1. How would the TEACH NJ act change the process for new teachers to earn tenure?
If enacted, TEACH would:
• Pair new teachers with an experienced teacher for a “mentorship year” prior to a three-year tenure review, extending the tenure process to four years.
• Require an “effective” or “highly effective” rating for at least two of the three years after the mentorship year to earn tenure.
2. How would teachers be rated?
TEACH would require evaluation rubrics to be developed by the district and approved by the Commissioner of Education to rate teachers either “highly effective,” “effective,” “partially effective,” or “ineffective” each year. At the local level, leaders and members can work with the district in shaping these evaluation rubrics.
3. What if a teacher gets a poor evaluation?
When a teacher is rated “ineffective” or “partially effective,” a corrective action plan must be developed to support the teacher and address documented deficiencies. The teacher would collaborate with an experienced teacher acting in a supervisory capacity to develop the plan.