A new teacher and principal evaluation system recently passed by the Assembly would include annual performance reviews that will determine the effectiveness of educators.
“We have an obligation to New York State’s children to provide them with the best education possible,” said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. “This overhaul of the way we evaluate educators will provide for a more objective, student-center rating system and help to ensure that under-performing schools, teachers and principals are given the assistance they need to improve.”
Student achievement will account for 40 percent of the evaluations. “Locally-developed measures,” such as classroom observations, would make up the other 60 percent.
Ratings of highly effective, effective, developing or ineffective will be given. Teachers or principals who receive developing or ineffective ratings would be subject to improvement plans, the development of which would be required if the Assembly bill becomes law.
Those who receive the ineffective rating two years in a row may be subject to a hearing process and possibly removal.
“This legislation enhances the current system of teacher evaluations, which only categories educators as satisfactory or unsatisfactory,” and Queens Assemblymember and Education Committee chair Catherine Nolan.
The reviews will also play a role in promoting, retaining, terminating or giving tenure to educators. Reviews will also be considered when determining supplemental compensation.
The system will begin with fourth through eighth grade teachers and their principals in the 2011-2012 school year. It will then expand to be used for all teachers and principals during the 2012-2013 school year.
“By instituting more rigorous guidelines, we will make New York State an even stronger competitor in the next round of federal Race to the Top funding,” Nolan said.
