Test scores could be factor in teacher discipline under bill

Jason Stein:

School officials could use standardized tests to help decide whether to discipline or fire a teacher, under a bill passed by the state Senate Thursday.

The bill passed 17-16 on a party-line vote, with Republicans supporting it and Democrats in opposition.

Current law allows school administrators to use standardized tests as one of multiple criteria to evaluate teachers' performance but prohibits school districts from using the test results to fire or suspend a teacher. The bill would allow such actions as long as the test results weren't the sole reason for removing, suspending or disciplining a teacher.

Democrats urged senators to hold off on the bill and wait for an effort by GOP Gov. Scott Walker and state schools Superintendent Tony Evers to finish its work developing a system to better evaluate student learning.

"This is a very unfair position that we're putting teachers in," Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) said.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at October 21, 2011 2:08 AM
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