POSTED: 05/21/2010 01:00:00 AM MDT
UPDATED: 05/21/2010 02:52:04 AM MDT
A controversial teacher effectiveness bill that fractured the Democratic Party, made some lawmakers weep and led union members to protest on the Capitol steps is now law.
But Gov. Bill Ritter's signature Thursday ended only the first chapter of what is likely to be a long process to change the way Colorado educators are evaluated and how they get and keep tenure.
"This bill is about enhancing that profession through high-quality evaluation systems that will move us one step closer to the day when all Colorado students are taught by highly effective teachers in schools led by highly effective principals," Ritter said.
The law ties teacher and principal evaluations to student academic growth and changes the way
Sen. Michael Johnston, D-Denver, who wrote the bill, said the legislation is about recognizing and celebrating great teachers and leaders who never give up on their students.
"That is what this bill, at its heart, is all about," Johnston said. "We as educators are going to say, 'We're going to be there in the hardest time to let you know that we believe in you, regardless of how severe the circumstances outside of this schoolroom are.' "
Yet teachers, parents and students won't see the effects of Senate Bill 191 until it is implemented statewide in the fall of 2013.
The law now goes into its developmental phase — leaning on a 15-member council to define details behind the legislation.
The Governor's Council for Educator Effectiveness will have its third meeting today in the Colorado Education Association's boardroom. Its first order on the agenda: "Understand the implications of SB 191 for the council's scope of work and timeline."
"Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and do the work that the legislature was so kind to give us," said Kerrie Dallman, president of the Jefferson County Education Association and a member of the council.
By March 1, the council must define what makes an effective teacher and principal, develop a high-quality statewide evaluation system for both teachers and principals, and create performance standards for each category of licensed educator — among a host of other duties.
The council's recommendations will go to the State Board of Education, which must vote on the rules by September 2011.
"Right now it feels like an amazing amount of work as we head into the third meeting," said Dallman, who testified against the bill in both the House and Senate education committees along with other union representatives.
The CEA — the state's largest teachers union, representing 40,000 members — mounted a strong campaign to defeat the bill but also worked with lawmakers to add numerous amendments.
On Thursday, the union issued a news release saying it was committed to making the law work but still had concerns about the cost the bill would impose on school districts.
"We are pleased that some of the changes we suggested to the bill were included, but we still have a number of concerns about the implementation of this new law," said Beverly Ingle, CEA president. "For example, the law defines the outcomes of a new evaluation system before the council has had the chance to do its work of determining the system."
Ritter, however, praised the union in a news conference before the bill's signing — saying the CEA has been a strong partner in educational changes that have occurred in recent years. But CEA representatives didn't attend the event.
"I understand that (the CEA) considered Senate Bill 191 a bridge too far," the Democratic governor said. "There are a lot of people who said this was this big fight and that this would splinter things for a very long time. I have a different way of thinking about this. This is something that had to happen."
The bill isn't meant to be punitive and it will lift teachers up to being effective, he added.
"Over time," Ritter said, "we're going to get to a place where we are working together."
DETAILS OF NEW SYSTEM
- Evaluations: Beginning in the fall of 2013, teachers will be rated "highly effective," "effective" or "ineffective."
- Young teachers: "Probationary" teachers, currently those in their first three years, who earn three consecutive "effective" ratings become "nonprobationary."
- Veteran teachers: "Nonprobationary" teachers who get two consecutive "ineffective" ratings return to "probationary" status and will have a year to improve or face termination. Lawmakers estimate only 3 percent of teachers would lose their "nonprobationary" status under the new system. Teachers displaced from jobs would have 12 months, or two hiring cycles, to find a position before being cut from district payrolls.
Writer Contact: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
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