Nevada Chosen to Help Create Teacher Evaluation Program by National Governor's Association

Nevada has been chosen to participate to help design a teacher evaluation system. It's one of four states and territories chosen by the National Governor's Association. The state will have 35-thousand dollars to assemble a team of school advisors and lawmakers to develop a plan for a new statewide plan to evaluate teachers. Dale Erquiaga with Governor Sandoval's office says focusing on teacher evaluation is vital to the governor's education reform plan. "Most people believe that the teacher and principal working together you cover probably 60% of a student's achievement ability. I've seen studies that vary on that percentage. But it is critical that we have a good evaluation tools to evaluate teachers." Eriquiaga says the evaluation program will be helpful when Nevada transitions to a merit based pay system for teachers in two years. The council has until June 1, 2012 to make their recommendations.