Mass. Board Approves New Teacher Evaluations

June 28, 2011

The Associated Press

Public school teachers will soon be evaluated on student performance in the classroom and on Massachusetts standardized tests.

The state's Education Board on Tuesday voted 9-2 to approve a proposal to evaluate teacher performance based on measurable student performance, such as their scores on the MCAS.

Students would take new district-wide tests to help evaluate teachers who do not teach grades or subjects tested by the MCAS.

Evaluations would also be based on student performance in the classroom, and feedback from students and parents.

School administrators would perform the evaluations every 90 days to two years, depending on the teacher's past assessments.

Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester recommended the initiative, which is the first update to state evaluation standards in 16 years.

The changes will be phased-in over three years.

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This program aired on June 28, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.