MO HB1248

Certificated staff hired on or after July 1, 2015, are at-will employees unless a contract meeting section requirements is entered into, while staff hired before July 1, 2015, retain existing tenure protections.

School districts must develop and implement a standards-based performance evaluation system approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, with a percentage based on quantifiable student performance data.

Performance evaluations must be used for retention, promotion, demotion, dismissal, compensation decisions, contract modifications, and leave of absence placement due to enrollment decline, reorganization, or financial conditions.

Teachers receiving "effective" or "highly effective" evaluations must be offered a contract unless valid causes apply (immoral conduct, incompetency, insubordination, conviction of felony, etc.) or reduction in force occurs; those rated below effective become at-will employees.

Teachers receiving five consecutive "effective" or "highly effective" evaluations are awarded a three-year contract; a below effective rating during the three-year contract resets the requirement to earn another five consecutive effective ratings.