Texas Conservatives Back Teacher Evaluations, School Grading Plans
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Top conservatives clamoring for "school choice" voucher plans in the Texas Legislature are offering other priorities that are less hot-button but still may spark bitter floor fights.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Senate Education Committee Chairman Larry Taylor presented a package of bills Tuesday. They include a plan to issue A-F grades for individual public schools, plus expanded online learning.
Some proposals link teacher evaluations to pay raises and allow parents to petition to close failing public schools after just two years, instead of the current five.
Other Republicans and even teachers groups have cheered some of those ideas. But others, especially teacher evaluations and issuing schools `Fs' should prove contentious.
Patrick says highly anticipated school vouchers and pre-kindergarten plans would be unveiled soon, and remain top priorities.
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