Revisions to teacher and administrator evaluation, probationary period, and grievance procedure

Makes several changes to the processes by which teachers and certain administrators are evaluated. The bill requires teachers, assistant principals, and principals to be evaluated every year, either formally or informally, and such evaluations to include student academic progress as a significant component and an overall summative rating. The bill allows local school boards to increase from three years to five years the term of probationary service required before a teacher becomes eligible for a continuing contract. The bill also changes the grievance procedure for teachers by giving local school boards the option to assign a grievance hearing to be heard by an impartial hearing officer designated by the local school board and by removing the option for a grievance to be heard in front of a fact-finding panel.

8 vac 20 - 440 : Regulations Governing the Employment of Professional Personnel