Reitz helps pass landmark education reform

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Seeking to improve educational opportunities for our children and ensure high quality teachers in our schools, state Rep. Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville) voted to approve heightened education standards in a reform bill that passed out of the House on Thursday.

"The education system in Illinois has long been in need of a drastic overhaul," said Reitz. "This bill makes real reforms that will have a direct, positive impact on students and the entire education system. For too long, our schools have put an emphasis on seniority, instead of excellence, and implementing these changes will help maximize student achievement."

Senate Bill 7 institutes bipartisan reforms to the Illinois education system that have been negotiated by teachers unions, reform advocates and legislators. The reforms focus on identifying and retaining talented teachers by giving more weight to teacher performance. Seniority would no longer be the deciding factor in determining layoffs, hiring and certification, and the rules for tenure are changed to account for teacher performance. Additionally, teacher performance evaluations will be implemented with additional standards that highlight the difference between teachers that continue to need improvement and professional development, and teachers that are proficient in their classroom instruction. The goal of the measure is to ensure that the proficient teachers are in classrooms, and that teachers who are not meeting the standards are able to work to address and improve their evaluations.

The legislation also changes collective bargaining and striking requirements for school districts to prevent strikes from becoming a disruption to students' education. For downstate teachers, it would open up the mediation process by publishing the final offers of each side and requiring an intent to strike be published if the mediation process is unsuccessful. Advocates believe that these changes will make the negotiation process more accountable and transparent to help ensure that contract negotiations are fair and balanced.

"Putting quality teachers in the classroom is one of the most important factors in ensuring our children receive an education that will prepare them to succeed," said Reitz. "I've witnessed firsthand the tremendous impact good educators can have on our children, and this bill will increase the number of effective teachers in classrooms."

Reitz represents all or parts of St. Clair, Monroe, Randolph and Perry counties. For more information on Senate Bill 7, please contact his constituent service office at (618) 443-5757.