Bill Summary: A07525

• Establishes an optional alternative system for annual professional performance reviews (Section 3012-e) allowing school districts and boards of cooperative educational services to implement collectively bargained evaluation plans for teachers and building principals beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.

• Removes requirements that teachers and principals receive specific performance ratings ("effective" or "highly effective") to qualify for tenure, eliminating the mandate for minimum ratings in the probationary period.

• Repeals Section 3020-b of the Education Law, which provided streamlined removal procedures for teachers rated as ineffective, and eliminates related provisions establishing prima facie evidence of incompetence based on consecutive ineffective ratings.

• Modifies certification requirements so that failure to maintain certification constitutes cause for removal but is no longer tied to performance evaluation ratings for tenure eligibility.

• Allows school districts flexibility to use either the new optional evaluation system under Section 3012-e or the existing system under Section 3012-d, provided plans are collectively bargained where employee organizations exist.