Senate Bill 246 Summary

• Public school districts and charter schools may designate certified classroom teachers as "master," "exemplary," or "recognized" for five-year periods based on minimum thresholds of students meeting or exceeding academic growth targets (55% for recognized, 60% for exemplary, 70% for master).

• State Board of Education shall establish performance and validity standards for teacher designation systems that provide mathematical possibility for all eligible teachers to earn designations and include quantitative metrics weighted to incentivize student academic growth in English language arts, mathematics, and writing.

• Employing school districts and charter schools receive Distinguished Educator Allotments ranging from $3,000 to $32,000 per designated teacher (depending on designation level), with amounts increased based on student academic growth point values calculated from statewide assessments in reading and mathematics.

• Districts must annually certify that at least 90% of allotment funds are used for increased teacher compensation and remaining funds support implementation costs; compensation portion is excluded from continuing contracts, retirement calculations, and FICA taxes to the extent permitted by federal law.

• Appropriates $50,000,000 from General Revenue Fund for fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, creates Distinguished Educator Allotments Revolving Fund, and makes act effective July 1, 2025, with emergency declaration.