Eliminates use of standardized assessments as measure of student growth or progress in evaluations of teachers, principals, assistant principals, and vice-principals.

S 1550 eliminates standardized test scores as a measure of student growth in evaluating teachers, principals, assistant principals, and vice-principals in New Jersey schools. The bill requires school districts to use evaluation rubrics based on multiple measures of student learning (not standardized tests), professional practice standards, and multiple classroom observations. It mandates four performance rating categories (ineffective to highly effective) and prohibits standardized assessments from being a predominant factor in evaluations. The law also requires districts to implement these revised evaluations starting in the 2013-2014 school year, with results used to guide professional development. This directly affects all K-12 school staff members in New Jersey under the state's teacher evaluation system.