Bill could help local teachers move up more quickly

Staff writer

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A bill pre-filed by Sen. Mark Moores, R-Albuquerque, could have local teachers moving up more quickly through New Mexico’s three-tier teacher licensure system.

The bill would allow teachers with ratings of “highly effective” and “exemplary” for two consecutive years to move up to the next level in the licensure system.

Senate Bill 91 would allow teachers rated “highly effective” and “exemplary” to move up a full year earlier than they were previously able.

Portales Municipal Schools Superintendent Johnnie Cain said he likes the idea behind the bill, but isn’t sure the teacher evaluation system is ready to be used in conjunction with SB 91.

“This law needs some fine tuning,” Cain said. “Until we know we have faith in the evaluation system, I’d hate to see the bill mess with someone’s career.”

Cain said the current evaluation system is being worked on with the Public Education Department to make it more fair and accurate.

“We shouldn’t be penalizing or rewarding teachers until the system is correct,” Cain said.

Portales High School biology teacher Rebekah Mitchell said the bill could bring more efficiency to the three-tier system.

Mitchell said the shorter wait would help teachers to move up a level more quickly and begin making more money.

“Whatever evaluation system is in place, teachers sincerely trying to make a difference are going to move up anyway,” Mitchell said.

Under the current system, level 1 teachers must wait three years to apply to move to level 2.

SB 91 would reduce the wait to two years. Level 2 teachers would then be able to move up to level 3 within three years.

With the Moore’s bill, teachers could move all the way up to level 3 in five years.

Minimum pay for level 1 teachers starts at $32,000, level 2 is $40,000, and level 3 is $50,000.

The new bill would also require teachers to renew their licenses every five years instead of every nine years.