AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has signed a bill setting standards for teacher effectiveness and evaluation that he says will help improve Maine schools.

The bill, signed into law today, requires school districts to adopt teacher and principal evaluation systems, as well as support professional growth. It also establishes a panel to come up with statewide standards for teacher and principal evaluation systems.

LePage said every student deserves an excellent teacher and “every teacher and principal deserves clear expectations, and a fair evaluation process.”