This bill amends various sections of the Idaho Code to enhance the career ladder for instructional and pupil service staff in public schools. It introduces new provisions for staff placement and movement on the career ladder based on experience and performance criteria. For example, first-year instructional and pupil service staff will start at the first cell of the residency compensation rung and can advance one cell for each subsequent year of employment, up to three years. The bill also specifies criteria for career technical education staff, detailing how their industry experience influences their placement. Additionally, it establishes new financial incentives for staff with professional or advanced professional endorsements and mandates annual reviews of administrator evaluations to ensure compliance with state teaching evaluation frameworks.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 33-1201A to set eligibility criteria for professional and advanced professional endorsements, requiring a specified number of years holding a certificate, performance criteria, and a written recommendation from the school district. It allows pupil service and career technical education staff to use industry experience to meet endorsement requirements and provides for additional evidence of effective teaching in exceptional cases. The evaluation process for those with professional endorsements is clarified, requiring annual evaluations in at least two domains of the state framework, while other staff must be evaluated across all domains. The state board of education will create rules to implement these changes, and the bill includes definitions for key terms and an emergency clause making it effective on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 33-1004B, 33-1201A