D.C. Council considers steps to restrict public access to teacher evaluations – The Washington Post

dcogcadmin | June 17, 2015

The Washington Teachers’ Union and open-government advocates are urging the D.C. Council to slow down a vote that would curb access to information related to teacher evaluations, one of the most controversial aspects of the District’s education reform efforts.

A proposed amendment included in the Budget Support Act that the council is scheduled to vote on June 30 would block public-record requests for individual education evaluations, “effectiveness ratings,” observations and other assessments. Summary or aggregate data would still be available for public release.

District officials said that current laws protect personal information of teachers in D.C. Public Schools and that the measure is designed to protect charter school employees. Elizabeth Davis, president of the WTU, said the wording of the measure is confusing and potentially could have broad effects, [Read More]