S681 - Agency Policy Directives/2019-2020. (SL 2020-78)

Overview: Sec. 2.6 of S.L. 2020-78 codifies the Advanced Teaching Roles Program (Program). Local boards of education will be required to submit their proposals by October 15, 2020, and annually thereafter, to participate in the Program. This section does not limit the number of local school administrative units (LEAs) that can participate in the Program, but it prioritizes funding for up to 15 LEAs that fit in certain size categories. Additionally, LEAs participating in the existing pilot program in the 2020-2021 school year are guaranteed approval, provided that their application is not inconsistent with the codified program's requirements.

This section includes several changes from the pilot in the requirements for participation in the Program, such as:

• Requiring information on how the LEA would utilize and train classroom teachers in advanced teaching roles.
• Requiring the minimum qualifications for advanced teaching roles positions to meet two of the identified criteria rather than one.
• Requiring teachers who qualify for advanced teaching roles based on student growth to have an average Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS) student growth index score of 1.5 or greater (and no score below zero) over the previous three years.
• Requiring a description of how the LEA could partner with local educator preparation programs, institutions of higher education, or community colleges to improve teacher effectiveness.

Initially selected LEAs will implement their plans beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. The State Board of Education (SBE) will review participating LEAs every five years to ensure compliance with the approved plan. After review, the SBE can renew or terminate the plan.

Schools that are included in an LEA's approved application will receive class size flexibility, and LEAs that participate in the Program will receive budget flexibility for the purpose of providing salary supplements.

Funds awarded for this Program are subject to availability and can be awarded for a term of up to three years. LEAs are only eligible to receive funding for one term. Unlike the pilot program, awarded funds cannot be used for salary supplements.

The SBE must contract with an independent research organization to provide an evaluation during the first two years of the Program. Beginning October 15, 2023, and annually thereafter, the SBE will perform the evaluation and provide the annual reports.

The codified language of this section became effective July 1, 2020. The current Pilot will be repealed June 30, 2021.