THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY WILLIAMS, JUNE 8, 2010

REFERRED TO EDUCATION, JUNE 8, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Strongly urging all public schools in this Commonwealth to use a

merit-based system for teacher layoffs.

WHEREAS, A seniority-based system for determining teacher

layoffs results in more teachers being laid off than would be

under a merit-based system because shorter-tenured teachers are

paid less than their longer-tenured counterparts which results

in materially larger class sizes; and

WHEREAS, Recently hired teachers are some of our best and

brightest teachers, and seniority in and of itself is not a

determining factor in teacher quality; therefore be it 

RESOLVED, That the Senate strongly urge public schools in

this Commonwealth to conduct public school teacher layoffs on a

merit basis and that individual principals at any affected

schools should have sole discretion to determine which teachers

shall be subject to the layoff; and be it further

RESOLVED, That, when making those determinations, principals

consider all factors they deem relevant in determining merit,

including student achievement on standardized tests, the

improvement in student achievement, the quality and innovation

of the teacher's lesson plans, the teacher's willingness to work

extra time with students, the level of discipline the teacher

maintains in the classroom and input from the parents of the

teacher's students.