FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act  to require school districts to adopt teacher evaluation policies.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
     Section  1.  That chapter 13-43 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

     Each school board shall adopt official standards, criteria, and procedures for the evaluation of the professional performance of members of the teaching profession employed by the school district. A copy of the school board's official evaluation policy shall be forwarded to the Department of Education and Cultural Affairs. The school board's policy shall address the following:

             (1)    The purpose of the evaluations;

             (2)    The frequency of the evaluations;

             (3)    The procedure to be used in making the evaluations;

             (4)    The job-specific criteria for classroom teachers, school librarians, and school counselors;

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             (5)    The use of the results of the evaluations;

             (6)    The frequency of classroom visitations; and

             (7)    The written evaluations, which shall be provided to the employee.

     If a school board fails to adopt and file an official evaluation policy that is consistent with this Act, the evaluation policy promulgated by the professional practices and standards commission is the school board's policy.