Don't Punish Teachers with Test Scores

Lily Eskelsen Garcia, a former Utah Teacher of the Year who recently was elected president of the National Education Association, kicked off the Utah Education Association's convention at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy. Her opening address condemned the use of standardized tests as a measurement of teacher effectiveness and encouraged educators to "let the test scores fall wherever they fall." 

"I'm not afraid of tests. I'm not afraid of data," she said. "I'm afraid of pretending that this test score means something that it doesn't."

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The Best Reform Ideas Come from Teachers

In our combined 70 years working in classrooms, lunchrooms and public education, we've learned that our students do better when policymakers listen to those who know best: teachers and education support professionals. Nobody is more passionate about ensuring that there is a great educator in every classroom than teachers, and nobody fights harder for the resources our students need and deserve. Together with parents, educators have led the effort to secure adequate and equitable funding for our schools.

Read the complete commentary by NEA and UEA presidents - Click Here

New State Superintendent Chosen

A divided state school board picked Ogden School District Superintendent Brad Smith on Friday to lead Utah's public schools, choosing a controversial figure criticized by many of his employees but beloved by school reformers.

Smith received eight votes in favor, the minimum required for board actions. He expects to start work in early November.

Read the Article in the Salt Lake Tribune - Click Here