The Latest from VEA

Despite VEA objections and numerous written comments opposing House Bill 9, the House PK-12 Subcommittee moved forward in rolling back teacher due process protections.  The bill:

• Gives local school boards the option of increasing the probationary term of service from 3 years to 5 years.
• Eliminates the option of a three-member fact-finding panel.
• Reduces from 10 days to 5 days the written notice of the time and the place of a hearing.
• Adds a definition of “incompetency” to include “consistent failure to meet the endorsement requirements for the position of one or more unsatisfactory performance evaluations.

Rolling back these changes enacted in 2020 could very well exacerbate the problems we are facing with the recruitment and retention of teachers.  Research shows that by “extending the probationary periods of teachers judged to be less effective, these “extended” teachers were substantially more likely than other teachers to leave their schools.” https://cepa.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/Performance%20Screens.pdf. 

Three years is enough time for an employer to see what the teacher is capable of doing and where improvements are needed if the district provides appropriate guidance and direction for their educators when they enter the profession.

Currently, 35 states require three-year probationary periods for teachers.  We believe this is the right amount of time for teachers to serve a probationary period.

Four of the committee members (Carrie Coyner, Avoli, Wampler, and Glen Davis) supported the legislation in 2020 to lessen the probationary period for teachers from 5 years to 3 years flip-flopped on their votes to move HB9 to the floor of the House.

As of Thursday, over 50 public written comments, all opposing HB9 were submitted to the committee.  Read all comments HERE.

Watch the full committee vote HERE.

HB 9 now moves to the House floor for debate.  Teachers must express their disappointment over the committee’s action on HB 9 and urge their lawmakers to OPPOSE HB 9 on the House floor.  Find your Delegate HERE.

Friday’s Schedule:

Senate Committee on Education and Health, Thursday, January 20, 2022, 8 AM Senate Committee Room A / Pocahontas Building, Agenda.