NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Gov. Bill Haslam is asking for an outside review of new teacher evaluation standards in Tennessee.
The Republican governor said in a news conference at the Capitol on Wednesday that he has asked for an education foundation launched by former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist to conduct the review and to report recommendations back to the state next summer.
"We understand the concern around the evaluation
period. We really do get that and we understand how important it is, also
though to make sure we get this right for Tennessee," Haslam said at a press conference Wednesday.
"We think it's important to
get an independent third party to come in with experienced educators leading
the effort who can evaluate it, listen to everybody involved and talk about
what impacts it's had," he said.
The organization called SCORE is headed by former state Sen. Jamie Woodson, a Knoxville Republican.
Haslam said the process will allow the state to "separate the anecdotes from the flaws."
The governor said he will discourage lawmakers from considering bills seeking to change evaluation standards while the study is going on.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
