Officials with the U.S. Department of Education announced last week they will grant leeway to some states in tying teacher evaluations to students test scores for the coming school year.
States would have to make their case to the department for the new flexibility, and the Department will approve the plans on a case-by-case basis.
It is unclear if Oklahoma is one of the states eligible. For this leeway to be granted the state must have an Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) flexibility waiver, state officials with the Oklahoma State Department of Education said Monday.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education recently requested an extension beyond the 2013-2014 school year. The department is still awaiting a response. Tricia Pemberton, spokeswoman with the department, said it is unlikely the state would apply for the additional extension.
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