Oct. 19, 2017
HARRISBURG — Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) today urged the state Senate and Gov. Tom Wolf to advance the 2017-18 Public School Code, which includes his legislation to help keep Pennsylvania’s best teachers in the classroom.
Known as the Protecting Excellent Teachers Act, Bloom’s legislation, originally introduced as
House Bill 1495, would end the practice of seniority-based layoffs and instead require teacher performance ratings to guide furlough and reinstatement decisions.
“Current law requires the elimination of entire education programs when schools face economic challenges, along with many excellent teachers,” Bloom said. “This bill would end the misguided mandate that forces our local school boards to make those decisions, ensuring the best teachers can be kept in the classroom and valuable programs can be saved.”
Teacher performance ratings are already assigned under a comprehensive statewide educator evaluation system, which is based on a balanced matrix of classroom observation and student academic growth. Observed educators earn a rating of distinguished, proficient, needs improvement or failing.
Bloom urged the Senate and the governor to approve the state’s Public School Code and join the House in elevating teacher success over teacher seniority. The Protecting Excellent Teachers Act was approved by the House and Senate last year, but vetoed by Wolf.
“A negative vote from the Senate or another veto by the governor would preserve the bad laws that often force our best educators out of the classroom,” Bloom said. “I am hopeful they will decide to side with our students, and ensure our finest educators remain in the classroom.”
Pennsylvania is one of only six remaining states that require seniority to be the sole factor in determining layoffs.
Representative Stephen Bloom
199th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abbey Haslam
717.260.6222
ahaslam@pahousegop.com
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