The Senate Budget Committee voted unanimously to advance a bill sponsored by Senator Teresa Ruiz that links teacher tenure to student performance.

 Ruiz says the measure will create positive change for the teaching profession.

 “There are opportunities for checkpoints throughout the career path of an individual that identifies where if in fact there are any deficiencies, creates an unique corrective action plan for that person, and then provides supports through a professional development plan so the person has an opportunity to get better.”      

The New Jersey Education Association President Barbara Keshishian voiced support for the bill that calls for tenure charges to be filed when a teacher gets two unsatisfactory evaluations.

“This bill ensures that before any tenured teacher is fired he or she has the right to a hearing before a highly qualified and neutral third party arbitrator.”                   

The legislation does not include a provision that would have eliminated seniority rights when school districts have to lay off teachers.