Teachers Gain Expanded Right to Appeal Evaluations

by Andrea Sears

ALBANY, N.Y. – The New York State Board of Regents has approved emergency regulations that will expand the right of teachers to appeal negative evaluations based on student test scores.

Some teachers have seen their evaluations swing from “highly effective” one year to “ineffective” the next, ratings that can affect their careers. Karen Magee, president of New York State United Teachers, said giving teachers the chance to challenge those ratings is an important step forward.

“The right of the appeal at this point in time will afford teachers the opportunity to have a fresh set of eyes look at their scores and to actually give them the chance to have a voice,” she said.

The teacher’s union still has objections to the state test scores being used in teacher evaluations at all.

Magee said any number of variables contribute to how well students perform on standardized tests that are outside of a teacher’s control.

“Variable such as the makeup of the class, variables that impact learning, variables such as students who live in impoverished areas and don’t have the resources and the support,” she said.

The union said it will continue to work with parents, educators, the Board of Regents and lawmakers to develop an evaluation system that is fair and meaningful.

PHOTO: Scores on state tests can be half of a principal’s or a teacher’s evaluation. Credit: Josh David/flickr.com