Group offers new teacher evaluation process

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut advisory council has drafted a model teacher evaluation system that includes student achievement as a factor, and could be used by school districts statewide.

The state Board of Education will discuss the proposed evaluation process Feb. 10. It comes from the state's Performance Evaluation Advisory Council, which reached consensus Wednesday on the framework.

Teachers would be evaluated on indicators of students' achievement; observation of their classroom performance and practices, such as planning and communication; and feedback from peers, parents, students and others.

Local school boards would have the option whether to use the procedure or a variation state officials would have to approve. The evaluation framework was endorsed by teachers unions, superintendents and others on the advisory council, and praised by Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor.