Mass. School Districts Lag On Evaluation Changes

State education officials say most Massachusetts school districts are expected to miss a deadline to implement a new teacher evaluation system, putting federal funding in jeopardy.

Districts are required to approve the system that puts greater emphasis on student achievement by Sept. 1 or risk losing Race to the Top money.

Mitchell Chester, commissioner of elementary and secondary education, tells The Boston Globe many school districts are at odds with their unions in negotiating changes to evaluations. He calls delays a "lost opportunity."

About two-thirds of school districts statewide have signed onto Race to the Top and must negotiate the changes with their unions by the deadline. Other districts have until fall 2013 to adopt the changes.

Teachers union officials say they expect a wave of ratifications this fall.