NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi released the following statement today in response to developments on teacher evaluations:
"Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch's statement regarding regulations applicable to the Teacher and Principal Evaluation Law is extremely disturbing.
"Understandably, the opinion of the Governor's office must be given great consideration. However, in this case, the Chancellor's statement is clearly outside the scope of the legislation first proposed jointly by SED and NYSUT and signed into law.
"The Regents are obligated to create regulations consistent with the law everyone, including Secretary Duncan, Chancellor Tisch, Commissioner Steiner and Senior Deputy Commissioner King, has praised as the right way to proceed with teacher and principal evaluations. NYSUT expects all Regents, including the Chancellor, to weigh all comments accordingly. The pending regulations should reflect their commitment defined clearly in the statute that they helped to craft.
"NYSUT remains committed to a collaborative and thoughtful process for ensuring that every student has an effective teacher. No less is expected from the Board of Regents.
"I know the Regents respect the voice of practitioners and the collective bargaining process, especially as agreed to in this statute. We look forward to how they demonstrate that respect. The Regents must keep New York's public schools ahead of New York's political posturing."