Professional Service Contracts are issued to all teachers who successfully complete three years of probationary service with M-DCPS, hold a regular teaching certificate, and who are recommended by the Superintendent and appointed by the School Board. The Professional Service Contract is renewed each year unless the employee has been notified in writing of performance deficiencies which may result in termination of employment. Continuing Contracts were issued prior to July 1, 1984. Professional growth is a process for enhancing the skills essential to effective teaching and learning. Evaluation is a decision made by comparing observation data to an established standard.
Evaluation is a statutory responsibility of the principal.
Failure to correct the cited below standards indicators may lead to termination of contract in accordance with statutory requisites. All other teachers are provided with professional growth activities based on the observation for evaluation. All such contracts. . . Just cause includes, but is not limited to, misconduct in office, incompetency, gross insubordination, willful neglect of duty, or conviction of a crime including moral turpitude. Disciplinary action based on unacceptable teaching performance may not be taken against an employee in the absence of an official performance evaluation conducted in accordance with procedures, guidelines, stipulations, and requirements as are included in any employee assessment system in effect at the time.