S257 - Appropriations Act of 2017. (SL 2017-57)

Overview: S.L. 2017-57, Sec. 8.8E creates a bonus program for fourth through eighth grade math teachers in which there are two ways teachers can earn bonuses. In order for teachers to be qualified and eligible for the first bonus ($2,150), the teacher must (i) be in the top 25% of fourth through eighth grade math teachers in the State according to the Educator Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS) student growth data for the previous year; and (ii) remain teaching in the same local school administrative unit (LEA) up until the time the bonus is awarded.

• Additionally, teachers who are in the top 25% of teachers in the LEA according to EVAAS earn an additional $2,150 bonus if the teacher remains in the LEA. Teachers in charter schools, regional schools, or laboratory schools are not eligible for this second bonus. Teachers in LEAs that employ three or fewer teachers in the relevant grade do not need to be in the top 25%, but rather receive the bonus if they exceeded expected growth.
• Teachers may receive both bonuses, but may not receive more than two bonuses pursuant to this section. These bonuses are not compensation under the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System.
• The State Board of Education must study the effect of the bonuses on teacher performance and retention, and present its findings to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, and the Fiscal Research Division by March 15, 2018.

This section became effective July 1, 2017.