Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 1.

Under present law, LEAs that receive pre-kindergarten program approval under the Voluntary Pre-K for Tennessee Act of 2005 must use the pre-K/kindergarten growth portfolio model approved by the state board of education in the evaluation of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teachers. However, for the 2017-2018 school year, employment termination and compensation decisions for pre-kindergarten or kindergarten teachers was not based solely on data generated by the portfolio model. <br /> <br /> This bill adds that instead of the pre-K/kindergarten growth portfolio model, such LEAs must use an alternative academic growth indicator approved by the state board and adopted by the LEA in the evaluation of pre-K and kindergarten teachers.<br /> <br /> ON APRIL 30, 2019, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #3 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 442, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #3 authorizes an LEA to use a "comparable alternative measure of student growth," instead of an "alternative academic growth indicator," as provided in this bill.<br /> <br /> This amendment adds that, for the 2018-2019 school year, employment termination and compensation decisions for pre-kindergarten or kindergarten teachers will not be based solely on data generated by the portfolio model.<br /> <br /> ON MAY 1, 2019, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 442 FOR HOUSE BILL 91, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 442, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 creates the portfolio review committee composed of the following 10 members:<br /> <br /> (1) The chair of the education committee of the house;<br /> (2) The chair of the education committee of the senate;<br /> (3) One member of the house, to be appointed by the speaker of the house;<br /> (4) One member of the senate, to be appointed by the speaker of the senate;<br /> (5) One representative from the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents; <br /> (6) One representative from the Tennessee school boards association; <br /> (7) The commissioner of education, or the commissioner's designee; and <br /> (8) One pre-kindergarten or kindergarten teacher from each grand division of the state, to be appointed as follows:<br /> (A) The speaker of the house will appoint one pre-kindergarten or kindergarten teacher from the western grand division;<br /> (B) The governor will appoint one pre-kindergarten or kindergarten teacher from the middle grand division; and<br /> (C) The speaker of the senate will appoint one teacher from the eastern grand division.<br /> <br /> The committee will, among other things: identify expectations for the pre-k/kindergarten growth portfolio model and areas of improvement for the growth portfolio model; and study and consider alternative options for measuring student growth in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. The department of education will identify additional opportunities for educators and stakeholders throughout this state to provide feedback on the growth portfolio model on an ongoing basis.<br /> <br /> The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the education committees of the senate and house no later than August 1, 2019, at which time the committee will cease to exist.<br /> <br />