CS/HB 7189 Summary

• Creates a Performance Fund for Instructional Personnel and School-Based Administrators equivalent to 5% of total education funding, distributed to districts and charter schools for salary increases and performance-based compensation starting in 2011-2012 school year.

• Requires charter schools and school districts to adopt salary schedules compensating teachers and administrators based on performance (not length of service or degrees), with salary adjustments tied to student learning gains measured by state and district assessments.

• Establishes new contract types for classroom teachers hired after July 1, 2010: probationary contracts for initial employment, followed by up to four annual contracts renewable based on performance ratings, with "just cause" grounds for dismissal including poor performance.

• Requires school districts to develop end-of-course assessments aligned to state standards for subjects not covered by state tests, with security and integrity standards enforced through Commissioner review and funding penalties for non-compliance.

• Revises teacher preparation program approval criteria to emphasize student learning gains over employer satisfaction, requires new teachers in reading/science/mathematics to be subject-certified, and repeals Merit Award Program and several teacher scholarship/loan forgiveness programs.