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RACE TO THE TOP FUNDS

April 15, 2010

Clock ticking for union-inspired panel on assessing teachers

Next deadline is May 14

By Matthew Stone mstone@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- The panel charged with preapproving teacher-evaluation models that use student data must get to work before Maine submits its application for up to $75 million in federal education funds.

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Gov. John Baldacci on Wednesday ordered the six-member panel to review and approve by May 14 at least one such evaluation model for school districts to use.

The six-member panel is forming as the result of legislation lawmakers approved last week and Baldacci signed into law Monday.

The legislation eliminates the legal barrier prohibiting the use of student test data in teacher and principal evaluations -- a requirement for Maine's entry in Race to the Top, the national education reform competition.

But a last-minute amendment to the bill empaneled the six-member task force to preapprove evaluation models school districts must choose from if they decide to use student achievement data.

The panel includes representatives from the state Department of Education, state teachers' union and groups representing superintendents, school boards, principals and special-education administrators.

"It is essential that those on the frontlines of education in Maine are part of the process of developing the model by which Maine will meet the federal guidelines for Race to the Top funding," Baldacci said Wednesday in a statement.

Baldacci's order is a response to a concern raised last week by the Office of the Maine Attorney General that, as passed, the legislation didn't fully eliminate the legal barrier between student test data and teacher evaluations.

"It leaves open the possibility that the stakeholder group will not approve any such (evaluation) model," read the opinion from Chief Deputy Attorney General Linda Pistner.

The Attorney General needs to sign off on Maine's Race to the Top application, certifying that schools can legally use student test data in teacher and principal evaluations.

Matthew Stone -- 623-3811, ext. 435

mstone@centralmaine.com

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