Governor Wants Teacher Evaluations Posted on Public Websites

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A plan by Gov. Sam Brownback to post teacher
evaluations on public websites is drawing strong criticism from
lawmakers in both parties.
Under Brownback’s plan, student performance on state assessments
would be the primary factor in teacher evaluations. Evaluations
also would include input from supervisors, peers, parents and
students, and consider teachers’ contributions to the profession.
The evaluations would be placed on websites designated by the
school districts, with teachers ranked from highly effective to
ineffective. The administration says the system would reward good
teachers and encourage bad teachers to improve.
Democratic and Republican members of the House Committee on
Education blasted the plan Thursday. They said it would cause
tension between teachers and parents, put all the blame for student
performance on teachers, and interfere with school officials’
decisions.