A RECENT Globe article (“Teacher rating systems lagging,” Page A1, Aug. 21) gives the misleading impression that teachers’ unions and school districts are dragging their feet and at risk of missing a firm Sept. 1 deadline for adopting new educator evaluation contract language.
In fact, the state’s suggested Sept. 1 deadline is not legally binding. The regulations clearly state that the new evaluation systems must be implemented in Race to the Top districts for the 2012-13 school year. As a practical matter, that means adopting new systems by mid-October.
Our intent is to work with all parties to meet that timeline and to develop high-quality evaluation protocols that serve all students and our entire public education system.
The Massachusetts Teachers Association — the state’s largest teachers’ union — is a key architect and supporter of the new evaluation regulations. We are continuing to train thousands of teachers and administrators in the new requirements and are working to develop local systems that are effective at identifying educators’ strengths and weaknesses and facilitating improvement where it is needed.
Massachusetts schools are already first in the nation. With the collaboration, support, and staff development the new system is designed to provide, we can make our excellent schools even better.