Latest News and Comment from Education

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Seeking state-local balance on evaluations | EdNewsColorado

Seeking state-local balance on evaluations | EdNewsColorado

Seeking state-local balance on evaluations

A central issue in Colorado’s year-old educator effectiveness law – the amount of flexibility school districts should have in evaluating teachers – was at the forefront Wednesday as the State Board of Education discussed rules for implementing the law.

The board got its first formal look at the 30 pages of draft regulations for implementation of Senate Bill 10-191, the educator effectiveness law that requires annual evaluations of principals and teachers, basing 50 percent of evaluations on student growth and removing teachers from non-probationary status if they receive two ineffective evaluations.

“This is an exciting day, an historic day,” noted Deputy Commissioner Diana Sirko.

A key issue in the draft regulations is whether districts should opt in or opt out of the model system to be

Hancock renews promise of DPS focus

Denver Mayor-elect Michael Hancock Wednesday reaffirmed he’ll be paying close attention to the relationship between city hall and Denver Public Schools.

And, a prominent Hancock supporter hinted where the new mayor’s sympathies might lie in the November DPS board elections, viewed by many as pivotal to the district’s future.

Denver Mayor-elect Michael Hancock

Denver Mayor-elect Michael Hancock

Hancock, who said during his campaign that he would name a special liaison to DPS, elaborated on his plans during a post-election news conference at Civic Center Park.

Referring to the city’s Office for Education and Children, Hancock said, “We’re going to modify it to manager of children’s affairs, and that individual is going to work with me to create more of a comprehensive approach to