INCOMPETENCE BROUGHT
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWENTY-A OF THIS
ARTICLE.
S 5. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015 and shall apply to hear-
ings commenced by the filing or service of charges on or after July 1,
2015, provided that effective immediately, the commissioner of education
shall be authorized to promulgate any regulations needed to implement
the provisions of this act on such effective date.
SUBPART H
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 211-f
to read as follows:
S 211-F. TAKEOVER AND RESTRUCTURING FAILING SCHOOLS. 1. ELIGIBILITY
FOR APPOINTMENT OF AN EXTERNAL RECEIVER. (A) FAILING SCHOOLS. THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL DESIGNATE AS FAILING EACH OF THE SCHOOLS THAT HAS
BEEN IDENTIFIED UNDER THE STATE'S ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM TO BE AMONG THE
LOWEST ACHIEVING FIVE PERCENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE (PRIORITY
SCHOOLS) FOR AT LEAST THREE CONSECUTIVE SCHOOL YEARS, OR IDENTIFIED AS A
"PRIORITY SCHOOL" IN EACH APPLICABLE YEAR OF SUCH PERIOD EXCEPT ONE
SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH THE SCHOOL WAS NOT IDENTIFIED BECAUSE OF AN
APPROVED CLOSURE PLAN THAT WAS NOT IMPLEMENTED, BASED UPON MEASURES OF
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND OUTCOMES AND A METHODOLOGY PRESCRIBED IN THE
REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER, PROVIDED THAT THIS LIST SHALL NOT
INCLUDE SCHOOLS WITHIN A SPECIAL ACT SCHOOL DISTRICT AS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION EIGHT OF SECTION FOUR THOUSAND ONE OF THIS CHAPTER OR
SCHOOLS CHARTERED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER. EXCEPT
AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, AND PURSUANT
TO REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSIONER, A SCHOOL DESIGNATED AS
FAILING UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR RECEIVERSHIP UNDER
THIS SECTION UPON A DETERMINATION BY THE COMMISSIONER.
(B) PERSISTENTLY FAILING SCHOOLS. BASED UPON MEASURES OF STUDENT
ACHIEVEMENT AND OUTCOMES AND A METHODOLOGY PRESCRIBED IN THE REGULATIONS
OF THE COMMISSIONER, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DESIGNATE AS PERSISTENTLY
FAILING EACH OF THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED UNDER THE STATE'S
ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM TO BE AMONG THE LOWEST ACHIEVING PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN
THE STATE FOR TEN CONSECUTIVE SCHOOL YEARS, BASED UPON IDENTIFICATION OF
THE SCHOOL BY THE COMMISSIONER AS: A "PRIORITY SCHOOL" FOR EACH APPLICA-
BLE YEAR FROM THE TWO THOUSAND TWELVE--TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN SCHOOL YEAR
TO THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR, OR IDENTIFIED AS A "PRIORITY SCHOOL" IN EACH
APPLICABLE YEAR OF SUCH PERIOD EXCEPT ONE YEAR IN WHICH THE SCHOOL WAS
NOT IDENTIFIED BECAUSE OF AN APPROVED CLOSURE PLAN THAT WAS NOT IMPLE-
MENTED; AND AS A "SCHOOL REQUIRING ACADEMIC PROGRESS YEAR 5", "SCHOOL
REQUIRING ACADEMIC PROGRESS YEAR 6", "SCHOOL REQUIRING ACADEMIC PROGRESS
YEAR 7" AND/OR A "SCHOOL IN RESTRUCTURING," FOR EACH APPLICABLE YEAR
FROM THE TWO THOUSAND SIX--TWO THOUSAND SEVEN SCHOOL YEAR TO THE TWO
THOUSAND ELEVEN--TWO THOUSAND TWELVE SCHOOL YEAR. THIS DESIGNATION SHALL
NOT INCLUDE SCHOOLS WITHIN A SPECIAL ACT SCHOOL DISTRICT AS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION EIGHT OF SECTION FOUR THOUSAND ONE OF THIS CHAPTER OR
SCHOOLS CHARTERED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER.
(C) SPECIFIC PROVISIONS. (I) FOR SCHOOLS DESIGNATED AS PERSISTENTLY
FAILING PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE LOCAL
DISTRICT SHALL CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE SCHOOL FOR AN ADDITIONAL SCHOOL
YEAR PROVIDED THAT THERE IS A DEPARTMENT-APPROVED INTERVENTION MODEL OR
COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PLAN IN PLACE THAT INCLUDES RIGOROUS PERFORMANCE
METRICS AND GOALS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MEASURES OF STUDENT
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND OUTCOMES INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH IN SUBDIVI-
SION SIX OF THIS SECTION. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW,
RULE OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL BE VESTED
WITH ALL POWERS GRANTED TO A RECEIVER APPOINTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
FOR SUCH TIME PERIOD; PROVIDED, HOWEVER THAT SUCH SUPERINTENDENT SHALL
NOT BE ALLOWED TO OVERRIDE ANY DECISION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WITH
RESPECT TO HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT STATUS. AT THE END OF SUCH YEAR, THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE REVIEW IN CONSULTATION AND COOP-
ERATION WITH THE DISTRICT AND SCHOOL STAFF TO DETERMINE, BASED ON THE
PERFORMANCE METRICS IN THE SCHOOL'S MODEL OR PLAN, WHETHER (1) THE
DESIGNATION OF PERSISTENTLY FAILING SHOULD BE REMOVED; (2) THE SCHOOL
SHOULD REMAIN UNDER CONTINUED SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATION WITH THE SUPER-
INTENDENT VESTED WITH THE POWERS OF A RECEIVER; OR (3) THE SCHOOL SHOULD
BE PLACED INTO RECEIVERSHIP; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT A SCHOOL THAT MAKES
DEMONSTRABLE IMPROVEMENT BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE METRICS AND GOALS
HEREIN SHALL REMAIN UNDER DISTRICT OPERATION FOR AN ADDITIONAL SCHOOL
YEAR AND IF SUCH SCHOOL REMAINS UNDER DISTRICT OPERATION, IT SHALL
CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL REVIEW BY THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTA-
TION AND COOPERATION WITH THE DISTRICT, UNDER THE SAME TERMS AND CONDI-
TIONS.
(II) FOR SCHOOLS DESIGNATED AS FAILING, BUT NOT PERSISTENTLY FAILING,
THE LOCAL DISTRICT SHALL CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE SCHOOL FOR TWO ADDI-
TIONAL SCHOOL YEARS PROVIDED THAT THERE IS A DEPARTMENT-APPROVED INTER-
VENTION MODEL OR COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PLAN IN PLACE THAT INCLUDES
RIGOROUS PERFORMANCE METRICS AND GOALS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
MEASURES OF STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND OUTCOMES INCLUDING THOSE
SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION SIX OF THIS SECTION. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW, RULE OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, THE SUPERINTENDENT
SHALL BE VESTED WITH ALL POWERS GRANTED TO A RECEIVER APPOINTED PURSUANT
TO THIS SECTION; PROVIDED, HOWEVER THAT SUCH SUPERINTENDENT SHALL NOT BE
ALLOWED TO OVERRIDE ANY DECISION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WITH RESPECT
TO HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT STATUS. AT THE END OF SUCH TWO YEARS, THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL CONDUCT A SCHOOL PERFORMANCE REVIEW IN CONSULTATION AND
COOPERATION WITH THE DISTRICT AND SCHOOL STAFF TO DETERMINE, BASED ON
THE PERFORMANCE METRICS IN THE SCHOOL'S MODEL OR PLAN, WHETHER (1) THE
DESIGNATION OF FAILING SHOULD BE REMOVED; (2) THE SCHOOL SHOULD REMAIN
UNDER CONTINUED SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATION WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT VESTED
WITH THE POWERS OF A RECEIVER; OR (3) THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE PLACED INTO
RECEIVERSHIP; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT A SCHOOL THAT MAKES DEMONSTRABLE
IMPROVEMENT BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE METRICS AND GOALS HEREIN SHALL
REMAIN UNDER DISTRICT OPERATION FOR AN ADDITIONAL SCHOOL YEAR AND IF
SUCH SCHOOL REMAINS UNDER DISTRICT OPERATION, IT SHALL CONTINUE TO BE
SUBJECT TO SUCH ANNUAL REVIEW BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE SAME TERMS AND
CONDITIONS. FOR SCHOOLS NEWLY DESIGNATED AS FAILING AFTER THE TWO THOU-
SAND SIXTEEN--TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN SCHOOL YEAR, THE SCHOOL SHALL BE
IMMEDIATELY ELIGIBLE FOR RECEIVERSHIP UPON SUCH DESIGNATION.
(III) NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT (1) A
SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ABILITY TO MODIFY, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE DEPART-
MENT, SUCH DEPARTMENT APPROVED INTERVENTION MODEL OR COMPREHENSIVE
EDUCATION PLAN, OR (2) THE COMMISSIONER'S ABILITY TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL
DISTRICT TO MODIFY SUCH DEPARTMENT APPROVED INTERVENTION MODEL OR
COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PLAN AND REQUIRE HIS OR HER APPROVAL OF SUCH
MODIFICATIONS.
(IV) THE DISTRICT SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF THE
STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL WHICH MAY BE PLACED INTO RECEIVERSHIP PURSUANT TO
THIS SUBDIVISION AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT THE DISTRICT OR THE COMMIS-
SIONER SHALL HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING OR HEARING FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SCHOOL AND THE CONSTRUCT OF RECEIVERSHIP.
1-A. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM. UPON DESIGNATION AS FAILING OR PERSIS-
TENTLY FAILING PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION, THE DISTRICT
SHALL ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM WHICH SHALL INCLUDE COMMUNI-
TY STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL,
PARENTS AND GUARDIANS, TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENTS.
MEMBERSHIP OF SUCH TEAM MAY BE MODIFIED AT ANY TIME. SUCH TEAM SHALL
DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE SCHOOL AND SHALL SOLICIT
INPUT THROUGH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. THE TEAM SHALL PRESENT ITS RECOMMENDA-
TIONS PERIODICALLY TO THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AND, AS APPLICABLE, THE
RECEIVER.
2. APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER. (A) UPON A DETERMINATION BY THE COMMIS-
SIONER THAT A SCHOOL SHALL BE PLACED INTO RECEIVERSHIP, THE APPLICABLE
SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL APPOINT AN INDEPENDENT RECEIVER, SUBJECT TO THE
APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER, TO MANAGE AND OPERATE ALL ASPECTS OF THE
SCHOOL AND TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN FOR THE
SCHOOL THAT SHALL CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS DEVELOPED BY THE COMMUNI-
TY ENGAGEMENT TEAM WHEN CREATING SUCH PLAN. THE INDEPENDENT RECEIVER MAY
BE A NON-PROFIT ENTITY, ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT, OR AN INDIVIDUAL. IF
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FAILS TO APPOINT AN INDEPENDENT RECEIVER THAT MEETS
WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S APPROVAL WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF SUCH DETERMI-
NATION, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL APPOINT THE RECEIVER.
(B) THE RECEIVER SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO MANAGE AND OPERATE THE FAILING
OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING SCHOOL AND SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO SUPERSEDE ANY
DECISION, POLICY OR REGULATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS OR CHIEF
SCHOOL OFFICER, OR OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OR ANOTHER SCHOOL OFFICER
OR THE BUILDING PRINCIPAL THAT IN THE SOLE JUDGMENT OF THE RECEIVER
CONFLICTS WITH THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN; PROVIDED HOWEVER THAT THE
RECEIVER MAY NOT SUPERSEDE DECISIONS THAT ARE NOT DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE
SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BUILDING USAGE
PLANS, CO-LOCATION DECISIONS AND TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS. THE RECEIV-
ER SHALL HAVE AUTHORITY TO REVIEW PROPOSED SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGETS PRIOR
TO PRESENTATION TO THE DISTRICT VOTERS, OR IN THE CASE OF A CITY SCHOOL
DISTRICT IN A CITY HAVING A POPULATION OF ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE THOU-
SAND OR MORE, OF THE ADOPTION OF A CONTINGENCY BUDGET, PRIOR TO APPROVAL
BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND TO MODIFY THE PROPOSED BUDGET TO CONFORM
TO THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN PROVIDED THAT SUCH MODIFICATIONS SHALL
BE LIMITED IN SCOPE AND EFFECT TO THE FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING
SCHOOL AND MAY NOT UNDULY IMPACT OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT. A SCHOOL
UNDER RECEIVERSHIP SHALL OPERATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAWS REGULATING
OTHER PUBLIC SCHOOLS, EXCEPT AS SUCH PROVISIONS MAY CONFLICT WITH THIS
SECTION.
(C) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONTRACT WITH THE RECEIVER, AND THE COMPEN-
SATION AND OTHER COSTS OF THE RECEIVER APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER
SHALL BE PAID FROM A STATE APPROPRIATION FOR SUCH PURPOSE, OR BY THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT, AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER, PROVIDED THAT COSTS
SHALL BE PAID BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ONLY IF THERE IS AN OPEN ADMINIS-
TRATIVE STAFFING LINE AVAILABLE FOR THE RECEIVER, AND THE RECEIVER WILL
BE TAKING ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUCH OPEN LINE. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY
OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE RECEIVER AND ANY OF ITS
EMPLOYEES PROVIDING SERVICES IN THE RECEIVERSHIP SHALL BE ENTITLED TO
DEFENSE AND INDEMNIFICATION BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO THE SAME EXTENT AS
A SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE. THE RECEIVER'S CONTRACT MAY BE TERMINATED BY
THE COMMISSIONER FOR A VIOLATION OF LAW OR THE COMMISSIONER'S REGU-
LATIONS OR FOR NEGLECT OF DUTY. A RECEIVER APPOINTED TO OPERATE A
DISTRICT UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL HAVE FULL MANAGERIAL AND OPERATIONAL
CONTROL OVER SUCH SCHOOL; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
SHALL REMAIN THE EMPLOYER OF RECORD, AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT ANY
EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY BE SUPERSEDED BY THE
RECEIVER. IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE SUPER-
INTENDENT OF SCHOOLS TO FULLY COOPERATE WITH THE RECEIVER AND WILLFUL
FAILURE TO COOPERATE OR INTERFERENCE WITH THE FUNCTIONS OF THE RECEIVER
SHALL CONSTITUTE WILLFUL NEGLECT OF DUTY FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION THREE
HUNDRED SIX OF THIS TITLE. THE RECEIVER OR THE RECEIVER'S DESIGNEE SHALL
BE AN EX OFFICIO NON-VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ENTITLED TO
ATTEND ALL MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
3. BEFORE DEVELOPING THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN, THE RECEIVER SHALL
CONSULT WITH LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS SUCH AS: (A) THE BOARD OF EDUCATION; (B)
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS; (C) THE BUILDING PRINCIPAL; (D) TEACHERS
ASSIGNED TO THE SCHOOL AND THEIR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVE;
(E) SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ASSIGNED TO THE SCHOOL AND THEIR COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVE; (F) PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF STUDENTS ATTEND-
ING THE SCHOOL OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES; (G) REPRESENTATIVES OF APPLICA-
BLE STATE AND LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE, HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES;
(H) AS APPROPRIATE, REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL CAREER EDUCATION PROVIDERS,
STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AND THE LOCAL BUSINESS
COMMUNITY; (I) FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL PREKIN-
DERGARTEN PROGRAMS; (J) STUDENTS ATTENDING THE SCHOOL AS APPROPRIATE;
(K) AS NEEDED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS, JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS, CENTRAL SCHOOLS
OR HIGH SCHOOLS, REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS;
AND (L) THE SCHOOL STAKEHOLDER TEAM SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION ONE-A OF
THIS SECTION.
4. IN CREATING THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN, THE RECEIVER SHALL (I)
CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS DEVELOPED BY THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM
SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION ONE-A OF THIS SECTION; (II) INCLUDE PROVISIONS
INTENDED TO MAXIMIZE THE RAPID ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF STUDENTS AT THE
SCHOOL; AND (III) ENSURE THAT THE PLAN ADDRESSES SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AND
CAPACITY, SCHOOL LEADER PRACTICES AND DECISIONS, CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
AND SUPPORT, TEACHER PRACTICES AND DECISIONS, STUDENT SOCIAL AND
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL HEALTH, AND FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THE
RECEIVER SHALL, TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, BASE THE PLAN ON THE FINDINGS
OF ANY RECENT DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW OR ASSESSMENT OF THE SCHOOL THAT HAS
BEEN CONDUCTED AND, AS APPLIED TO THE SCHOOL, STUDENT OUTCOME DATA
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: (A) STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT GROWTH DATA BASED
ON STATE MEASURES; (B) OTHER MEASURES OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT; (C)
STUDENT PROMOTION AND GRADUATION RATES; (D) ACHIEVEMENT AND GROWTH DATA
FOR THE SUBGROUPS OF STUDENTS USED IN THE STATE'S ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM;
(E) STUDENT ATTENDANCE; AND (F) LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM SUSPENSION
RATES.
5. (A) THE RECEIVER SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN THE SCHOOL INTER-
VENTION PLAN: (I) MEASURES TO ADDRESS SOCIAL SERVICE, HEALTH AND MENTAL
HEALTH NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL AND THEIR FAMILIES IN ORDER TO
HELP STUDENTS ARRIVE AND REMAIN AT SCHOOL READY TO LEARN; PROVIDED THAT
THIS MAY INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SCREENING; (II) MEAS-
URES TO IMPROVE OR EXPAND ACCESS TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES AND, AS
APPROPRIATE, SERVICES IN THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY TO PROMOTE A SAFE AND
SECURE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT; (III) AS APPLICABLE, MEASURES TO PROVIDE
GREATER ACCESS TO CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOP-
MENT SERVICES PROVIDED TO STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL AND THEIR FAMILIES IN
ORDER TO PROVIDE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITH MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT SKILLS
AND OPPORTUNITIES; (IV) MEASURES TO ADDRESS ACHIEVEMENT GAPS FOR ENGLISH
LANGUAGE LEARNERS, STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVAN-
TAGED STUDENTS, AS APPLICABLE; (V) MEASURES TO ADDRESS SCHOOL CLIMATE
AND POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT, INCLUDING MENTORING AND OTHER YOUTH
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS; AND (VI) A BUDGET FOR THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION
PLAN.
(B) AS NECESSARY, THE COMMISSIONER AND THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND OTHER APPLICABLE STATE AND LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE,
HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AND CHILD WELFARE OFFICIALS SHALL COORDINATE
REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEASURES DESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPHS
(I) THROUGH (III) OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION THAT ARE INCLUDED
IN THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN AND SHALL, SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION,
REASONABLY SUPPORT SUCH IMPLEMENTATION CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS
OF STATE AND FEDERAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE RELEVANT PROGRAMS THAT EACH
SUCH OFFICIAL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING, AND GRANT FAILING
SCHOOLS PRIORITY IN COMPETITIVE GRANTS, AS ALLOWABLE BEFORE AND DURING
THE PERIOD OF RECEIVERSHIP.
6. IN ORDER TO ASSESS THE SCHOOL ACROSS MULTIPLE MEASURES OF SCHOOL
PERFORMANCE AND STUDENT SUCCESS, THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN SHALL
INCLUDE MEASURABLE ANNUAL GOALS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
FOLLOWING: (A) STUDENT ATTENDANCE; (B) STUDENT DISCIPLINE INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM SUSPENSION RATES; (C) STUDENT
SAFETY; (D) STUDENT PROMOTION AND GRADUATION AND DROP-OUT RATES; (E)
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND GROWTH ON STATE MEASURES; (F) PROGRESS IN AREAS
OF ACADEMIC UNDERPERFORMANCE; (G) PROGRESS AMONG THE SUBGROUPS OF
STUDENTS USED IN THE STATE'S ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM; (H) REDUCTION OF
ACHIEVEMENT GAPS AMONG SPECIFIC GROUPS OF STUDENTS; (I) DEVELOPMENT OF
COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS, INCLUDING AT THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE
SCHOOL LEVELS; (J) PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT; (K) BUILDING A CULTURE
OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS AMONG STUDENTS; (L) BUILDING A CULTURE OF STUDENT
SUPPORT AND SUCCESS AMONG FACULTY AND STAFF; (M) USING DEVELOPMENTALLY
APPROPRIATE CHILD ASSESSMENTS FROM PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE,
IF APPLICABLE, THAT ARE TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL; AND (N)
MEASURES OF STUDENT LEARNING.
7. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY GENERAL OR SPECIAL LAW TO THE CONTRARY, IN
CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN, THE RECEIVER
SHALL, AFTER CONSULTING WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
TEAM, CONVERT SCHOOLS TO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE EXPANDED HEALTH,
MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER SERVICES TO THE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
IN ADDITION, THE RECEIVER MAY: (I) REVIEW AND IF NECESSARY EXPAND, ALTER
OR REPLACE THE CURRICULUM AND PROGRAM OFFERINGS OF THE SCHOOL, INCLUDING
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESEARCH-BASED EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMS, EARLY
INTERVENTIONS FOR STRUGGLING READERS AND THE TEACHING OF ADVANCED PLACE-
MENT COURSES OR OTHER RIGOROUS NATIONALLY OR INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
COURSES, IF THE SCHOOL DOES NOT ALREADY HAVE SUCH PROGRAMS OR COURSES;
(II) REPLACE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS, INCLUDING SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
WHO ARE NOT APPROPRIATELY CERTIFIED OR LICENSED; (III) INCREASE SALARIES
OF CURRENT OR PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO ATTRACT AND
RETAIN HIGH-PERFORMING TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS; (IV) ESTABLISH STEPS
TO IMPROVE HIRING, INDUCTION, TEACHER EVALUATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP-
MENT, TEACHER ADVANCEMENT, SCHOOL CULTURE AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE;
(V) REALLOCATE THE USES OF THE EXISTING BUDGET OF THE SCHOOL; (VI)
EXPAND THE SCHOOL DAY OR SCHOOL YEAR OR BOTH OF THE SCHOOL; (VII) FOR A
SCHOOL THAT OFFERS THE FIRST GRADE, ADD PRE-KINDERGARTEN AND FULL-DAY
KINDERGARTEN CLASSES, IF THE SCHOOL DOES NOT ALREADY HAVE SUCH CLASSES;
(VIII) IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPHS (B) AND (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, TO
ABOLISH THE POSITIONS OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING AND ADMINISTRATIVE
AND SUPERVISORY STAFF ASSIGNED TO THE FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING
SCHOOL AND TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT OF ANY BUILDING PRINCIPAL ASSIGNED
TO SUCH A SCHOOL, AND REQUIRE SUCH STAFF MEMBERS TO REAPPLY FOR THEIR
POSITIONS IN THE SCHOOL IF THEY SO CHOOSE; (IX) INCLUDE A PROVISION OF A
JOB-EMBEDDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS AT THE SCHOOL, WITH
AN EMPHASIS ON STRATEGIES THAT INVOLVE TEACHER INPUT AND FEEDBACK; (X)
ESTABLISH A PLAN FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR ADMINISTRATORS AT THE
SCHOOL, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON STRATEGIES THAT DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS
AND USE THE PRINCIPLES OF DISTRIBUTIVE LEADERSHIP; AND/OR (XI) ORDER THE
CONVERSION OF A SCHOOL IN RECEIVERSHIP THAT HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS FAIL-
ING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION INTO A CHARTER
SCHOOL, PROVIDED THAT SUCH CONVERSION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ARTICLE
FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT SUCH CHARTER CONVER-
SION SCHOOL SHALL OPERATE PURSUANT TO SUCH ARTICLE AND PROVIDED FURTHER
THAT SUCH CHARTER CONVERSION SCHOOL SHALL OPERATE CONSISTENT WITH A
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS MODEL AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT SUCH CONVERSION CHAR-
TER SCHOOL SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS IN SUBDIVISIONS THREE,
FOUR, FIVE, SIX, NINE, TEN, ELEVEN, TWELVE AND THIRTEEN OF THIS SECTION.
(B) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, RULE OR REGULATION TO
THE CONTRARY, UPON DESIGNATION OF ANY SCHOOL OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AS A
FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING SCHOOL PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, THE
ABOLITION OF POSITIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND
SUPERVISORY STAFF OF THE SCHOOL SHALL THEREAFTER BE GOVERNED BY THE
APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED TEN, TWENTY-FIVE
HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE, TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OR THREE THOUSAND
THIRTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER AS MODIFIED BY THIS PARAGRAPH. A CLASSROOM
TEACHER OR BUILDING PRINCIPAL WHO HAS RECEIVED TWO OR MORE COMPOSITE
RATINGS OF INEFFECTIVE ON AN ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW
SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO HAVE RENDERED FAITHFUL AND COMPETENT SERVICE
WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED TEN, TWENTY-FIVE
HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE, TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OR THREE THOUSAND
THIRTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER. WHEN A POSITION OF A CLASSROOM TEACHER OR
BUILDING PRINCIPAL IS ABOLISHED, THE SERVICES OF THE TEACHER OR ADMINIS-
TRATOR OR SUPERVISOR WITHIN THE TENURE AREA OF THE POSITION WITH THE
LOWEST RATING ON THE MOST RECENT ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW
SHALL BE DISCONTINUED, PROVIDED THAT SENIORITY WITHIN THE TENURE AREA OF
THE POSITION SHALL BE USED SOLELY TO DETERMINE WHICH POSITION SHOULD BE
DISCONTINUED IN THE EVENT OF A TIE.
(C) THE RECEIVER MAY ABOLISH THE POSITIONS OF ALL TEACHERS AND PEDA-
GOGICAL SUPPORT STAFF, ADMINISTRATORS AND PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICE
PROVIDERS ASSIGNED TO A SCHOOL DESIGNATED AS FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY
FAILING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND REQUIRE SUCH STAFF MEMBERS TO REAP-
PLY FOR NEW POSITIONS IF THEY SO CHOOSE. THE RECEIVER SHALL DEFINE NEW
POSITIONS FOR THE SCHOOL ALIGNED WITH THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN,
INCLUDING SELECTION CRITERIA AND EXPECTED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR EACH POSITION. FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICE
PROVIDERS, THE RECEIVER SHALL HAVE FULL DISCRETION OVER ALL SUCH REHIR-
ING DECISIONS. FOR TEACHERS AND PEDAGOGICAL SUPPORT STAFF, THE RECEIVER
SHALL CONVENE A STAFFING COMMITTEE INCLUDING THE RECEIVER, TWO APPOINT-
EES OF THE RECEIVER AND TWO APPOINTEES SELECTED BY THE SCHOOL STAFF OR
THEIR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT. THE STAFFING COMMITTEE WILL DETERMINE
WHETHER FORMER SCHOOL STAFF REAPPLYING FOR POSITIONS ARE QUALIFIED FOR
THE NEW POSITIONS. THE RECEIVER SHALL HAVE FULL DISCRETION REGARDING
HIRING DECISIONS BUT MUST FILL AT LEAST FIFTY PERCENT OF THE NEWLY
DEFINED POSITIONS WITH THE MOST SENIOR FORMER SCHOOL STAFF WHO ARE
DETERMINED BY THE STAFFING COMMITTEE TO BE QUALIFIED. ANY REMAINING
VACANCIES SHALL BE FILLED BY THE RECEIVER IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
STAFFING COMMITTEE. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE
CONTRARY, A MEMBER OF THE TEACHING AND PEDAGOGICAL SUPPORT, ADMINISTRA-
TIVE, OR PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICE STAFF WHO IS NOT REHIRED PURSUANT TO
THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT HAVE ANY RIGHT TO BUMP OR DISPLACE ANY OTHER
PERSON EMPLOYED BY THE DISTRICT, BUT SHALL BE PLACED ON A PREFERRED
ELIGIBILITY LIST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF SECTION
TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED TEN, TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE, TWENTY-FIVE
HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT OR THREE THOUSAND THIRTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER. TEACH-
ERS REHIRED PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL MAINTAIN THEIR PRIOR STATUS
AS TENURED OR PROBATIONARY, AND A PROBATIONARY TEACHER'S PROBATION PERI-
OD SHALL NOT BE CHANGED.
(D) FOR A SCHOOL WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, THE PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING TIME FOR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS IDENTIFIED
IN CLAUSES (VI) AND (VII) OF THE CLOSING PARAGRAPH OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF
THIS SUBDIVISION, SHALL INCLUDE SPECIFIC STRATEGIES AND CONTENT DESIGNED
TO MAXIMIZE THE RAPID ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEAR-
NERS.
8. (A) IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE THE RAPID ACHIEVEMENT OF STUDENTS AT THE
APPLICABLE SCHOOL, THE RECEIVER MAY REQUEST THAT THE COLLECTIVE BARGAIN-
ING UNIT OR UNITS REPRESENTING TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND THE
RECEIVER, ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, NEGOTIATE A RECEIVERSHIP
AGREEMENT THAT MODIFIES THE APPLICABLE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
OR AGREEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO ANY FAILING SCHOOLS IN RECEIVERSHIP APPLI-
CABLE DURING THE PERIOD OF RECEIVERSHIP. THE RECEIVERSHIP AGREEMENT MAY
ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS: THE LENGTH OF THE SCHOOL DAY; THE LENGTH
OF THE SCHOOL YEAR; PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS AND ADMINIS-
TRATORS; CLASS SIZE; AND CHANGES TO THE PROGRAMS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND
TEACHING CONDITIONS IN THE SCHOOL IN RECEIVERSHIP. THE RECEIVERSHIP
AGREEMENT SHALL NOT PROVIDE FOR ANY REDUCTION IN COMPENSATION UNLESS
THERE SHALL ALSO BE A PROPORTIONATE REDUCTION IN HOURS AND SHALL PROVIDE
FOR A PROPORTIONATE INCREASE IN COMPENSATION WHERE THE LENGTH OF THE
SCHOOL DAY OR SCHOOL YEAR IS EXTENDED. THE RECEIVERSHIP AGREEMENT SHALL
NOT ALTER THE REMAINING TERMS OF THE EXISTING/UNDERLYING COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING AGREEMENT WHICH SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT.
(B) THE BARGAINING SHALL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN THE RECEIVER AND THE
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT IN GOOD FAITH AND COMPLETED NOT LATER THAN
THIRTY DAYS FROM THE POINT AT WHICH THE RECEIVER REQUESTED THAT THE
BARGAINING COMMENCE. THE AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO RATIFICATION
WITHIN TEN BUSINESS DAYS BY THE BARGAINING UNIT MEMBERS IN THE SCHOOL.
IF THE PARTIES ARE UNABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OR IF
THE AGREEMENT IS NOT RATIFIED WITHIN TEN BUSINESS DAYS BY THE BARGAINING
UNIT MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL, THE PARTIES SHALL SUBMIT ANY REMAINING UNRE-
SOLVED ISSUES TO THE COMMISSIONER WHO SHALL RESOLVE ANY UNRESOLVED
ISSUES WITHIN FIVE DAYS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD COLLECTIVE BARGAIN-
ING PRINCIPLES.
(C) FOR PURPOSES ONLY FOR SCHOOLS DESIGNATED AS FAILING PURSUANT TO
SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF PARAGRAPH (C) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION,
BARGAINING SHALL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN THE RECEIVER AND THE COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING UNIT IN GOOD FAITH AND COMPLETED NOT LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS
FROM THE POINT AT WHICH THE RECEIVER REQUESTED THAT THE BARGAINING
COMMENCE. THE AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO RATIFICATION WITHIN TEN
BUSINESS DAYS BY THE BARGAINING UNIT MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL. IF THE
PARTIES ARE UNABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OR IF THE
AGREEMENT IS NOT RATIFIED WITHIN TEN BUSINESS DAYS BY THE BARGAINING
UNIT MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL, A CONCILIATOR SHALL BE SELECTED THROUGH THE
AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION, WHO SHALL FORTHWITH FORWARD TO THE
PARTIES A LIST OF THREE CONCILIATORS, EACH OF WHOM SHALL HAVE PROFES-
SIONAL EXPERIENCE IN ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, FROM WHICH THE
PARTIES MAY AGREE UPON A SINGLE CONCILIATOR PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF
THE PARTIES CANNOT SELECT A CONCILIATOR FROM AMONG THE THREE WITHIN
THREE BUSINESS DAYS, THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION SHALL SELECT A
CONCILIATOR FROM THE LIST OF NAMES WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY, AND THE
CONCILIATOR SHALL RESOLVE ALL OUTSTANDING ISSUES WITHIN FIVE DAYS. AFTER
SUCH FIVE DAYS, IF ANY UNRESOLVED ISSUES REMAIN, THE PARTIES SHALL
SUBMIT SUCH ISSUES TO THE COMMISSIONER WHO SHALL RESOLVE SUCH ISSUES
WITHIN FIVE DAYS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
PRINCIPLES.
9. A FINAL SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE COMMIS-
SIONER FOR APPROVAL AND, UPON APPROVAL, SHALL BE ISSUED BY THE RECEIVER
WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE RECEIVER'S APPOINTMENT. A COPY OF SUCH PLAN
SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
SCHOOLS AND THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVES OF TEACHERS AND
ADMINISTRATORS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE PLAN SHALL BE PUBLICLY AVAIL-
ABLE AND SHALL BE POSTED ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE AND THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT'S WEBSITE, AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE TO
PARENTS OF SUCH SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN AND ITS AVAILABILITY.
10. EACH SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN SHALL BE AUTHORIZED FOR A PERIOD OF
NOT MORE THAN THREE YEARS. THE RECEIVER MAY DEVELOP ADDITIONAL COMPO-
NENTS OF THE PLAN AND SHALL DEVELOP ANNUAL GOALS FOR EACH COMPONENT OF
THE PLAN IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THIS SECTION, ALL OF WHICH MUST BE
APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER. THE RECEIVER SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
MEETING THE GOALS OF THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN.
11. THE RECEIVER SHALL PROVIDE A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE BOARD OF EDUCA-
TION, THE COMMISSIONER, AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS TO
PROVIDE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRESS BEING MADE ON THE IMPLE-
MENTATION OF THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN. ONE OF THE QUARTERLY REPORTS
SHALL BE THE ANNUAL EVALUATION OF THE INTERVENTION PLAN UNDER SUBDIVI-
SION TWELVE OF THIS SECTION.
12. (A) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL, IN CONSULTATION AND COOPERATION WITH
THE DISTRICT AND THE SCHOOL STAFF, EVALUATE EACH SCHOOL WITH AN
APPOINTED RECEIVER AT LEAST ANNUALLY. THE PURPOSE OF THE EVALUATION
SHALL BE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SCHOOL HAS MET THE ANNUAL GOALS IN ITS
SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN AND TO ASSESS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN AT
THE SCHOOL. THE EVALUATION SHALL BE IN WRITING AND SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO
THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER
FIRST FOR THE PRECEDING SCHOOL YEAR. THE EVALUATION SHALL BE SUBMITTED
IN A FORMAT DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
(B) IF THE COMMISSIONER DETERMINES THAT THE SCHOOL HAS MET THE ANNUAL
PERFORMANCE GOALS STATED IN THE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN, THE EVALUATION
SHALL BE CONSIDERED SUFFICIENT AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHOOL
INTERVENTION PLAN SHALL CONTINUE. IF THE COMMISSIONER DETERMINES THAT
THE SCHOOL HAS NOT MET ONE OR MORE GOALS IN THE PLAN, THE COMMISSIONER
MAY REQUIRE MODIFICATION OF THE PLAN.
13. UPON THE EXPIRATION OF A SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN FOR A SCHOOL
WITH AN APPOINTED RECEIVER, THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION AND COOP-
ERATION WITH THE DISTRICT, SHALL CONDUCT AN EVALUATION OF THE SCHOOL TO
DETERMINE WHETHER THE SCHOOL HAS IMPROVED SUFFICIENTLY, REQUIRES FURTHER
IMPROVEMENT OR HAS FAILED TO IMPROVE. ON THE BASIS OF SUCH REVIEW, THE
COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION AND COOPERATION WITH THE DISTRICT, MAY:
(A) RENEW THE PLAN WITH THE RECEIVER FOR AN ADDITIONAL PERIOD OF NOT
MORE THAN THREE YEARS; (B) IF THE FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING SCHOOL
REMAINS FAILING AND THE TERMS OF THE PLAN HAVE NOT BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY
MET, TERMINATE THE CONTRACT WITH THE RECEIVER AND APPOINT A NEW RECEIV-
ER; OR (C) DETERMINE THAT THE SCHOOL HAS IMPROVED SUFFICIENTLY FOR THE
DESIGNATION OF FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING TO BE REMOVED.
14. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PROHIBIT THE COMMISSIONER OR A LOCAL
DISTRICT FROM CLOSING A SCHOOL PURSUANT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE
COMMISSIONER.
15. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO ADOPT REGULATIONS TO CARRY
OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
16. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL REPORT ANNUALLY TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE
LEGISLATURE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND FISCAL IMPACT OF THIS SECTION. THE
REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, A LIST OF ALL SCHOOLS
CURRENTLY DESIGNATED AS FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAILING AND THE STRATE-
GIES USED IN EACH OF THE SCHOOLS TO MAXIMIZE THE RAPID ACADEMIC ACHIEVE-
MENT OF STUDENTS.
17. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PROVIDE ANY RELEVANT DATA THAT IS NEEDED TO
IMPLEMENT AND COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF
TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN WHICH ADDED THIS SECTION TO ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT
THAT HAS A SCHOOL OR SCHOOLS DESIGNATED AS FAILING OR PERSISTENTLY FAIL-
ING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION BY AUGUST FIFTEENTH OF EACH YEAR, TO THE
FULLEST EXTENT PRACTICABLE. PROVIDED THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO DISTRICTS AND MAY ESTABLISH A MODEL INTERVENTION
PLAN. AND PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE
TO THE PUBLIC ANY SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLAN, OR OTHER DEPARTMENT-APPROVED
INTERVENTION MODEL OR COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PLAN OF A SCHOOL OR
DISTRICT PROVIDED THAT SUCH MEASURES ARE CONSISTENT WITH ALL FEDERAL AND
STATE PRIVACY LAWS.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
S 3. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi-
sion, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by a court of compe-
tent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair,
or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its opera-
tion to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part
thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment
shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of the
legislature that this act would have been enacted even if such invalid
provisions had not been included herein.
S 4. This act shall take effect immediately provided, however, that
the applicable effective date of Subparts A through H of this act shall
be as specifically set forth in the last section of such Subparts.
S 2. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi-
sion, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,
impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in
its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section
or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg-
ment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of
the legislature that this act would have been enacted even if such
invalid provisions had not been included herein.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately provided, however, that
the applicable effective date of Parts A through EE of this act shall be
as specifically set forth in the last section of such Parts.
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