News Brief
Revised Teacher Evaluation Regulations Decrease Test Scores' Weight
Newark Star-Ledger (NJ) (04/04/13) Calefati, JessicaNew Jersey's tenure law was modified by state education officials to reduce the role of standardized test scores in annual teacher evaluations. Test scores will now count for no more than 35 percent of teacher evaluations, down from up to 50 percent for fourth through eighth grade teachers. Classroom observations would account for the remainder of the evaluations. State Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf says districts would not be allowed to calculate a greater portion of these teachers' ratings using students' NJ ASK test scores in math and language arts. Teachers of other grades and subjects will be evaluated under a different rubric based only on classroom observations and teachers' ability to meet student growth objectives. The new tenure law, which takes effect next fall, ensures that teachers with the lowest annual ratings lose their tenure and possibly their jobs. The state will propose a final version of the evaluations, and they will likely take effect this fall.
To read the full article, click here
This news brief was summarized for Chiefline, CCSSO's weekly newsletter. Click here to receive Chiefline in your inbox weekly. Newsbrief Copyright 2012 INFORMATION, INC.