Gov. Jay Inslee said he hopes lawmakers can come to an agreement on the state’s teacher-evaluation system before the legislature adjourns this week.
If they don’t, Washington’s public school system stands to lose control of about $40 million in federal funds.
His proposed law change would likely extend a waiver from the federal government from requirements of the No Child Left Behind law.
Two different teacher- and principal-evaluation bills were making their way through the legislature last week. The House proposal, supported by Gov. Inslee, would require statewide standardized tests be used in some teacher evaluations, but wouldn’t go into effect until the 2017-18 school year. The new rule would go away if the federal government does not extend the waiver.
An alternative bill, proposed by Senate Republican Sen. Andy Hill, would not delay implementation or consider the waiver.