Thousands of RI teachers protest evaluation system

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Nearly 4,000 Rhode Island teachers are protesting a new evaluation system.

Test scores and other measures of student progress will affect the rating Rhode Island teachers this year. It's part of a national experiment to improve student achievement.

The Providence Journal reports that some teachers question if districts can measure teacher performance and worry that student progress will count too heavily toward their ratings.

They argue that student improvement is not entirely in their control, but also can be linked to a student's motivation and home life. Superintendents and principals also say the evaluations are too time-consuming and cumbersome.

State Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist backs the system, but has approved a plan by Providence schools to temporarily reduce the emphasis of the more contentious aspects of the evaluations.