Merit pay on trial today

From the Orlando Sentinel, by Leslie Postal

The Florida Education Association has sued the state over the merit pay law approved last year and also has filed an administrative challenge to how the state is implementing the law — which overhauls teacher evaluations and pay plans.

The administrative challenge is to be heard starting today at 9 a.m. in Tallahassee, the teachers union said.

The union and two teachers challenged part of the new teacher evaluation plan in April, saying it gives the state “unbridled discretion” over how school districts judge teacher quality. The challenge concerns a rule detailing what must be included in new evaluation plans, based on student test score data and on classroom observations.

Attorney Tony Demma said in April that the state rule requires action from districts beyond what the law spells out and has a long list of vague requirements.

An administrative law judge has scheduled two days for the hearing on the challenge, said Mark Pudlow, a spokesman for the union.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_education_edblog/2012/05/merit-pay-feas-administrative-challenge-to-be-heard-today.html