Wednesday, May 22, 2013

News
Governor Proposes Student-Progress Evaluations for Teachers
Public comment taken through November 30
By Bill McAllister
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ANCHORAGE - Governor Sean Parnell is asking the state Board of Education to base at least half of the evaluation of a teacher or administrator on measurable student progress.

Under a proposal now out for public comment, the board would weight 20 percent of evaluations based on student learning.

But Parnell says many states are at 33 percent to 50 percent, and he says he wants Alaska to lead on this.

The governor said he would not be surprised if some teachers perceive he's saying they're not performing well enough.

"I'm sure some will take it that way. It’s not meant that way. Frankly, it adds value, I think, to a teacher, to be able to point to their students' improvement. And frankly, it gives them a basis for asking for larger salaries."

Public comments are being taken through November 30. The Board of Education will take up the matter in Anchorage on December 6 and 7.