Bill Text: OR HB2993 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to qualifications of school personnel.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)
Status: (Failed) 2013-07-08 - In committee upon adjournment. [HB2993 Detail]
Download: Oregon-2013-HB2993-Introduced.html
77th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2013 Regular Session NOTE: Matter within { + braces and plus signs + } in an amended section is new. Matter within { - braces and minus signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within { + braces and plus signs + } . LC 2452 House Bill 2993 Sponsored by Representative PARRISH; Representatives ESQUIVEL, MCLANE, Senator KNOPP SUMMARY The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's brief statement of the essential features of the measure as introduced. Allows person without administrative license to be superintendent, or assistant superintendent, of public school, public charter school or virtual public charter school. Requires superintendent or assistant superintendent who does not have administrative license to complete, within one year of being hired, program conducted by professional organization of school administrators. A BILL FOR AN ACT Relating to qualifications of school personnel; amending ORS 329.007, 329.788, 332.505, 332.544, 332.554, 338.120, 338.135, 342.121 and 342.202. Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon: SECTION 1. ORS 342.121, as amended by section 27, chapter 705, Oregon Laws 2011, is amended to read: 342.121. (1) The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall issue licenses to teachers and administrators who possess the minimum competencies, knowledge and skills to teach and administer in the public schools of { - the - } { + this + } state. { + An administrative license is not required to be employed as a superintendent of schools or as an assistant superintendent in this state. + } (2)(a) In addition to a teaching or administrative license, a person may obtain professional certification, indicating a higher degree of competency, knowledge and skill based on work experience and advanced study, from a professional organization of teachers or administrators on the national level. A professional teaching certificate or administrative certificate is not required to teach or administer in a public school of this state. (b) In addition to holding an administrative license as a superintendent, a person who is a superintendent of an education service district shall obtain certification, indicating a higher degree of competency, knowledge and skill based on work experience and advanced study, from the commission. The certificate shall be designed to ensure that the superintendent has knowledge of theories related to change, strategic planning and financial planning and is capable of formulating interorganizational cooperation and developing partnerships. The certificate described in this paragraph is required for a person to be a superintendent of an education service district of this state. SECTION 2. ORS 332.505 is amended to read: 332.505. (1) A district school board may: (a) Employ a superintendent of schools and necessary assistant superintendents for the district { + , + } { - and - } fix the terms and conditions of employment and the compensation { - . - } { + , and establish the qualifications for employment. For purposes of this paragraph: (A) + } The district school board { - shall - } { + may + } not contract with a superintendent for more than a period of three years at a time. The contract shall automatically expire at the end of its term { - . However - } , { + but + } the district school board may elect to issue a subsequent contract for an additional three years at any time. { + (B) As a condition of employment, the district school board shall require each superintendent or assistant superintendent who does not hold an administrative license to complete a program conducted by a professional organization of school administrators. The program must be completed within one year of the hiring of the superintendent or assistant superintendent as a superintendent or assistant superintendent. + } (b) Employ personnel, including teachers and administrators, necessary to carry out the duties and powers of the board and fix the duties, terms and conditions of employment and the compensation. (c) Compensate district employees in any form which may include, but shall not be limited to, insurance, tuition reimbursement and salaries. (d) Employ educational assistants and intern teachers subject to the rules of the State Board of Education. (2) The district school board shall maintain written personnel policies at least one copy of which shall be placed in the library and one copy in the business office of every school in the district. Copies shall be available for inspection by any school employee or member of the public. (3) The superintendent of the school district shall cause each employee to be specifically informed of the existence and availability of the personnel policies. SECTION 3. ORS 329.007 is amended to read: 329.007. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise: (1) 'Academic content standards' means expectations of student knowledge and skills adopted by the State Board of Education under ORS 329.045. (2) 'Administrator' includes all persons whose duties require an administrative license { + or who are employed as a superintendent or as an assistant superintendent + }. (3) 'Board' or 'state board' means the State Board of Education. (4) 'Community learning center' means a school-based or school-linked program providing informal meeting places and coordination for community activities, adult education, child care, information and referral and other services as described in ORS 329.157. 'Community learning center' includes, but is not limited to, a community school program as defined in ORS 336.505, family resource centers as described in ORS 417.725, full service schools, lighted schools and 21st century community learning centers. (5) 'Department' means the Department of Education. (6) 'English' includes, but is not limited to, reading and writing. (7) 'History, geography, economics and civics' includes, but is not limited to, Oregon Studies. (8) 'Oregon Studies' means history, geography, economics and civics specific to the State of Oregon. Oregon Studies instruction in Oregon government shall include municipal, county, tribal and state government, as well as the electoral and legislative processes. (9) 'Parents' means parents or guardians of students who are covered by this chapter. (10) 'Public charter school' has the meaning given that term in ORS 338.005. (11) 'School district' means a school district as defined in ORS 332.002, a state-operated school or any legally constituted combination of such entities. (12) 'Second languages' means any foreign language or American Sign Language. (13) { + (a) + } 'Teacher' means any licensed employee of a school district who has direct responsibility for instruction, coordination of educational programs or supervision of students and who is compensated for such services from public funds. { + (b) + } 'Teacher' does not include { + : (A) + } A school nurse, as defined in ORS 342.455 { - , or - } { + ; (B) + } A person whose duties require an administrative license { - . - } { + ; or (C) A person employed as a superintendent or as an assistant superintendent. + } (14) 'The arts' includes, but is not limited to, literary arts, performing arts and visual arts. (15) '21st Century Schools Council' means a council established pursuant to ORS 329.704. SECTION 4. ORS 329.788 is amended to read: 329.788. As used in ORS 329.788 to 329.820: (1) 'Beginning administrator' means a principal or superintendent who: (a) Possesses an administrative license issued by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission { + or otherwise meets the qualifications established under ORS 332.505 (1)(a) + }; (b) Is employed as a principal or superintendent by a school district; and (c) Has been assigned for fewer than two school years in the administrator's present position. (2) 'Beginning teacher' means a teacher who: (a) Possesses a teaching license issued by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission; (b) Is employed at least half-time, primarily as a classroom teacher, by a school district; and (c) Has taught fewer than two school years as a licensed probationary teacher in any public, private or state-operated school. (3) 'Mentor' means an individual who: (a) Is an acting or retired teacher, principal or superintendent; (b) Has met established best practice and researched-based criteria as defined by the State Board of Education by rule; (c) Possesses a teaching or administrative license issued by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission { + or otherwise meets the qualifications established under ORS 332.505 (1)(a) + }; (d) Has successfully served for five or more years as a { + superintendent or as a + } licensed teacher { - , - } { + or + } principal { - or superintendent - } in any public school; and (e) Has been selected and trained as described in ORS 329.815. (4) 'Mentorship program' means a program provided by a mentor to a beginning teacher or administrator that includes, but is not limited to, direct classroom observation and consultation, assistance in instructional planning and preparation, support in implementation and delivery of classroom instruction, development of school leadership skills and other assistance intended to assist the beginning teacher or administrator to become a confident and competent professional educator who makes a positive impact on student learning. SECTION 5. ORS 332.544 is amended to read: 332.544. (1) As used in this section, 'classified school employee' includes all employees of a public school district except { + : (a) + } Those for whom a teaching or administrative license is required as a basis for employment in a public school district { - . - } { + ; and (b) Those who meet the qualifications established under ORS 332.505 (1)(a) and who are employed as a superintendent or as an assistant superintendent. + } (2) A classified school employee who has been demoted or dismissed shall be entitled to a hearing before the school board if a written request is filed with the board within 15 days of the dismissal or demotion. (3) School district employees subject to the civil service provisions of ORS chapter 242 are exempt from the provisions of this section. SECTION 6. ORS 332.554 is amended to read: 332.554. (1) Each school district shall give an individual, written notice of reasonable assurance of continued employment to all classified school employees who are to perform services in the same or a similar capacity during a subsequent academic year or term or in the period immediately following a recess period. Such notice shall be given by May 30 of each year for employees employed as of that date and as of the date of hire for employees employed subsequent to May 30. (2) No liability shall accrue from failure to give the notice required by subsection (1) of this section or from the timing or contents thereof on the part of the school district. However, the State Board of Education shall enforce the provisions of subsection (1) of this section. (3) As used in this section, 'classified school employee ' includes all employees of a public school district except { + : (a) + } Those for whom a teaching or administrative license is required as a basis for employment in a public school district { - . - } { + ; and (b) Those who meet the qualifications established under ORS 332.505 (1)(a) and who are employed as a superintendent or as an assistant superintendent. + } SECTION 7. ORS 338.120 is amended to read: 338.120. (1) In addition to any other requirements of this chapter for a public charter school, a virtual public charter school must have: (a) A plan for academic achievement that addresses how the school will improve student learning and meet academic content standards required by ORS 329.045. (b) Performance criteria the school will use to measure the progress of the school in meeting the academic performance goals set by the school for its first five years of operation. (c) A plan for implementing the proposed education program of the school by directly and significantly involving parents and guardians of students enrolled in the school and involving the professional employees of the school. (d) A budget, business plan and governance plan for the operation of the school. (e) In the charter of the school, a requirement that the school: (A) Monitor and track student progress and attendance; and (B) Provide student assessments in a manner that ensures that an individual student is being assessed and that the assessment is valid. (f) { - Notwithstanding ORS 338.135 (7), - } A plan to ensure that: (A) All { - superintendents, assistant superintendents and - } principals of the school are licensed to administer by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission; and (B) { + Notwithstanding ORS 338.135 (7)(b), + } teachers who are licensed to teach by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission and who are highly qualified as described in the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-110, 115 Stat. 1425) teach at least 95 percent of the school's instructional hours. (g) A plan for maintaining student records and school records, including financial records, at a designated central office of operations that is located: (A) If the sponsor is a school district, within the school district that is the sponsor and as specified in the charter of the school; or (B) If the sponsor is the State Board of Education, at a central office located in Oregon and as specified in the charter of the school. (h) A plan to provide equitable access to the education program of the school by ensuring that each student enrolled in the school: (A) Has access to and use of computer and printer equipment as needed; (B) Is offered an Internet service cost reimbursement arrangement under which the school reimburses the parent or guardian of the student, at a rate set by the school, for the costs of obtaining Internet service at the minimum connection speed required to effectively access the education program provided by the school; or (C) Has access to and use of computer and printer equipment and is offered Internet service cost reimbursement. (i) A plan to provide access to computer and printer equipment and the Internet service cost reimbursement as described in paragraph (h) of this subsection by students enrolled in the school who are from families that qualify as low-income under Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.). (j) A plan to conduct school-sponsored optional educational events at least six times each school year at locations selected to provide convenient access to all students enrolled in the school who want to participate. (k) A plan to conduct meetings at least twice a week between teachers and students enrolled in the school, either in person or through the use of conference calls or other technology. (L) A plan to provide opportunities for face-to-face meetings between teachers and students enrolled in the school at least six times each school year. (m) A plan to provide, at the time of a student's enrollment, written notice to the sponsor and, if different, to the school district where the student is a resident. Notification must be provided within 10 days after enrollment and must include: (A) The name, age and address of the student; and (B) The name of the school in which the student was formerly enrolled. (n) A plan to provide, at the time of a student's withdrawal for a reason other than graduation from high school, written notice to the sponsor and, if different, to the school district where the student is a resident. Notification must be provided within 10 days after withdrawal and must include: (A) The name, age and address of the student; (B) The reason the student no longer is enrolled and, if applicable, the name of the school in which the student will enroll, if known to the virtual public charter school; and (C) The last day on which the student was enrolled at the virtual public charter school. (o) An agreement to provide a student's education records to the student's resident school district or to the sponsor, upon request of the resident school district or sponsor. (2) For a virtual public charter school: (a) A person who is a member of the school district board for the sponsor of the virtual public charter school may not be: (A) An employee of the virtual public charter school; (B) A member of the governing body of the virtual public charter school; or (C) An employee or other representative of any third-party entity with which the virtual public charter school has entered into a contract to provide educational services. (b) A person who is a member of the governing body of the virtual public charter school may not be an employee of a third-party entity with which the virtual public charter school has entered, or intends to enter, into a contract to provide educational services. (3) If a virtual public charter school enters into a contract with a third-party entity to provide educational services for the virtual public charter school: (a) No employee or member of the governing board of the third-party entity may attend an executive session of the school district board of the school district that is the sponsor of the virtual public charter school; (b) An employee of the virtual public charter school may not promote the sale or benefits of private supplemental services or classes offered by the third-party entity; (c) The educational services provided by the third-party entity must be consistent with state standards and requirements, and must be changed on the same timelines that changes are imposed on the nonvirtual public charter schools of this state; and (d) The virtual public charter school must have on file the third-party entity's budget for the provision of educational services and that budget must itemize: (A) The salaries of supervisory and management personnel and consultants who are providing educational or related services for a public charter school in this state; and (B) The annual operating expenses and profit margin of the third-party entity for providing educational services to a public charter school in this state. (4)(a) The sponsor or a member of the public may request access to any of the documents described in subsections (1) and (3)(d) of this section that are public records, as provided by ORS 192.410 to 192.505. (b) Upon request by a sponsor or a member of the public, a virtual public charter school must provide reasonable access to the documents described in subsections (1) and (3)(d) of this section that are public records, as provided by ORS 192.410 to 192.505. The documents may be provided electronically. SECTION 8. ORS 338.135 is amended to read: 338.135. (1) Employee assignment to a public charter school shall be voluntary. (2)(a) A public charter school or the sponsor of the public charter school is considered the employer of any employees of the public charter school. If a school district board is not the sponsor of the public charter school, the school district board may not be the employer of the employees of the public charter school and the school district board may not collectively bargain with the employees of the public charter school. The public charter school governing body shall control the selection of employees at the public charter school. (b) If a virtual public charter school or the sponsor of a virtual public charter school contracts with a for-profit entity to provide educational services through the virtual public charter school, the for-profit entity may not be the employer of any employees of the virtual public charter school. (3) The school district board of the school district within which the public charter school is located shall grant a leave of absence to any employee who chooses to work in the public charter school. The length and terms of the leave of absence shall be set by negotiated agreement or by board policy. However, the length of the leave of absence may not be less than two years unless: (a) The charter of the public charter school is terminated or the public charter school is dissolved or closed during the leave of absence; or (b) The employee and the school district board have mutually agreed to a different length of time. (4) An employee of a public charter school operating within a school district who is granted a leave of absence from the school district and returns to employment with the school district shall retain seniority and benefits as an employee pursuant to the terms of the leave of absence. Notwithstanding ORS 243.650 to 243.782, a school district that was the employer of an employee of a public charter school not operating within the school district may make provisions for the return of the employee to employment with the school district. (5) For purposes of ORS chapters 238 and 238A, a public charter school shall be considered a public employer and as such shall participate in the Public Employees Retirement System. (6) For teacher licensing, employment experience in public charter schools shall be considered equivalent to experience in public schools. (7)(a) { - Any - } { + A + } person employed as an administrator in a public charter school { - shall - } { + is not required to + } be licensed or registered to administer by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. (b) { - Any - } { + A + } person employed as a teacher in a public charter school { - shall - } { + must + } be licensed or registered to teach by the commission. (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection, at least one-half of the total full-time equivalent (FTE) teaching and administrative staff at the public charter school shall be licensed by the commission pursuant to ORS 342.135, 342.136, 342.138 or 342.140. (8) Notwithstanding ORS 243.650, a public charter school shall be considered a school district for purposes of ORS 243.650 to 243.782. An employee of a public charter school may be a member of a labor organization or organize with other employees to bargain collectively. Bargaining units at the public charter school may be separate from other bargaining units of the sponsor or of the school district in which the public charter school is located. Employees of a public charter school may be part of the bargaining units of the sponsor or of the school district in which the public charter school is located. (9) An entity described in ORS 338.005 (5) may not waive the right to sponsor a public charter school in a collective bargaining agreement. SECTION 9. ORS 342.202 is amended to read: 342.202. (1) The Department of Education, in partnership with the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, shall create a comprehensive leadership development system for administrators { + who are + } licensed under ORS 342.125 { + or who meet the qualifications established under ORS 332.505 (1)(a) + }. (2) The comprehensive leadership development system must include: (a) A cost-effective plan that requires the coordination of public and private organizations and resources to: (A) Improve the success of this state's highest needs students; (B) Provide research and technical assistance to schools seeking to adopt or enhance evidence-based leadership practices; (C) Recruit underrepresented persons into the field of public school leadership; and (D) Strengthen the capacity of administrators to improve education in public schools in this state; (b) A plan for collaboration and continuous improvement among administrator preparation programs approved by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to support performance-based assessments for administrators and candidates for administrative licensure; (c) A plan for recruitment of underrepresented persons into administrator leadership programs; (d) The improvement of access to high quality preparation and professional development for administrators working in rural school districts; (e) A method for disseminating evidence-based practices to support the development of effective principals and teachers; and (f) A method for providing research and technical assistance to school districts to encourage the placement of the most highly effective teachers in the highest need schools. ----------