SB 357

Under current law, the results of statewide standardized examinations

administered to pupils may not be used to evaluate teacher performance; to

discharge, suspend, or formally discipline a teacher; or as the reason for the

nonrenewal of a teacher's contract. This bill eliminates these prohibitions.

The bill also directs the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to award grants

to school districts for improving or maintaining a high level of pupil academic

achievement.

Under the bill, a school board applies for a grant on behalf of one or more schools

in the school district. A school board is eligible for a grant only if one of the following

applies in each school year for which it requests a grant:

1. The school board administers an examination in mathematics, science, social

studies, and language arts at the beginning and at the end of the school year to pupils

enrolled in the school, and average scores increase by at least 4 percent.

2. The school achieves or maintains a ranking among all public schools in the

state of at least the 80th percentile on the statewide standardized examinations.

In addition, in order to receive a grant at least two of the following must occur

in the school:

1. The attendance rate increases at least 2 percent.

2. The dropout rate decreases at least 2 percent.

3. The achievement gap between minority pupils and nonminority pupils (as

measured by scores on the statewide standardized exams) decreases by at least 3

percent.

4. The graduation rate increases at least 4 percent.

5. The number of pupils taking advanced placement exams increases at least

2 percent.

6. The number of pupils taking the ACT test increases at least 2 percent.

If a school meets the specified conditions, DPI must award to the school district,

for payment to its employees, $750 for each member of the school's instructional staff

and $375 for each member of the school's noninstructional staff. The school board

must match the amounts.

To fund the grants, the bill directs DPI to reallocate moneys appropriated to

DPI for other purposes.