Illinois Bill Links Teacher Tenure to Test Scores

State legislators in Illinois are considering a bill that would link tenure for teachers to the test scores of their students and make it easier to fire “ineffective” teachers. Teachers in public schools would earn tenure only if they are rated “proficient” or “excellent” by their principals, based on student achievement, for four years, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Teachers currently earn tenure almost automatically after they are on the job for a few years.

Also under the plan, tenured teachers rated “ineffective” for two years would revert back to probationary status, and teacher performance rather than seniority would be the key consideration when schools need to lay off teachers.

Colorado passed a similar bill last year.