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Lawsuit Challenges New Teacher Evaluation Rule

Photo via www.modoc.k12.ca.us

  A lawsuit filed by Democratic legislators and a teachers union asks a court to block the New Mexico Department of Education's new system for evaluating public school teachers' performance.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that the lawsuit filed Friday in state District Court in Albuquerque contends that parts of the department's rule conflict with state law and are illegal.

Department spokesman Larry Behrens calls the suit a delay tactic that harms public school students.

Behrens also notes that the state Supreme Court previously rejected a challenge to the rule.

Attorney Shane Youtz represents the plaintiffs. He says the new suit is narrower.

The suit cites provisions of the rule allowing charter schools to apply for waivers and for personnel other than principals to observe teachers in the classroom.