Update: Performance Counts Bill (SB7) Passes

by Mark Cavers Update: Today is a big day for children in schools across state. Senate Bill 7, which represents a significant step forward in the effort to give all our children an excellent education just passed the House!  By a margin of 112-1-1 the Illinois House of Representatives sent a strong message that they...

by Mark Cavers

Update:
Today is a big day for children in schools across state. Senate Bill 7, which represents a significant step forward in the effort to give all our children an excellent education just passed the House!  By a margin of 112-1-1 the Illinois House of Representatives sent a strong message that they are ready to do what is best for our kids.

As our Senior Director of Government Affairs, Collin Hitt, laid out in an opinion piece in the State Journal-Register last December, this is a great first step towards a better educational system that really delivers for kids. Under the bill, school districts throughout the state will be given the flexibility to hire the best teaching force for their children by giving schools more control over personnel decisions. The bill would allow schools to take performance into account when making hiring and firing decisions. It would end the antiquated practice of “first in, last out” where the newest employees are always fired first, regardless of performance, when layoffs occur. Additionally, it would make it easier for Chicago Public Schools to increase the length of the school day and year, both of which are among the shortest in the nation.

For a full understanding of what the bill does make sure you read Collin’s piece.