Lehner’s bill aims to change Ohio teacher evaluation system

The Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES) could see significant changes if a bill recently introduced by State Sen. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) becomes law.

Lehner, chair of the Senate Education Committee, spotlighted several changes proposed in Senate Bill 240:

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** Lehner said the bill would change the data used to measure teacher performance, “placing specific emphasis on ensuring a teacher’s success is not primarily determined by student test scores.”

** She said the bill would improve the timing of teacher observations and evaluations and update the current rubric by which teachers are graded.

** Lehner’s office said the bill provides a professional growth process for teachers who are rated as “accomplished” and “skilled.”

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“We should always be trying to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability in our public school system, and this bill gives us an opportunity to do that,” Lehner said in a press statement. “It is important to understand the goals of teacher evaluations. Ensuring that they provide more substantive, timely feedback will help us better reach those goals.”

The bill comes out of work done by the state’s Educator Standards Board, representing numerous education stakeholders. Lehner said she hopes the changes will be phased in over the next two school years.

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