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State Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr. today said he will approve the latest version of the Buffalo City School District teachers’ evaluation plan for School Improvement Grant (SIG) schools for the 2011-2012 school year.Ìý The plan, which the district negotiated with the Buffalo Teachers Federation, was sent to the Education Department last Friday, May 25.Ìý Commissioner King said he informed the district today that he will approve the plan when it is signed by the District and the appropriate union representatives and formally submitted to his office.Ìý

"Once the plan is signed by the district and the union, SIG funding will be restored to the Buffalo School District," Commissioner King said.Ìý "The money will be welcome, of course.ÌýÌý Buffalo’s SIG schools need all the resources they can get to help their students succeed.Ìý But it’s not just about funding.Ìý Teacher evaluations build better performance; they help teachers improve their practice, which in turn will help students improve their performance.ÌýÌý Our goal is to ensure every student graduates from high school ready for college and careers.Ìý That’s not happening in Buffalo right now.Ìý Students in SIG schools have been denied a good education for far too long. ÌýBut meaningful teacher evaluations and the improvements funded with SIG money should help start to turn that around.

"It’s been a long struggle, but thanks to the perseverance of the District and the unions, today is a victory for every student in one of the six affected SIG schools.Ìý This is the first step toward a brighter tomorrow for the students and the city."

King said his office returned the agreement to the District after making two typographical corrections.Ìý The agreement must still be ratified by the Buffalo Teachers Federation and signed by its president as well as the superintendent. SED’s communication to the district and the agreement can be found at:Ìý .