On Wednesday, the State Senate unanimously passed SB 122, which delays for one year the implementation of an increase in the percentage of teacher evaluation based on student growth data.  Along with companion legislation – SB 202 , which does the same for administrator evaluation – the bill would mean that the percentage would remain at 25 percent for the current school year instead of increasing to 40 percent.

This delay isn’t the permanent solution we’re looking for – but frankly, permanently freezing at 25 percent only keeps a broken system from getting worse.  Passage of this legislation, which now heads to the State House, would provide a window to make significant changes that moves teacher evaluation from a punitive process to one that helps improve teaching and learning.

The recent Launch Michigan educator survey showed great dissatisfaction with the current system, and the upcoming MEA Voice magazine (landing in homes starting next weekend) shares the many stories about the system’s failures.

Please contact your State Representative today and urge immediately passage of this legislation to keep the increase from taking effect this school year and provide time for real changes to the evaluation system.