SB 27 - This act modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education. SCHOOL REPORT CARDS: The State Board of Education must develop a simplified annual school report card for each school attendance center. Each school, including each charter school, will be given a letter grade of A, B, C, D or F based on percentages identified in the act that corresponds to the percentage of points earned on the school's annual performance report. Alternative schools will not receive a report card unless they specifically request one. Grades will not be assigned to schools if the number of students tested is smaller than the minimum sample size necessary based on professional practices for statistical reliability. The report card must also identify each school's performance as having improved, remained the same, or declined based on the prior year in terms of the letter grade and value. This section is identical to SB 28 (2015). (Section 161.237) TEACHER TENURE AND REDUCTION IN FORCE: This act limits teacher tenure to teachers first hired by a district before August 28, 2015. Teachers hired on or after August 28, 2015 will not receive tenure. (Sections 168.104, 168.125 & 168.221) This act repeals the criteria that a school board uses when placing teachers on leave of absence because of a decrease in student enrollment, district reorganization, or financial condition. These provisions are identical to SB 29 (2015). (Section 168.221 and repeal of section 168.124) ABOLITION OF COURSES OR SUBJECTS IN THE ST. LOUIS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT: This act repeals a provision governing the St. Louis City School District that requires when particular subjects or courses of instruction are eliminated, the teachers of those subjects or courses not be placed on leave of absence if they are qualified to teach other subjects or courses and a position is available. This provision is identical to a provision contained in SB 29 (2015). (Section 168.221) TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR EVALUATIONS: Current law requires each school board to cause a comprehensive, performance-based evaluation for each teacher and administrator. This act specifies that the evaluation be done annually for each teacher and administrator. For teachers, the evaluation system developed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must be used, or a district evaluation that utilizes the standards and indicators in the Department's system. In addition, this act requires the school board of the St. Louis City School District to perform such an evaluation for St. Louis teachers. (Sections 168.128, 168.221 & 168.410) SALARY SCHEDULES: Each school district must develop and adopt a performance salary schedule for all instructional personnel by July 1, 2016. The performance salary schedule must review and may provide annual salary adjustments based upon performance determined by the annual evaluation system used by the district. Teachers must be evaluated using multiple, fair, rigorous, transparent, and valid measures. A district may use the model evaluation form developed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or a district evaluation form that utilizes the standards and indicators in the Department's system. Multiple measures of student achievement must count for a minimum of thirty percent of the overall evaluation. The performance salary schedule must not use advanced degrees as a basis for setting a salary schedule unless the advanced degree is in the area of certification or expertise. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may provide technical assistance to school boards. The Department must develop a resource bank that includes resources that are appropriate to districts of different sizes, demographics, and locations. A district may develop additional salary schedules differentiated on assignment to a Title I school, teaching in a subject area for which there is a teacher shortage, or to reflect the supply and demand of the teacher labor market. (Section 168.225) This act is substantially similar to SB 521 (2014) and is similar to SB 408 (2013). MICHAEL RUFF