Governor Quinn today signed legislation that will require significant changes to the way that teachers and principals are evaluated. This is another example of the ways that Illinois is quickly jumping through political and bureaucratic hoops to establish eligibility for a possible $400 million in Race to the Top Funds.

“This law is another strong signal to Washington that a top-notch education for all Illinois students is our foremost priority,” said Governor Quinn. “Rigorous teacher and principal evaluations will make our education system the best it can be, while ensuring Illinois is at the head of the class when it comes to winning those important federal ‘Race to the Top’ funds.”
Senate Bill 315 is sponsored by Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) and Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D- Aurora) and requires every school district to incorporate student performance as a significant factor in teacher and principal evaluations. The new law requires districts to work with its local teachers’ union to meet the new requirement. The Governor’s office, Illinois State Board of Education, management groups, the two major unions, civic and business leaders, advocates, and legislators from both parties worked together over the last two months to implement needed reforms for Illinois students.
Approximately 350 school districts, representing more than 70 percent of Illinois’ students, have agreed to make student performance at least 50 percent of evaluation criteria if Illinois receives “Race to the Top” funds. Timothy Daly, president of The New Teacher Project, which has been a leader in national efforts to improve the quality of teachers, called the legislation “groundbreaking.”
Under the legislation, Chicago Public Schools and dozens of other districts will begin using the new teacher evaluations in 2012, with full statewide implementation by 2016. All districts will implement the new principal evaluations in 2012. If the state wins “Race to the Top” funds, the timeline would be greatly accelerated with most districts implementing the evaluations in 2012.

District 228 did not sign a required Memorandum of Understanding to participate in Race to the Top. However, it should be noted that eventually should these requirements for evaluation, and also alternative certification and other regulations extend beyond Race to the Top, then we will also be required to comply.