Two Bellevue-area legislators have introduced a bill to end the practice of seniority when teachers need to be laid off.

A bill by state Sens. Rodney Tom, D- Bellevue, and Steve Litzow, R-Mercer Island, would require school districts to use evaluation ratings in determining which teachers are laid-off when budget cuts or enrollment declines force teacher layoffs.

If the bill becomes law, the strict seniority rule of “last in, first out” currently used in reducing staff when revenue declines would be ended.

A recent study by the University of Washington Center for Education Data & Research said the practice of using seniority is inefficient economically and educationally.

“When we lay-off newer teachers who have proven their effectiveness in the classroom, we are not only denying today’s students access to a quality learning experience, but future students as well,” Tom said. “Many of those teachers never return to the classroom, seeking new professions that reward great performance and going the extra mile.”

“We can all agree that we must work to ensure the best teachers stay in the classroom,” Litzow said. “The loss of teachers for fiscal reasons results in bigger classes and that along impacts student learning.”

Under Senate Bill 5399, teachers laid off first are those who received the lowest evaluation rating when averaging their two most recent evaluations. Additional lay-offs would occur by moving upwards through the two-year average ratings. Ultimately, the teachers with the best evaluation average would be the last to lose their teaching posts.

The minimum standards for teacher evaluation are set by the Legislature in RCW 28A.405.100. The categories include instructional skill; classroom management, professional preparation and scholarship; effort toward improvement when needed; the handling of student discipline and attendance problems; and interest in teaching pupils and knowledge of subject matter.

When teachers have identical average ratings, the preference for contract renewal must be given to the teacher with the most experience.

SB 5399 sets out how two-year averages must be calculated, provides an appeals process for teachers who do not get their contracts renewed and requires teacher and principal agreement on staffing placements.