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Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch and State Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr. said today that agreement on teacher and principal evaluation legislation is a great step forward toward improving teaching and learning in New York’s schools. King said the new system will protect more than $2.5 billion in federal Race to the Top funds and other education funds over two years and, more importantly, help improve student performance.

"This agreement is evidence of how much we can achieve if we focus on what’s best for our students," Chancellor Tisch said. "The Governor and the Legislature have agreed to enact a strong tool to help build better educational opportunities for every student in the state.Ìý But our work is by no means over. The Regents have adopted a major education reform plan, and teacher and principal evaluations are just a part of that reform.Ìý Our work will not be finished until we’ve made sure all our students receive the education they need to succeed in college and careers."

"The goal is and always has been to help students – to give them every opportunity to succeed in college and careers," Commissioner King said. "To make that happen, we need to improve teaching and learning. We owe it to our students to make sure every classroom is led by an effective teacher and every school is led by an effective principal. Today, the Governor and the Legislature have helped us take a strong step toward that goal."