Teacher Evaluations in New York Decoupled from Student Test Scores [Democrat & Chronicle]

The bill will no longer require schools to use test scores as part of a teacher's evaluation. Instead, it would make that optional by districts and subject to collective bargaining.

It unanimously passed the Senate and was approved 125-6 in the Assembly. The bill will now head to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's desk for his signature.

We are clearly saying, work it out in the district," said Senate Education Committee chairwoman Shelley Mayer, D-Yonkers.

"We can decide how much weight you want to give to these kind of tests, but you might be able to come up with other measures that work as long as they are measures approved by the state Education Department."