Ritter signs teacher tenure legislation

By The AP
Thursday, May 20, 2010

DENVER — Gov. Bill Ritter has signed a landmark change to education law that will require teachers to be judged on the performance of their students and put their jobs on the line if they fail.

Ritter signed the bill today after addressing the divide between Democratic supporters and the state’s largest teachers’ union. Ritter said the bill is about helping children and about helping teachers improve, not punishing them.

Under the new law, teachers will be evaluated each year, with at least half their ratings based on whether their students progressed during the school year.

Their students’ performance would affect whether teachers lose tenure and the right to appeal dismissal. Teachers will also be able to appeal poor evaluations.