129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 92 LR 374(02)
An Act To Amend Teacher Evaluation Requirements
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Effective September 1, 2021, this bill repeals the requirements that measurements of student learning and growth be significant factors in performance evaluations and professional growth systems for teachers and principals and that certain state assessment growth data be used as at least one measure of performance for teachers and principals.  The required use of state assessment growth data as a performance measure was part of statutory changes made in Public Law 2015, chapter 3 to address compliance concerns with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 that could have resulted in the loss of certain federal funds had those concerns not been addressed.  With the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which reauthorized the ESEA, the federal requirements for educator evaluation and support systems went away.  Given that change, passage of this bill will not put receipt of federal funds at risk. 
 This legislation requires the Department of Education to amend it rules to implement these changes.  Additional costs to the department associated with the rulemaking process can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.