Teacher tenure in Missouri could change to performance standards

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Intro:	The Protect Our Local Schools initiative claims multiple education organizations and more than 100 school districts have passed resolutions in opposition to one proposed amendment on the ballot for November.
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Wrap: The amendment would impose statewide regulations that require teachers to be evaluated based on performance standards.

It also would limit teacher contracts to three years or less.

Missouri National Education Association chief lobbyist Otto Fajen said the amendment hurts teachers and students alike.

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Description: "I think that's the main concern is it's going to hurt education in Missouri. Uh it's completely the wrong direction, completely the wrong approach to take away local control on these core elements on how you move for excellence."

Southwest Missouri Senator Ed Emery is a sponsor of tenure repeal and supports the amendment,and said performance evaluations reward the best teachers.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Nicole Shaddy.

Intro:	An amendment on the ballot for November would forego teacher tenure in favor of performance evaluations.
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Wrap: Amendment three would impose teacher evaluations based on performance standards, including student achievment.

It also limits teacher contracts to three years or less.

Missouri National Education Association chief lobbyist Otto Fajen said these evaluations are unfair for teachers.

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Description: "I think it declares that teachers have to be essentially bereft of that kind of process of fairness. It basically says that they're kind of at the mercy of employers and of course that's also of concern."

Southwest Missouri Senator Ed Emery is a sponsor of tenure repeal and supports the amendment,and said performance evaluations reward the best teachers.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Nicole Shaddy.

Intro:	While the original organization sponsoring the teacher tenure amendment has backed off, one state senator said he supports the amendment and its performance evaluation standards.
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Wrap: Amendment three would effectively get rid of teacher tenure in favor of performance evaluations.

These performance evaluations would determine standards for pay and dismissals for Missouri teachers.

Southwest Missouri Senator Ed Emery said these performance evaluations are the best way to look at teachers.

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Description: "It tries to shift the focus on how well, how effective the teacher is rather than just how long the teacher has been there,and I think that's good in any environment no matter what you're looking at. I don't see why education would be any different than any other environment."

A Missouri National Education Association spokesperson said it is unfair for teachers to be evaluated based on their performance.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Nicole Shaddy.