Looming Evaluation Changes In MA

Education Roundtable wants reform in new teacher contract

With the current teachers union contract set to expire June 30, a group of community activists is pushing for more accountability in city schools, including reforms that would place emphasis on teacher evaluations instead of seniority alone. The New Bedford Education Roundtable, which describes itself as a "group of concerned citizens interested in the performance and outcomes in New Bedford public schools," last week released a statement that indicated "adherence to seniority rule when teacher cuts are necessary" further derails the "possibility of a well-qualified teacher for every student." "In many places, how long you have there matters, but how well you do your job matters more," Mathes said. "Things like that need to receive the appropriate weight, given the circumstance."