Nelson bill linking principal evaluations to student peformance advances – Post Bulletin Story

By Heather J. Carlson The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

ST. PAUL — A Rochester lawmaker’s bill requiring 35 percent of a principal’s evaluation to be based on student achievement won Senate approval on Monday.
The bill sponsored by Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, passed 55-6. The measure still needs to clear the House before it heads to the governor.
“Education accountability and reform advocates support an evaluation process for principals that is specifically tied to how well students are actually performing in academics,” Nelson said.
Last year, lawmakers passed legislation requiring 35 percent of teacher evaluations be based on student performance beginning in the 2014-15 school year. Lawmakers also passed a measure requiring principal evaluations, but it did not specify how much student achievement should factor into those evaluations. This new evaluation system would take effect in the 2013-2014 school year. This principal evaluation is among the requirements for the state receiving a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law.
Supporters say principals should be held to the same standards as teachers. Critics say it’s not fair to treat principals and teachers the same because they have different jobs.