ATLANTA (AP) -- For the first time ever, student test scores will
soon factor into evaluations for teachers and principals across
Georgia under a new statewide program.
The state will roll out a pilot of its new educator evaluation
system in January, starting with the 26 school districts that
signed on to Georgia's application for the federal "Race to the
Top" grant competition.
The state won $400 million last year to launch a host of programs aimed at improving student achievement and turning around low-performing schools.
The new evaluation system will include test scores, classroom
observations, student surveys, and other measures for teachers and principals.
The state's pilot will include about 5,000 teachers and several
hundred principals, and up to 60 districts could be added each year starting in fall 2012. The entire state will be under the evaluation system starting in fall 2014.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)