Bill Focused on Evaluation of School Principals Signed Into Law

A bill that allows public school districts to craft more ways to evaluate the principals within their boundaries was signed into law Monday, according to a release from the office of State Sen. Carol Liu, the La Cañada Flintridge Democrat who constructed the bill.

SB 1292 lets districts institute evaluation plans that outline expectations of principals, encourage regular evaluation periods, and states that reviews should also factor in goals defined by the local school district.

“As a former teacher and administrator, I know that school principal have a tough job,” wrote Liu in the release to the media. “This bill lets local school districts decide on clear and consistent standards so principals can do their jobs effectively and create a high-quality learning environment.”

School districts have a choice whether or not to participate with the bill, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2013. It was sponsored by the Association of California School Administrators, received bipartisan support and passed the Senate unanimously in August.  

Principal evaluations must provide feedback to guide professional growth and help to improve principal performance while raising student achievement according to Liu in the release, adding that "evaluations should reflect the complex responsibilities of a principal, address professional development needs or, as necessary, intervene when there are persistent performance issues."