FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 73

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES LAMPE (Sponsor), PACE, NORR AND ATKINS (Co-sponsors).

0488L.01I                                                                                                                                                  D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 162, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to teaching standards.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Chapter 162, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 162.1198, to read as follows:

            162.1198. 1. The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop standards for teaching in Missouri public schools no later than June 30, 2010. The standards shall be applicable to all public schools, including public charter schools.

            2. Teaching standards shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

            (1) Students actively participate and are successful in the learning process;

            (2) Various forms of assessment are used to monitor and manage student learning;

            (3) The teacher is prepared and is knowledgeable of the content and effectively maintains students' on-task behavior;

            (4) The teacher uses professional communication and interaction with the school community;

            (5) The teacher keeps current on instructional knowledge and seeks and explores changes in teaching behaviors that will improve student performance; and

            (6) The teacher acts as a responsible professional in the overall mission of the school.

            3. The department shall establish key criteria by which teaching may be evaluated under the teaching standards. The teaching standards and criteria shall serve as the basis for establishment of district performance-based teaching evaluations under section 168.128, RSMo, and teacher professional development plans.

            4. The evaluation system shall:

            (1) Supply information and feedback regarding effective practice;

            (2) Offer a pathway for individual professional growth;

            (3) Allow a mechanism to nurture professional growth toward common goals; and

            (4) Support a learning community in which people are encouraged to improve and share insights in the profession.

            5. The teaching standards and evaluation system shall be based upon the following principles:

            (1) The responsibility for staff evaluation and professional growth resides at the school district level;

            (2) The teaching evaluation model addresses teaching evaluation and professional development;

            (3) Sufficient orientation is provided to acquaint teachers with the district's evaluation and professional growth process and the specific criteria to be documented;

            (4) Adequate time is provided for teachers to grow professionally in order to become involved in activities such as mentoring programs, peer coaching, and working on professional teams;

            (5) The system allows for teacher reflection, teacher collaboration, and staff contribution to the learning community;

            (6) A strong mentoring program with sufficient funding and proper training is essential for providing the necessary support and feedback for first-year and second-year teachers;

            (7) Reliable evaluators are essential to the evaluation process;

            (8) The use of multiple trained evaluators may be appropriate and beneficial in some districts;

            (9) A post-observation conference is conducted within a reasonable period of time following a classroom observation;

            (10) The system provides for a professional connection between the criteria, student performance, and building goals and district school improvement plans;

            (11) All teachers have a professional development plan or a professional improvement plan;

            (12) Professional improvement plans are developed to assist teachers not meeting district expectations;

            (13) Professional development plans are informed by applicable teacher certification requirements;

            (14) The local professional development committee serves as a resource to provide teachers with quality professional development opportunities related to their professional development plans; and

            (15) The administrator or supervisor is responsible for the management of the teaching evaluation and professional development phases of the evaluation.

            6. In developing such teaching standards and evaluation models, the department shall involve representatives from the state teacher organizations, administration and principal organizations, Missouri advisory council for the certification of educators as created by section 168.015, RSMo, Missouri staff development council, and colleges and universities.

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