U.S. Education Officials Praise New Mass. Teacher Evaluations

Federal education officials are praising a new teacher evaluation system in Massachusetts.

As the state begins to use evaluation methods that take into account student progress, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, during a Boston visit Monday, said the way teachers are evaluated now doesn't work.

"We don't reward great talent in our country. We don't support those in the middle. We don't remove those where it's not working — and I think Massachusetts has an opportunity to lead the country where we need to go," he said.

Massachusetts has $27 million in federal money to give merit pay and other incentives. The state is scheduled to begin implementing those guidelines in September.

For the first time, Boston Public Schools gave bonuses to teachers and classroom aides in 12 schools whose students have improved.

Duncan and Sen. John Kerry were also scheduled for a town hall-style meeting Monday at Emerson College with students from Emerson and several other universities. Among the issues expected to be discussed are college affordability and workforce preparation.

Duncan was also expected to meet separately with some local college presidents.

With reporting by The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom