Principals Speak Out on New Evaluation Law

ALBANY, NY (11/02/2011)(readMedia)-- The School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS) supports the grassroot efforts of a coalition of Long Island principals and many members as they speak out and lobby their concerns regarding the particulars of the new Teacher and Principal Evaluation Law, part of New York State's Race to the Top plan.

SAANYS member Carol Burris, principal of South Side High School in the Rockville Centre UFSD, and her Long Island colleagues have developed a substantive position paper entitled, "Open Letter of Concern Regarding New York State's APPR Legislation for the Evaluation of Teachers and Principals." The paper is hosted at www.longislandprincipals.org.

SAANYS has urged its members to support the effort. Previously, the association delivered a letter to Education Commissioner John King and the Board of Regents recommending that the state apply to the US Department of Education for a one-year extension of the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) provisions. That letter is available at www.saanys.org.

"While we support accountability in our schools at all levels, there is a tremendous amount of concern among the state's school principals and building administrators regarding the details and implementation timeline of the new evaluation law. We are hopeful that the commissioner and Board of Regents will consider the concerns voiced by our Association and these frontline administrators."

SAANYS represents over 7,000 school administrators, supervisors, and coordinators. As a professional association, SAANYS is committed to providing direction, service, and support to its members in their efforts to improve the quality of education and leadership in New York State schools. SAANYS is the state affiliate to both the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).