© 2024 WNMU-FM
Upper Great Lakes News, Music, and Arts & Culture
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Business groups want academic growth to be a higher percentage of teacher evaluations

ANN ARBOR, MI (MPRN)--   Business groups are fighting a proposal to keep student academic growth as a smaller percentage of teacher evaluations in Michigan. 

This year the percentage of a teacher’s evaluation that relies on student growth is scheduled to increase from 25 percent to 40 percent. A bipartisan bill would keep the percentage at 25 percent.

Tim Sowton is with Business Leaders for Michigan. He testified against the bill last week, saying higher standards are needed.

“We’re not interested in stifling any creativity amongst the teaching profession in how to get to success.  But the standard for success shouldn’t vary depending on where you are in the state,” he said.

State lawmakers will consider revising the teacher evaluation standards this fall.

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Radio since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting. During his two and a half decades in broadcasting, Steve has won numerous awards, including accolades from the Associated Press and Radio and Television News Directors Association. Away from the broadcast booth, Steve is an avid reader and movie fanatic. Q&A