E4E letter: CA Assembly bill takes teacher evaluation backward

On Wednesday, Educators 4 Excellence and nine other advocacy groups in California wrote a joint letter explaining why Assembly Bill 5 is a step in the wrong direction for California's teachers and students.

A.B. 5 is being sold as a bill to help California's application for an ESEA Waiver, but the bill has key problems that would both hurt the students and teachers of California, and prevent California from successfully receiving an ESEA waiver.  

The bill makes no explicit requirement of the use of data on student growth over time in teacher evaluation and requires every element of the evaluation system to be locally negotiated.  

These factors together mean that teacher evaluation systems will not be used to restore professionalism to education, encourage high-level professional development nor inform smarter personnel decisions.  A.B. 5 represents a huge step backward for the children and teachers of California.

Read the complete letter below.