Statewide Teacher Evaluations Possible In 2014

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - A report is expected by June recommending a statewide teacher evaluation system that could be in place for the 2014-15 school year.

Deborah Loewenberg Ball, chairwoman of the Michigan Council for Educator Effectiveness, recently updated the House Education Committee on the council's work, which includes preparing recommendations for a new evaluation tool for the state's teachers.

Three school districts in metro Detroit are among 14 statewide testing one of four evaluation tools. More than 800 teacher evaluation systems currently are in place at the state's roughly 850 school districts and charter schools.

Ball said feedback from the districts, along with the council's research, will be a part of a final recommendation. The Legislature likely will act on the recommendation later this year. Districts then would need to put training into place and contracts for using evaluation tools would need to be signed.

"That's going to take quick work next year," Ball said.

The evaluation system is part of changes to Michigan's teacher tenure system passed by the state Legislature.

The Michigan Council for Educator Effectiveness, which was created in 2011, will also make recommendations on an evaluation tool for administrators; a student growth and assessment tool; changes to the state's requirement for a professional teaching certificate; and a process for evaluating and approving local evaluation tools.

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