Gov. Bob McDonnell wants to overhaul the contract process for teachers and principals and whittle the number of high school diplomas from seven to three as part of an extensive legislative package targeting the state's public school system.
He also announced during a news conference in Richmond on Monday that he will seek to promote dual enrollment courses, create an alternative licensure for virtual school teachers, and provide financial incentives to teachers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math.
Many of the proposals were scant on detail, and not all of the legislation has been submitted for consideration in the 2012 General Assembly session, which starts Wednesday.
Among the proposed changes is to shift teachers and principals to an annual contract and evaluation process from a continuing contract, and the governor included $415,000 in his proposed two-year budget for training. He would also amend the grievance process.
Continuing contracts begin after teachers complete three successful years.
"I think it's an affront to our excellent teachers to be treated exactly the same way of those who are underperforming," he said.
Virginia Education Association President Kitty Boitnott said there's already a due process procedure in place for administrators to dismiss teachers who have a continuing contract.
She said she wants to hear details on the proposed grievance procedure.
Under the proposal, teachers would be placed on an annual contract beginning in the 2013-14 school year.
McDonnell is again throwing his support behind a bill to give a tax credit to companies that donate money to nonprofit groups that provide private-school scholarships to students who are eligible for the federal free and reduced-price lunch program.
He will also seek to create an Innovative Options Technical Advisory Committee of national experts to help guide applicants for charter schools, college partnership laboratory schools and virtual school programs. He included $201,624 in his proposed two-year budget for the effort.
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