MN HF1935

Prohibits school administrators from placing students in kindergarten through grade 4 in consecutive school years with a teacher who received the lowest evaluation rating in the previous school year, unless no other teacher at the school teaches that grade.

Prohibits school administrators from placing students in grades 5 through 12 in consecutive school years with a teacher who received the lowest evaluation rating in the previous school year, unless no other teacher at the school teaches that subject area and grade.

Requires teacher evaluation processes to include a three-year professional review cycle, peer review, summative evaluations by qualified administrators, and professional teaching standards based on valid assessments and student growth data (35 percent of evaluation results).

Mandates that teachers not meeting professional standards receive support through a teacher improvement process with established goals and timelines, with possible discipline including warnings, termination, or transfers for inadequate progress.

Requires the commissioner to consult with education stakeholders and recommend funding and implementation mechanisms to the legislature by January 15, 2015; effective for the 2016-2017 school year and later.