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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DFER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOE WILLIAMS TESTIFIES BEFORE FLORIDA STATE SENATE AND HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEES
Washington, D.C. (Jan 26, 2011) – Joe Williams, executive director of Democrats for Education Reform, and Jocelyn Huber, director of teacher advocacy, testified before the Florida State Senate Education Pre-K – 12 Committee and the House K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee today on the topic of teacher evaluation and tenure reform.
Mr. Williams, a national expert on education, opened by encouraging a principled and focused approach to reform: “No matter your party affiliation, the first principle of education policy in Florida and in our country should acknowledge that an excellent teacher in the classroom is the most important determinant of a child’s educational success,” he stated.
Mr. Williams then presented a systematic roadmap for teacher tenure reform. Among several critical components, he called for implementation of an effective teacher evaluation framework.