CS for CS for SB 736 - Student Success Act

• Requires Department of Education approval of each school district's instructional personnel and school administrator evaluation systems, with evaluations based at least 50% on student learning growth measured by statewide assessments or district assessments.

• Establishes four performance rating levels (highly effective, effective, needs improvement/developing, unsatisfactory) for educators and creates new contract types: probationary contracts for newly hired instructional personnel (effective July 1, 2011) and performance-based salary schedules tied to evaluation ratings.

• Mandates Commissioner of Education approve formulas by June 1, 2011 to measure individual student learning growth on FCAT and other statewide assessments; State Board of Education shall adopt these formulas by rule.

• Allows principals to refuse placement or transfer of instructional personnel unless they have effective or highly effective performance ratings; requires workforce reductions be based on performance evaluations rather than seniority.

• Requires school districts to administer assessments for each course offered beginning 2014-2015 school year; allows limited exemptions for districts receiving Race to the Top Phase 2 exemptions if they meet specified performance criteria.