(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), a teacher shall not be considered to have successfully completed the probationary period unless the teacher has been rated as effective or highly effective on his or her 3 most recent annual year-end performance evaluations under section 1249 of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1249, and has completed at least 5 full school years of employment in a probationary period.

    (2) If a teacher has been rated as highly effective on 3 consecutive annual year-end performance evaluations under section 1249 of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1249, and has completed at least 4 full school years of employment in a probationary period, the teacher shall be considered to have successfully completed the probationary period.