Discussed Race to the Top:

It would have been MUCH worse had TEA no gotten involved. Originally, the Governor's Office wanted 2/3 of teachers'

evaluations to come from student test scores and wanted probationary period for tenure to move from 3 to 4 years.

TEA got substantial changes, Test scores now are 50% of teachers' evaluations with only 35% coming from TVAAS Scores.

We also got a non-partisan 3rd party to preside over dismissal of tenured teachers.  TEA also got 1/3 of the members

deciding on how to evaluate teachers without TVAAS Scores to be TEA members.

Something we need to be watching is the RETIREMENT SYSTEM.  We want it to remain a DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN,

NOT A DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN.

using TEA's web site (we may be using some of these forms soon).  We also learned about prioritizing the TONS of info the President

gets from TEA.  We conducted a sample meeting and learned ways to move the meetings along if discussion lasts too long.  We also worked

on several scenarios to improve leadership.  This was a Great training and the Johnson City Library was a much better location than the Holiday Inn.

If you have any questions, please contact Jamie or Nancy, as both attended this training.