Senate Bill 9

Chair's Name: Brooks Coleman

Committee: Education

Senate Sponsor: Chip Rogers

House Sponsor: David Casas

SB 9 would enact the �Grade Integrity Act�. The new code section would prohibit local boards of education, superintendent, or administrator from pressuring a teacher to change a student�s grade. Any violation of this would be considered an ethics violation which can be reported to the Professional Standards Commission. This bill would not prevent grades from being discussed, or prevent another administrator from changing grades, so long as the changes are clearly indicated in a student�s records. This also would not apply when the teacher has failed to comply with established grading policies.

This bill received a Do Pass recommendation from the Education Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule. 

Secretary Tommy Benton�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

It keeps teachers from being forced to change a grade by administrators.  If an administrator changes the grade it must be noted on the record who changed it.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

Grades being changed to accommodate certain students.

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Increases Personal Responsibility:

By holding teachers, administrators, and students accountable