The state Board of Education and Early Development, which met last week, repealed the requirement that school districts consider data about student achievement when they evaluate educators. Alaska had adopted that requirement in order to receive a waiver from the No Child Left Behind Act.
Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, school districts do not have to consider data about student achievement when they evaluate educators. Consequently, Alaska has repealed its requirement. If it had been left, the requirement would have taken effect in Alaska next school year.
Also at the meeting, the board set qualifying scores for the new version of the SAT in determining students’ eligibility for the Alaska Performance Scholarship.
The board will send out proposed regulations for public comment that would clarify the requirements for teachers gaining a retired teacher certificate; holders of retired teacher certificates would be able to substitute-teach only in the areas in which they had at least three years’ experience.
Another regulation would require school districts to employ a certificated teacher to replace a teacher who will be absent for more than 20 days or to temporarily fill a vacancy at the start of the school year. If a teacher with a regular certificate is not available, districts could use a teacher with a retired teacher certificate as a substitute for up to 90 days.
The last item up for comment is to repeal provisions about teacher qualifications under the No Child Left Behind Act, which have been eliminated by the Every Student Succeeds Act.
To comment, go to education.alaska.gov/regs/comment.cfm
