State Senate passes teacher reform bill
Colorado's Senate on Thursday night passed a controversial teacher reform bill after rejecting a number of amendments that would have eliminated many of the legislation's core concepts.
The bill, which has the support of Gov. Bill Ritter, now is expected to face a tougher challenge in the House.
The Senate will give the bill a third reading today, and the legislation is expected to be introduced into the House education committee Monday.
"This is a monumental change," said Sen. Rollie Heath, D-Boulder. "I hope none of us underestimate what we are doing in terms of a sea change in an organization that is one of the key components of our democracy."
Senate Bill 191 would tie 50 percent of an evaluation for principals and teachers to student academic growth and would change the way teachers get and keep tenure. And many observers think its passage would give Colorado a better shot at winning $175 million in the federal Race to the Top education-fund competition.
"This is one of those right-side-of- history votes," said Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction. "I want to commend the senators who have had the courage on the Democratic side to stand up and do the right thing."
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