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MI Legislature OKs Delay In Teacher Evaluation Change

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign a bill that would delay a requirement to give greater weight to teacher evaluations based on student growth and assessment data.

Legislation to delay a key change in Michigan's evaluation system for teachers and school administrators is on the way to the desk of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her expected signature.

 

The Senate took a final procedural step Tuesday to move the bill forward.

 

It would halt — at least for a year — a requirement that student growth and assessment data be given greater weight in educators' year-end performance evaluations. Such information now accounts for 25 percent of an evaluation but is scheduled to rise to 40 percent this academic year under a 2015 law.

 

Under the legislation, the change would be delayed until the 2019-20 school year.

 

Critics have said basing 40 percent of a teacher's evaluation on standardized testing is flawed.

 

Kevin Lavery is a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things considered.
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