Text: HF02500 Text: HF02502 Text: HF02500 - HF02599 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. There is appropriated 1 2 from the general fund of the state to the department of 1 3 education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1998, and 1 4 ending June 30, 1999, the following amount, or so much thereof 1 5 as is necessary, to be used for the purpose designated: 1 6 For beginning teacher induction program grants as provided 1 7 in chapter 256E: 1 8 .................................................. $ 180,000 1 9 It is the intent of the general assembly that grants 1 10 awarded using moneys appropriated under this section shall 1 11 provide support to a minimum of 100 teams of mentors and 1 12 beginning teachers. 1 13 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 256.44 NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION 1 14 AWARD – APPROPRIATION. 1 15 1. A teacher, as defined in section 272.1, who registers 1 16 for and achieves a national board for professional teaching 1 17 standards certificate and is employed by a school district in 1 18 Iowa shall be eligible for a registration award and an annual 1 19 award of ten thousand dollars for each year the certificate is 1 20 valid as provided in this section. 1 21 2. To receive a partial registration award in the amount 1 22 of one-half of the registration fee charged by the national 1 23 board for professional teaching standards, the teacher shall 1 24 apply to the department of education within one year of 1 25 registration, submitting to the department any documentation 1 26 the department requires. A teacher shall receive a final 1 27 registration award in the amount of the remaining registration 1 28 fee charged by the national board if the teacher notifies the 1 29 department of the teacher's certification achievement and 1 30 submits any documentation requested by the department. 1 31 3. To receive a five-year annual award for achieving 1 32 certification by the national board of professional teaching 1 33 standards, a teacher shall apply to the department within one 1 34 year of eligibility. Payment for awards shall be made only 1 35 upon departmental approval of an application or 2 1 recertification of eligibility. A nonrenewable term of 2 2 eligibility shall be for five years or for the years the 2 3 certificate is valid, whichever time period is shorter. In 2 4 order to continue receipt of payments, a recipient shall 2 5 annually recertify eligibility. 2 6 4. A national board for professional teaching standards 2 7 certification fund is established in the office of treasurer 2 8 of state to be administered by the department. Moneys 2 9 appropriated by the general assembly for deposit in the fund 2 10 shall be paid as follows: 2 11 a. Upon receipt of award documentation as provided in 2 12 subsection 2. 2 13 b. On January 15 to teachers whose applications and 2 14 recertifications for annual awards as provided in subsection 3 2 15 are approved by the department. The treasurer of state shall 2 16 act as custodian of the fund and may invest the moneys 2 17 deposited in the fund. The income from any investment shall 2 18 be credited to and deposited in the fund. The director of 2 19 revenue and finance shall issue warrants upon the fund 2 20 pursuant to the order of the department and such warrants 2 21 shall be paid from the fund by the treasurer of state. 2 22 Notwithstanding section 8.33, unencumbered or unobligated 2 23 moneys remaining in the fund on June 30 of the fiscal year for 2 24 which the funds were appropriated shall not revert but shall 2 25 be available for subsequent fiscal years for the purposes of 2 26 this section. 2 27 5. An individual shall not qualify for a term of annual 2 28 award eligibility unless the individual applies, certifying 2 29 eligibility, to the department prior to June 30, 2001. 2 30 6. There is appropriated from the general fund of the 2 31 state to the office of treasurer of state for the fiscal year 2 32 beginning July 1, 1998, and ending June 30, 1999, the sum of 2 33 two hundred fifty thousand dollars for deposit in the national 2 34 board for professional teaching standards certification fund 2 35 established and administered pursuant to this section. 3 1 Sec. 3. NEW SECTION. 256E.1 BEGINNING TEACHER INDUCTION 3 2 PROGRAM ESTABLISHED – GRANTS. 3 3 If the general assembly appropriates moneys for purposes of 3 4 teacher induction, the department of education shall 3 5 coordinate a beginning teacher induction program to promote 3 6 excellence in teaching, to build a supportive environment 3 7 within school districts, to increase the retention of 3 8 promising beginning teachers, and to promote the personal and 3 9 professional well-being of teachers. The department of 3 10 education shall develop a process for awarding beginning 3 11 teacher induction grants to school districts, and shall adopt 3 12 rules pursuant to chapter 17A relating to the equitable 3 13 distribution of grants to school districts to reflect 3 14 diversity geographically and by population. 3 15 Sec. 4. NEW SECTION. 256E.2 DEFINITIONS. 3 16 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise 3 17 requires: 3 18 1. "Beginning teacher" means an individual serving under 3 19 an initial provisional or conditional license, issued by the 3 20 board of educational examiners under chapter 272, who is 3 21 assuming a position as a classroom teacher. 3 22 2. "Board of directors" means the board of directors of a 3 23 school district or a collaboration of boards of directors of 3 24 school districts. 3 25 3. "Classroom teacher" means an individual who holds a 3 26 valid practitioner's license and who is employed by a school 3 27 district under sections 279.13 through 279.19 in a school 3 28 district or area education agency in this state to provide 3 29 instruction to students. 3 30 4. "Department" means the department of education. 3 31 5. "Director" means the director of the department of 3 32 education. 3 33 6. "District facilitator" means a licensed professional 3 34 pursuant to chapter 272 who is appointed by the board of 3 35 directors, or a collaboration of districts, to serve as the 4 1 liaison between the board of directors and the department for 4 2 the beginning teacher induction program. 4 3 7. "Mentor" means an individual employed by a school 4 4 district or area education agency as a classroom teacher and 4 5 who holds a valid license to teach issued under chapter 272. 4 6 Sec. 5. NEW SECTION. 256E.3 DISTRICT PLAN. 4 7 1. A board of directors of a school district or the boards 4 8 of directors of a collaboration of school districts 4 9 participating in the beginning teacher induction program shall 4 10 appoint a district facilitator, whose duties shall include, 4 11 but are not limited to, overseeing the development of a plan 4 12 for meeting the goals of the program as set forth in section 4 13 256E.1, and composing a district committee pursuant to 4 14 subsection 2. 4 15 2. The membership of the district committee composed by 4 16 the district facilitator shall include, but is not limited to, 4 17 licensed practitioners and an area education agency staff 4 18 development professional. 4 19 3. The district committee shall adopt a plan and written 4 20 procedures for a mentor program consistent with this chapter. 4 21 The plan and the written procedures shall, at a minimum, 4 22 provide the process for the selection of and the number of 4 23 mentors; the mentor training process; the timetable by which 4 24 the plan shall be implemented; placement of mentors and 4 25 beginning teachers; the minimum amount of contact time between 4 26 mentors and beginning teachers; the minimum amount of release 4 27 time for mentors and beginning teachers for meetings for 4 28 planning, demonstration, observation, feedback, and workshops; 4 29 the process for dissolving mentoring partnerships; and the 4 30 process for measuring the results of the program. The 4 31 district committee shall recommend to the board of directors 4 32 or boards of directors of a collaboration the names of 4 33 classroom teachers eligible to be mentors. 4 34 4. The district facilitator shall submit the plan, and the 4 35 proposed costs of implementing the plan, to the board of 5 1 directors or boards of directors of a collaboration, which 5 2 shall consider the plan and, once approved, submit the plan 5 3 and a reasonable cost proposal to the department of education, 5 4 which shall award grants as equitably as possible based on the 5 5 geographic and population diversity of the school districts 5 6 submitting plans. Grants may be awarded in subsequent years 5 7 based upon the most recent plan on file with the department. 5 8 5. The district committee is encouraged to work with area 5 9 education agencies and postsecondary institutions in the 5 10 preparation and implementation of a plan. 5 11 Sec. 6. NEW SECTION. 256E.4 BEGINNING TEACHER AND MENTOR 5 12 SELECTION AND PLACEMENT. 5 13 1. To be eligible to be a mentor, a licensed practitioner 5 14 shall, at a minimum, be employed by a school district as a 5 15 classroom teacher, have a record of at least four years of 5 16 effective practice, have been employed for one full year in 5 17 the district on a nonprobationary basis, and demonstrate 5 18 professional commitment to the improvement of teaching and 5 19 learning, and the development of beginning teachers. 5 20 2. The district facilitator shall place beginning teachers 5 21 in a manner that provides the greatest opportunity to 5 22 participate with the largest number of mentors. 5 23 Sec. 7. NEW SECTION. 256E.5 BEGINNING TEACHER INDUCTION 5 24 STATE SUBSIDY – FUND. 5 25 1. A teacher who is enrolled as a mentor in an approved 5 26 beginning teacher induction program shall be eligible for an 5 27 award of five hundred dollars per semester of participation in 5 28 the program, which shall be paid from moneys received pursuant 5 29 to this section by the school district employing the mentor. 5 30 2. Moneys received by a school district pursuant to this 5 31 chapter shall be expended to provide mentors with awards in 5 32 accordance with subsection 1, to implement the plan, to pay 5 33 the costs of the employer's share of contributions to federal 5 34 social security and the Iowa public employees' retirement 5 35 system or a pension and annuity retirement system established 6 1 under chapter 294, for such amounts paid by the district. 6 2 3. Moneys received by a school district under this chapter 6 3 are miscellaneous income for purposes of chapter 257 or are 6 4 considered encumbered. Each local school district shall 6 5 maintain a separate listing within their budget for payments 6 6 received and expenditures made pursuant to this section. 6 7 4. Moneys received for purposes of this chapter shall not 6 8 be used for payment of any collective bargaining agreement or 6 9 arbitrator's decision negotiated or awarded under chapter 20. 6 10 5. A beginning teacher induction fund is established in 6 11 the office of the treasurer of state to be administered by the 6 12 department. Moneys appropriated by the general assembly for 6 13 deposit in the fund shall be used to provide funding to school 6 14 districts pursuant to the requirements of this section. 6 15 6. Notwithstanding section 8.33, unencumbered or 6 16 unobligated funds remaining on June 30 of the fiscal year for 6 17 which the funds were appropriated shall not revert but shall 6 18 be available for expenditure in the following fiscal year for 6 19 the purposes of this section. 6 20 Sec. 8. NEW SECTION. 256E.6 REPORTS. 6 21 The board of directors of a school district or the boards 6 22 of directors of a collaboration of school districts 6 23 implementing an approved beginning teacher induction program 6 24 as provided in this chapter shall submit an assessment of the 6 25 program's results by July 1 of the fiscal year succeeding the 6 26 year in which the school district or the collaboration of 6 27 school districts received moneys under this chapter. The 6 28 department shall annually report the statewide results of the 6 29 program to the chairpersons and the ranking members of the 6 30 house and senate education committees by January 1. 6 31 Sec. 9. Section 279.15, Code 1997, is amended to read as 6 32 follows: 6 33 279.15 NOTICE OF TERMINATION – REQUEST FOR HEARING. 6 34 1. The superintendent or the superintendent's designee and 6 35 the board of director's of the school district shall notify 7 1 the teacher not later thanApril 30 that the superintendent7 2will recommend in writing to the board at a regular or special7 3meeting of the board, held not later than May 15,March 15 7 4 that the teacher's continuing contract be terminated effective 7 5 at the end of the current school year. However, if the 7 6 district is subject to reorganization under chapter 275, the 7 7 notification shall not occur until after the first 7 8 organizational meeting of the board of the newly formed 7 9 district. 7 10 2. Notification ofrecommendation oftermination of a 7 11 teacher's contract shall be in writing, signed by the 7 12 superintendent and the presiding officer of the board, and 7 13 shall be personally delivered to the teacher, or mailed by7 14certified mail. The notification shall be complete when 7 15 received by the teacher. The notification and the 7 16 recommendation to terminate shall contain a short and plain 7 17 statement of the reasons, which shall be for just cause, why 7 18 the recommendation is being made.The notification shall be7 19given at or before the time the recommendation is given to the7 20board.7 21 3. As a part of the termination proceedings, the teacher's 7 22 complete personnel file of employment by that board shall be 7 23 available to the teacher, which file shall contain a record of 7 24 all periodic evaluations between the teacher and appropriate 7 25 supervisors. 7 26 4. Within five days of the receipt of the written notice 7 27that the superintendent is recommendingof termination of the 7 28 contract, the teacher may request, in writing to the secretary 7 29 of the board, a private hearing withthe boardan adjudicator 7 30 selected in accordance with section 279.17. The private 7 31 hearing shall not be subject to chapter 21 and shall be held 7 32 no sooner than ten days and no later than twenty days 7 33 followingthe receipt of the requestthe selection of the 7 34 adjudicator, unless the parties otherwise agree. The 7 35 secretary of the board shall notify the teacher in writing of 8 1 the date, time, and location of the private hearing, and at 8 2 leastfiveten days before the hearing shall also furnish to 8 3 the teacher any documentation which may be presentedtoby the 8 4 superintendent and the board at the private hearing and a list 8 5 of persons who may address theboardadjudicator in support of 8 6 the superintendent's recommendation at the private hearing. 8 7 At least three days before the hearing, the teacher shall 8 8 provide any documentation the teacher expects to present at 8 9 the private hearing, along with the names of any persons who 8 10 may address the board on behalf of the teacher. This exchange 8 11 of information shall be at the time specified unless otherwise 8 12 agreed. 8 13 Sec. 10. Section 279.16, Code 1997, is amended to read as 8 14 follows: 8 15 279.16 PRIVATE HEARING – DECISION – RECORD. 8 16 1. The participants at the private hearing shall beat8 17least a majority of theinterested members of the board,their8 18legal representatives,if any, the superintendent, the 8 19 superintendent's designated representatives, if any, the 8 20 teacher's immediate supervisor, the teacher, the teacher's 8 21 representatives, if any, and the witnesses for the parties. 8 22 The evidence at the private hearing shall be limited to the 8 23 specific reasons stated in the superintendent's notice of 8 24 recommendation of termination. No participant in the hearing 8 25 shall be liable for any damages to any person if any statement 8 26 at the hearing is determined to be erroneous as long as the 8 27 statement was made in good faith. The superintendent shall 8 28 present evidence and argument on all issues involved and the 8 29 teacher may cross-examine, respond and present evidence and 8 30 argument in the teacher's behalf relevant to all issues 8 31 involved. Evidence may be by stipulation of the parties and 8 32 informal settlement may be made by stipulation, consent, or 8 33 default or by any other method agreed upon by the parties in 8 34 writing. The board shall employ a certified shorthand 8 35 reporter to keep a record of the private hearing.The9 1proceedings or anyAny partthereofof the proceedings shall 9 2 be transcribed at the request of either party with the expense 9 3 of transcription charged to the requesting party. 9 4 2. Thepresiding officer of the boardadjudicator may 9 5 administer oaths in the same manner and with like effect and 9 6 under the same penalties as in the case of magistrates 9 7 exercising criminal or civil jurisdiction. Theboard9 8 adjudicator shall cause subpoenas to be issued forsuch9 9 witnesses and the production ofsuchany books and papersas9 10eitherthe board or the teacher may designate. The subpoenas 9 11 shall be signed by thepresiding officer of the board9 12 adjudicator. 9 13 3. In case a witness is duly subpoenaed and refuses to 9 14 attend, or in case a witness appears and refuses to testify or 9 15 to produce required books or papers, theboardadjudicator 9 16 shall, in writing, report such refusal to the district court 9 17 of the county in which the administrative office of the school 9 18 district is located, and the court shall proceed with the 9 19 person or witness as though the refusal had occurred in a 9 20 proceeding legally pending before the court. 9 21 Theboardadjudicator shall not be bound by common law or 9 22 statutory rules of evidence or by technical or formal rules of 9 23 procedure, butitthe adjudicator shall hold the hearing in 9 24 such manner as is best suited to ascertain and conserve the 9 25 substantial rights of the parties. Process and procedure 9 26 under sections 279.13 to 279.19 shall be as summary as 9 27 reasonably may be. 9 28 4. At the conclusion of the private hearing, the 9 29 superintendent and the teacher may file written briefs and 9 30 arguments with theboardadjudicator within three days or such 9 31 other time as may be agreed upon. 9 32 5. If the teacher fails to timely request a private 9 33 hearing or does not appear at the private hearing, the board 9 34 may proceed and make a determination upon the superintendent's 9 35 recommendation. If the teacher fails to timely file a request 10 1 for a private hearing, the determination shall be not later 10 2 thanMay 31April 15.If the teacher fails to appear at the10 3private hearing, the determination shall be not later than10 4five days after the scheduled date for the private hearing.10 5 The board shall convene in open session and by roll call vote 10 6 determine the termination or continuance of the teacher's 10 7 contract. 10 8 6.Within five days after the private hearing, the board10 9shall, in executive session, meet to make a final decision10 10upon the recommendation and the evidence as herein provided.10 11 Theboardadjudicator shall also consider any written brief 10 12 and arguments submitted by the superintendent and the teacher. 10 13 7. The record for a private hearing shall include the 10 14 following: 10 151.a. All pleadings, motions and intermediate rulings. 10 162.b. All evidence received or considered and all other 10 17 submissions. 10 183.c. A statement of all matters officially noticed. 10 194.d. All questions and offers of proof, objections and 10 20 rulings thereon. 10 215.e. All findings and exceptions. 10 226.f. Any decision, opinion, or conclusion by the board. 10 237.g. Findings of fact shall be based solely on the 10 24 evidence in the record and on matters officially noticed in 10 25 the record. 10 26 8. The decision of theboardadjudicator shall be in 10 27 writing and shall include findings of fact and conclusions of 10 28 law, separately stated. Findings of fact, if set forth in 10 29 statutory language, shall be accompanied by a concise and 10 30 explicit statement of the underlying facts and supporting the 10 31 findings. Each conclusion of law shall be supported by cited 10 32 authority or by reasoned opinion. 10 33 9.When the board has reached a decision, opinion, or10 34conclusion, it shall convene in open meeting and by roll call10 35vote determine the continuance or discontinuance of the11 1teacher's contract. The record of the private conference and11 2findings of fact and exceptions shall be exempt from the11 3provisions of chapter 22.Thesecretary of the board11 4 adjudicator shall make a decision within thirty days and 11 5 shall, upon reaching a decision, immediately mail notice of 11 6 theboard's actiondecision to the teacher, the 11 7 superintendent, and the secretary of the board. 11 8 10. The record of the private hearing and findings of fact 11 9 and exceptions shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 11 10 22. 11 11 Sec. 11. Section 279.17, Code 1997, is amended to read as 11 12 follows: 11 13 279.17APPEAL BY TEACHER TOSELECTION AND AUTHORITY OF 11 14 ADJUDICATOR. 11 15If the teacher is no longer a probationary teacher, the11 16teacher may, within ten days, appeal the determination of the11 17board to an adjudicator by filing a notice of appeal with the11 18secretary of the board. The notice of appeal shall contain a11 19concise statement of the action which is the subject of the11 20appeal, the particular board action appealed from, the grounds11 21on which relief is sought and the relief sought.11 22 1. Within five days following receipt by the secretary of 11 23the notice of appeala teacher's request for a private hearing 11 24 by an adjudicator as provided in section 279.15, the board or 11 25 the board's legal representative, if any, and the teacher or 11 26 the teacher's representative, if any, may select an 11 27 adjudicator who resides within the boundaries of the merged 11 28 area in which the school district is located. If an 11 29 adjudicator cannot be mutually agreed upon within the five-day 11 30 period, the secretary shall notify the chairperson of the 11 31 public employment relations board by transmitting thenotice11 32of appealrequest for a private hearing, and the chairperson 11 33 of the public employment relations board shall within five 11 34 days provide a list of five adjudicators to the parties. 11 35 Within three days from receipt of the list of adjudicators, 12 1 the parties shall select an adjudicator by alternately 12 2 removing a name from the list until only one name remains. 12 3 The person whose name remains shall be the adjudicator. The 12 4 parties shall determine by lot which party shall remove the 12 5 first name from the list submitted by the chairperson of the 12 6 public employment relations board. The secretary of the board 12 7 shall inform the chairperson of the public employee relations 12 8 board of the name of the adjudicator selected. 12 9If the teacher does not timely request an appeal to an12 10adjudicator the decision, opinion, or conclusion of the board12 11shall become final and binding.12 12Within thirty days after filing the notice of appeal, or12 13within further time allowed by the adjudicator, the board12 14shall transmit to the adjudicator the original or a certified12 15copy of the entire record of the private hearing which may be12 16the subject of the petition. By stipulation of the parties to12 17review the proceedings, the record of the case may be12 18shortened. The adjudicator may require or permit subsequent12 19corrections or additions to the shortened record.12 20The record certified and filed by the board shall be the12 21record upon which the appeal shall be heard and no additional12 22evidence shall be heard by the adjudicator. In such appeal to12 23the adjudicator, especially when considering the credibility12 24of witnesses, the adjudicator shall give weight to the fact12 25findings of the board; but shall not be bound by them.12 26Before the date set for hearing a petition for review of12 27board action, which shall be within ten days after receipt of12 28the record unless otherwise agreed or unless the adjudicator12 29orders additional evidence be taken before the board,12 30application may be made to the adjudicator for leave to12 31present evidence in addition to that found in the record of12 32the case. If it is shown to the adjudicator that the12 33additional evidence is material and that there were good12 34reasons for failure to present it in the private hearing12 35before the board, the adjudicator may order that the13 1additional evidence be taken before the board upon conditions13 2determined by the adjudicator. The board may modify its13 3findings and decision in the case by reason of the additional13 4evidence and shall file that evidence and any modifications,13 5new findings, or decisions, with the adjudicator and mail13 6copies of the new findings or decisions to the teacher.13 7 2. The adjudicator may affirmboard action or remand to13 8the board for further proceedings. The adjudicator shall13 9reverse, modify,the superintendent's recommendation to 13 10 terminate the teacher's contract orgrant any appropriate13 11relief from the board actionrequire the board to continue the 13 12 teacher's contract ifsubstantial rights of the teacher have13 13been prejudiced because the board action isthe adjudicator 13 14 determines that termination of the contract would be any of 13 15 the following: 13 161.a.InA violation of a board rule or policy or 13 17 contract; or. 13 182.b. Unsupported by a preponderance of the competent 13 19 evidence in the record made before theboardadjudicator when 13 20 that record is viewed as a whole; or. 13 213.c. Unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious or 13 22 characterized by an abuse of discretion or a clearly 13 23 unwarranted exercise of discretion. 13 24The adjudicator shall, within fifteen days after the13 25hearing, make a decision and shall give a copy of the decision13 26to the teacher and the secretary of the board. The decision13 27of the adjudicator shall become the final and binding decision13 28of the board unless either party within ten days notifies the13 29secretary of the board that the decision is rejected. The13 30board may reject the decision by majority vote, by roll call,13 31in open meeting and entered into the minutes of the meeting.13 32The board shall immediately notify the teacher of its decision13 33by certified mail. The teacher may reject the adjudicator's13 34decision by notifying the board's secretary in writing within13 35ten days of the filing of such decision.14 1 3. All costs of the adjudicator shall be shared equally by 14 2 the teacher and the board. 14 3 Sec. 12. Section 279.18, subsection 6, Code 1997, is 14 4 amended to read as follows: 14 5 6. Unsupported bya preponderance of the competent14 6 substantial evidence in the record made beforethe board and14 7 the adjudicator when that record is viewed as a whole; or 14 8 Sec. 13. Section 279.19, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 14 9 1997, is amended to read as follows: 14 10 The firsttwothree consecutive years of employment of a 14 11 teacher in the same school district are a probationary period. 14 12 However, a board of directors may waive the probationary 14 13 period for any teacher who previously has served a 14 14 probationary period in another school district and the board 14 15 may extend the probationary period for an additional year with 14 16 the consent of the teacher. A licensed teacher who has 14 17 successfully completed a probationary period of employment for 14 18 a school district located in Iowa is exempt from this section. 14 19 Sec. 14. INITIAL YEAR. 14 20 1. The board of directors of a school district, or the 14 21 boards of directors of a collaboration, determined to 14 22 participate in the beginning teacher induction program in 14 23 fiscal year 1998-1999, shall submit the plan required under 14 24 section 256E.3, as enacted in this Act, to the department of 14 25 education by October 15, 1998. 14 26 2. By January 15, 1999, the department of education shall 14 27 award grants as provided in accordance with section 256E.3, as 14 28 enacted in this Act. 14 29 Sec. 15. CURRENT NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATE HOLDERS. In 14 30 order to receive payment under section 256.44, as enacted by 14 31 this Act, a teacher who by July 1, 1998, meets the 14 32 qualifications for an award under section 256.44 shall apply 14 33 to the department for payment under section 256.44 by June 30, 14 34 1999. 14 35 EXPLANATION 15 1 This bill appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 1998-1999 15 2 for purposes of awarding teachers who apply for and achieve a 15 3 national board for professional teaching standards 15 4 certificate, appropriates $180,000 for the creation of a 15 5 beginning teacher induction program, removes the option for a 15 6 private hearing with the board currently available to a 15 7 teacher facing contract termination by a school district, and 15 8 extends the probationary period for teachers employed by 15 9 school districts from two to three years, unless the teacher 15 10 has successfully completed a previous probationary period for 15 11 a school district in Iowa. 15 12 The bill provides for a registration award for teachers who 15 13 pay a registration fee when applying for a national board for 15 14 professional teaching standards certificate. The teacher 15 15 receives an award for the first half of the fee upon 15 16 registration and submission of documentation to the department 15 17 of education, and receives the remainder of that award upon 15 18 receiving certification and providing documentation to the 15 19 department. 15 20 A teacher who achieves or holds a certificate is also 15 21 eligible for an annual payment of $10,000 for up to five years 15 22 if the teacher is employed by a school district in Iowa. The 15 23 bill also establishes a national board for professional 15 24 teaching standards certification fund to be administered by 15 25 the department of education and appropriates $250,000 for the 15 26 1998-1999 fiscal year to the fund. 15 27 The bill creates a beginning teacher induction program to 15 28 promote excellence in teaching, to build a supportive 15 29 environment in school districts, to increase the retention of 15 30 promising beginning teachers, and promote the personal and 15 31 professional well-being of teachers. The bill appropriates 15 32 $180,000 for the first year of the program, fiscal year 1998- 15 33 1999. 15 34 The bill directs the department of education to develop a 15 35 process to be used in awarding beginning teacher grants. 16 1 A teacher serving as a mentor under the program is eligible 16 2 for an award of $500 per semester of participation. Moneys 16 3 received by a district shall be expended for awards to 16 4 mentors, for the costs of the employer's share of 16 5 contributions to federal social security and the Iowa public 16 6 employees' retirement system or a pension and annuity 16 7 retirement system established under chapter 294, for such 16 8 amounts paid by the districts. 16 9 The bill establishes a beginning teacher induction fund in 16 10 the office of the treasurer of state to be administered by the 16 11 department of education. 16 12 A school district shall appoint a district facilitator who 16 13 acts as a liaison between the board and the department of 16 14 education. The facilitator is also responsible for appointing 16 15 a district committee, the membership of which includes 16 16 licensed teachers and an area education agency staff 16 17 development professional. The district committee must adopt a 16 18 plan and written procedures for a mentor program which shall, 16 19 at a minimum, address the application, mentor selection, and 16 20 mentor training processes; the timetable for plan 16 21 implementation; placement; minimum release time; measurement 16 22 of results; and dissolving mentoring partnerships. 16 23 District committees are encouraged to collaborate with area 16 24 education agencies and postsecondary institutions in the 16 25 preparation of plans. The board of directors shall submit the 16 26 plan and a reasonable cost proposal to the department, which 16 27 shall award grants to school districts, selecting from the 16 28 school districts submitting plans based solely upon 16 29 equitability and geographic and population diversity. 16 30 To be eligible to be a mentor, a licensed teacher must be 16 31 employed by a school district as a classroom teacher for at 16 32 least one full year on a nonprobationary basis, have a record 16 33 of at least four years of effective practice, and demonstrate 16 34 professional commitment to the improvement of teaching and 16 35 learning, and the development of beginning teachers. 17 1 This bill also removes from the teacher termination process 17 2 currently within the Code the option for a private hearing 17 3 with the board currently available to a teacher facing 17 4 contract termination by a school district. 17 5 The bill requires the superintendent of a school district 17 6 and the school board to notify a teacher by March 15 that the 17 7 teacher's continuing contract will be terminated effective at 17 8 the end of the current school year, and permits the teacher to 17 9 request a private hearing with an adjudicator. The Code 17 10 currently provides for the selection of an adjudicator, and 17 11 the bill does not change the selection process. Neither does 17 12 the bill affect the teacher's ability to appeal the 17 13 adjudicator's decision to the district court. However, the 17 14 bill changes the standard of evidence for which the court 17 15 shall reverse, modify, or grant any other appropriate relief 17 16 from the adjudicator's decision, from a "preponderance of 17 17 competent evidence" to "substantial evidence." 17 18 LSB 4204HV 77 17 19 kh/jl/8
Text: HF02500 Text: HF02502 Text: HF02500 - HF02599 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
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