The bill's provisions amend Colorado Revised Statutes concerning local boards of education duties, intending to remove the pressure from educators who are faced with the unprecedented challenge of adapting to ongoing instructional disruptions. By temporarily halting the inclusion of student performance measures in evaluations, the bill seeks to establish a stable baseline for assessing academic growth in future years. This action promotes confidence among educators and aims to maintain high teaching standards without penalizing them for factors such as learning loss that arose from external challenges.
Summary
Senate Bill 22-069 addresses the challenges faced in the educational sector due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill specifically prohibits the use of student academic growth measures and other related performance metrics when evaluating licensed personnel for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. This legislative action aims to preserve the integrity of the performance evaluation system for educators during a time of significant learning loss, thereby ensuring that teaching effectiveness is not adversely influenced by circumstances beyond the educators' control.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding SB 069 is largely supportive among educators and advocates who believe it acknowledges the unique hurdles posed by the pandemic. Legislators presenting the bill argue it is a necessary response to the feedback from both teachers and performance evaluation experts. However, there may be some dissenting opinions concerning the bill, as some stakeholders may feel that it undermines objective measures of teacher performance, prompting a cautious dialogue about the appropriate balance between accountability and support in the educational landscape.
Contention
The bill presents the noteworthy contention that while it protects educators from potential penalization due to external factors influencing student performance, it could also lead to debates around accountability measures once the emergency period is behind. Critics might argue that continuous evaluation even in challenging times is essential for ensuring educator effectiveness and student success. Nevertheless, the overarching intent of the bill is to provide relief and to reestablish valid metrics for evaluating educational performance only after stabilizing the learning environment.