Feds flunk state's teacher-evaluation process, set May deadline for fix

WASHINGTON -- Federal education officials say Washington state's new teacher evaluation system does not make the grade.

The News Tribune reports the U.S. Department of Education says the state does not meet federal standards for measuring how much teachers contribute to student academic growth.

According to the Tribune, the state wants to waive certain provisions of the federal 'No Child Left Behind' Act.  That law requires 100 percent of students to meet rigorous standards by 2014.  If the state does not get the waiver, it could cost school districts a bundle.  Those with poor-performing students would have to dip deep into their federal funds to hire tutors.

The U.S. Education Department reportedly is placing Washington's request for a waiver on "high-risk" status and will give the state one more school year -- until May 2014 -- to resolve its issues.

In order to get back in the good graces of the feds, the state may have to change its policy of giving local districts the option to decide if they'll use state test results to judge a teacher's 'student growth rating.'

The Tribune says state Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn says state legislators need to change the laws and start requiring districts to use those state results.