New York Decouples Student Standardized Test Scores From Teacher Evaluations

A new law that allows districts and teachers to create evaluation systems at the local level was passed unanimously by the state assembly and senate.

Children on the first day that the indoor mask mandate was lifted for public schools in New York City, on March 7, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

A new law in New York that takes effect in the coming academic year allows school districts to remove student standardized test scores as a metric for evaluating and sanctioning educators.

New York state Senate Bill 9054 was signed into law in June by Gov. Kathy Hochul after both houses passed it unanimously. It allows local districts to replace the existing performance evaluation system for teachers and principals with their own framework for annual or periodic reviews.