In Hawaii, Teacher Evaluations Will Happen By Any Means Necessary

Fotalia

When it comes to Hawaii's Race to the Top, there's more than one way to skin the cat.

At least, that's the philosophy of state leaders trying to ensure the state doesn't lose the $75 million federal education reform grant. Hawaii was put on notice in December when U.S. Department of Education officials placed the grant on "high-risk" status for failure to make adequate progress on certain goals — among them, teacher evaluations and performance-based pay.

Two months later, the executive branch of government is attacking the problem on three fronts at once.

Legislators are considering two bills that would give the Hawaii Department of Education the authority to develop and implement a performance management system for teachers and principals.

On Tuesday, the Hawaii State Board of Education plans to vote on several board policies that together would require the Department of Education to develop a performance management system for teachers and principals.

Meanwhile, state and union negotiators appear to be working toward an agreement that would include performance-based pay and tenure for teachers, all based on an evaluation system still in its early stages of development.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie promised, after all, to use whatever means necessary to save the grant.

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