State Rep. Tony Cook’s (R-Cicero) bill giving schools the flexibility to determine the impact student test scores will have on teacher performance evaluations could soon become law.
The Indiana Senate supported Cook’s bill by a vote of 49 to 1, sending it to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his consideration as a new law. Cook, vice-chair of the House Education Committee and former superintendent and principal, said House Enrolled Act 1002 removes a state mandate requiring schools to use student standardized test scores to significantly inform teacher evaluations.
“Each school district understands its staff strength and areas needing improvement, and has an ongoing evaluation plan in compliance with other state statute requirements,” Cook said. “I look forward to this bill becoming law and empowering schools by removing a requirement for state standardized test scores to significantly influence teacher evaluations. We hope this relieves some stress for educators who feel as though they are teaching to a high-stakes exam because of the impact the results could have on their annual assessments and salary.”
To learn more about this legislation, visit iga.in.gov.