Senate leader Phil Berger’s education reform proposal got the stamp of approval Wednesday from a key committee as his effort to end teacher tenure, strengthen teacher education and licensing standards, and provide more transparency on school performance gained momentum.

“It is important that we have highly qualified teachers at the head of the classroom,” Berger, R-Rockingham, told the Senate Education/Higher Education Committee. “These measures will help ensure that is the case.”

Even with the committee’s approval, Senate Bill 361 has not won over the state’s largest teacher union and a number of skeptical Democratic lawmakers.

Under the proposal, state employees would be able to volunteer for an hour a week at schools. End-of-course tests would be limited to the last 10 days of a calendar year for year-long courses, or the last five days of a semester for semester-long courses.

Would-be elementary education teachers would be given instruction on reading instruction diagnosis and intervention, and requires new teachers to make minimum scores in reading and math.

The bill would modify the letter-grade system given to schools that was passed in last year’s education reform act. Berger said his proposal would expand on last year’s reforms by having a component telling parents whether the school made or failed to make growth goals.

“Together these two measures will foster greater transparency, encourage struggling schools to improve and allow parents to determine the best options for their children.”

Yet to be worked out is a pay-for-performance or merit pay system. Berger said he was waiting from a report from school districts, which is expected next week.

Teacher tenure would end in five years, even for teachers who now have tenure.

Replacing the tenure system would be one-year contracts issued by local school boards for teachers with fewer than three years employment. Teachers employed three or more years would be offered contracts ranging from one to four years. Top teachers would be offered $500 salary supplements.

Ending teacher tenure and the letter-grade system drew the most comment from committee members.

Sen. Josh Stein, D-Wake, noted that in many other states using a letter-grade system, the growth component (or the student improvement over the course of a school year) is included in a single letter grade.

“Two-thirds of their grade comes from school improvement,” Stein said. “Can we not somehow adjust the formula?”

Berger responded that having separate scores better provide parents information about a school’s performance.

Alamance-Burlington school board member Jackie Cole also suggested that the letter grade formula be modified to include school improvements.

North Carolina Association of Educators President Rodney Ellis encouraged committee members to oppose the bill. He said the bill did not set up an efficient way of dismissing ineffective teachers.

Mooresville Superintendent Mark Edwards said he felt the reforms could work in school districts across the state, adding that the bill needed some fine-tuning.

He suggested that the reform package include a provision allowing teachers who now have career status to continue with that status.

The bill now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Barry Smith (@Barry_Smith) is an associate editor of Carolina Journal.