LAC 28:CXLVII.325. Extenuating Circumstances

A. For any year in which a school temporarily closes due to natural disasters or any other unexpected events, districts may request invalidation of student achievement growth data with relation to the value-added assessment model by submitting a request to the state superintendent of education. The state superintendent of education shall publish annually the process and timeline for making such requests. B. Evaluation results shall be invalidated for any teacher or administrator with 60 or more excused absences in a given academic year, due to approved leave, such as maternity leave, military leave, sick leave, or sabbatical leave. C. For approved leave of fewer days and for any other extenuating circumstances that significantly compromise an educator’s opportunity to impact student learning, educators, on their own behalf, district superintendents, or CEOs may request invalidation of student achievement growth data with relation to the value-added assessment model by submitting such requests to the state superintendent of education. The state superintendent of education shall publish annually the process and timeline for making such requests. D. In the event that a yearlong resident has substantially negatively impacted student learning in the mentor teacher classroom, the district superintendent or CEO may submit a written request to the state superintendent for invalidation of student achievement growth data with relation to the value-added assessment model, in accordance with processes and timelines set forth by the LDE. E. In cases where value-added data is invalidated, the principal or designee will have the discretion to determine the evaluation rating, based on the evidence available from students learning targets and observations. F. Neither the value-added model nor the measures of student growth shall include a test score or data of a student who has accrued ten or more absences, whether excused, unexcused, consecutive, or nonconsecutive, in any semester of a given school year. Credit recovery, academic credit, and attendance credit shall not be considered factors relative to such absences in an evaluation.