Senate Bill 216, which has an effective date of November 2, 2018, makes a number of significant revisions to (1) the state framework for teacher evaluations and (2) non-teacher tenure.
With respect to teacher evaluations, the act eliminates the requirement that 50% of a teacher’s evaluation consist of student academic growth measures. Instead, Senate Bill 216 replaces student academic growth measures with an evaluation framework containing two measures of “high quality student data,” both of which are to provide evidence of student learning attributable to the teacher.
With respect to non-teaching employee tenure, the act requires regular non-teaching school employees, whom are newly hired by non-civil service school districts, to be employed for seven years prior to receiving a continuing contract – i.e., before receiving tenure.
Under continuing law, the first written contract of a non-teaching employee must be for a period of one year. The act specifies that, if rehired, the next three contacts must be for a period of two years each. If the non-teaching employee is renewed after the termination of the third two-year contract, the employee is continued in employment. Under prior law, a non-teaching employee could achieve continuing contract status following the first two year contract.
The act makes numerous other changes to Ohio education law, which can be reviewed here.
Authors: Matthew John Markling and Patrick Vrobel
Note: This blog entry does not constitute – nor does it contain – legal advice. Legal jurisprudence is like the always changing Midwestern weather. As a result, this single blog entry cannot substitute for consultation with a McGown & Markling attorney. If legal advice is needed with respect to a specific factual situation, please feel free to contact a McGown & Markling attorney.