STRONGER TEACHER EVALUATION RULES ADVANCE

Senate enacts rule for local control 

AUGUSTA—In a unanimous vote of 35-0, the Senate enacted a measure to implement new rules to help fairly and effectively evaluate Maine teachers.

“This compromise measure will protect local decision making,” said Senator Rebecca Millett, the Senate Chair of the Education Committee. “It’s important to set fair ground rules that benefit the local community of students, parents, and teachers.”

The measure requires educator evaluations be based on a combination of measures developed by local stakeholder groups with teacher representation.

The rules were developed based on other state models that have already received approval from the federal Department of Education to be in compliance with the requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) waiver system.

The measure will now head to the governor’s desk for his action.

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