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Pennsylvania Chamber members support a legislative effort to improve Pennsylvania’s current teacher evaluation system.   

H.B. 1980 would replace the ineffective “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory” teacher rating system with a system that includes four evaluation standards – distinguished, proficient, needs improvement and failing. Teacher evaluations would also be determined by a 50 percent student achievement, 50 percent classroom observation formula. The proposal is based on a successful pilot program currently being offered through the Department of Education, which considers several factors when determining a teacher’s performance, including planning and preparation, instruction, the classroom environment and overall student performance data. More than 100 school districts are voluntarily participating in the program.

The bill would address the contradiction that exists within the education system, which has experienced an increase in public school drop-out rates and a decrease in student test scores, but an overall 99.4 percent ‘satisfactory’ rating for Pennsylvania teachers.

Pennsylvania Chamber members view the bill, along with other educational reforms under consideration in the General Assembly, as key to helping bridge the gap that currently exists between employer needs and employee skill sets by ensuring an educational system that meets the needs of all students – tomorrow’s workforce.

In a letter to House Education Committee members, the PA Chamber touted the merits of H.B. 1980 and referenced a recent study that ranked Pennsylvania 35^th of the 50 states and gave the state a “D” grade for its return on investment in education. Stressing that the study makes a great case for teacher evaluation reform, the PA Chamber urged lawmakers on the committee to advance the bill.

“Through enactment of this legislation, teachers will be able to continuously enhance their teaching skills and in turn, students will benefit,” PA Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Sam Denisco wrote in the letter to lawmakers.

Revisions to the teacher evaluation system are part of Gov. Tom Corbett’s four-part education reform plan.

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Founded in 1916, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association, with its membership comprising businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. The PA Chamber is The Statewide Voice of Business.