Enzi: Teacher Evaluations Should Not Be Top-Down Directive From Washington

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee made the following statement today at the fourth in a series of hearings on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).  Today’s hearing focused on teachers and leaders.

“This reauthorization shouldn’t be a top-down directive solely from Washington – far removed from local school districts, teachers and students,” said Enzi.  “Teachers, principals and parents need to understand and define what is meant by an ‘effective’ teacher and principal, how that differs from ‘qualified,’ and how these measures will be used in teacher and principal evaluation systems.”

“Washington needs to listen.  There is no doubt that we are moving in the right direction, but this will take time and hard work in order to get it right.  To rush in without thinking it all the way through would be reckless and endanger the momentum we enjoy today to shift policy and practice to measures of effectiveness,” added Enzi.

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