ROCHESTER, NY (WROC-TV) – The State Senate says it’s willing to change up how teacher evaluations work, something teacher unions want, but for a price.
New York State’s legislative session is wrapping up in days, a priority for teachers and unions is teacher evaluation reform.
Rochester Teacher Association President Adam Urbanski tells News 8 it’s all in the hands of one man, Senate Majority Leader, John Flanagan.
Flanagan is proposing to separate state test scores and teacher evaluations, a win for the union.
“Those test are totally inappropriate. They’re not age appropriate. They’re not necessarily testing things a kid is suppose to be learning in their classrooms,” Urbanski said.
Flanagan says he’ll pass this bill but only if it comes with an increase of state spending for charter schools.
Urbanski tells News 8, Flanagan is bargaining with our children’s education.
“Here we are with huge deficits ever year. A high concentration of children whose future totally depends on a well-funded education, “Urbanski said.
The Senate session runs until June 20. If this bill is not adopted by then the current evaluation system will continue for another year.
Republican Senator Riche Funke sent News 8 this statement that he agrees with Urbanski and wants the test scores separated without that money for charter schools.
” I was among the first senators to add my name as a sponsor to S8301, the bill that would de-link teacher evaluations from standardized tests. I believe in local control of our schools and in trusting the professionals in the classroom-period. This bill passed out of the education committee in the Senate and is pending on the floor calendar. I’ve spoken out in our closed door Republican conference and also at a press conference in recent weeks in Albany with NYSUT President Andrew Pallotta. I’ve called on our leadership to pass this bill, as is- loud and clear and by the end of this legislative session-I hope and believe that we will.”
