Q&A: Senator Mike Johnston says we need great principals and teachers ‘in every school’
Introduction: State Senator Mike Johnston was influential in pushing a new teacher effectiveness bill signed into law in the state of Colorado last week after weeks of drama and controversy. The law ties teacher and principal evaluations to student academic growth and it changes the way teachers are granted tenure.
Johnson, a former high school principal and Yale educated lawyer, served as an education policy advisor to President Barack Obama before he became a state senator in Colorado just one year ago. The bill is being hailed as a model by education reformers, but it created rifts in the Democratic party and teachers unions in Colorado and led to everything from protests to tears.
Under the new law, a governor’s council will now define what makes an effective teacher and principal and will
Johnson, a former high school principal and Yale educated lawyer, served as an education policy advisor to President Barack Obama before he became a state senator in Colorado just one year ago. The bill is being hailed as a model by education reformers, but it created rifts in the Democratic party and teachers unions in Colorado and led to everything from protests to tears.
Under the new law, a governor’s council will now define what makes an effective teacher and principal and will