A Teachable Moment

In the remaining days of the New York legislature’s session, nothing is of as great importance to the state’s teachers as a law to shield their Annual Professional Performance scores from the public and the press. Every legislator I spoke to claimed to understand the chaos to be caused by publication of the scores. Each talked about how crazy the whole new teacher evaluation system is. Yet, there is still not a sponsor in the senate of an assembly bill that would protect teachers from the public humiliation that is sure to occur absent the passage of legislation. What was clear from my talks is that if Governor Cuomo does not take the lead and demand that teachers be treated decently, no bill will pass. This is one of the many times in New York when the outcome is dependent of discussions between the Assembly Speaker, the Senate Majority Leader and our Governor. For the moment, Cuomo is positioned to have his will. My bet?. Teachers are unlikely to get the legislation they need. I’m beginning to believe that many in the legislature are looking forward to the chaos this new teacher evaluation system will cause. Then they will have an excuse to act. Right now, none of those cowards wants to touch the issue.