Lawmakers around the country are looking to Colorado as they consider changes to teacher pay and tenure in their states.
“The way Colorado handled their teacher tenure reforms was very thoughtful,” said Joe Williams, executive director of Democrats for Education Reform. “It took into consideration a myriad of issues. In many states, it was more like piecemeal.”
In May, legislators in Colorado passed Senate Bill 191, which uses student academic improvement as half of the basis for teacher and principal evaluations and changes the way teachers earn tenure.
Sen. Michael Johnston, who wrote 191, has responded to requests from legislators in at least 10 states to help them consider, draft or rewrite similar teacher-effectiveness bills.
Democrats for Education Reform has paid for one trip out of state.
“Education reform is becoming a big issue from coast to coast,” Williams said. “He was very popular so I imagine his public speaking requests are only going to start pouring in.”
Johnston, D-Denver, said that while each state has different issues, most are interested in linking teacher evaluations to student achievement and changing tenure to make it easier to fire ineffective teachers.
“Some states just have issues that we don’t have or that Colorado had already previously addressed,” Johnston said.
In Illinois, where Johnston talked to legislators, a controversial draft proposal introduced in mid-December would diminish teachers’ ability to strike, in addition to tying teacher performance to earning tenure and certifications.
In Colorado, 191 faced opposition, but Johnston said cooperation from teachers, community members and unions ultimately helped it pass.
For Florida lawmakers, cooperation and support were a challenge.
Florida legislators passed their version of the plan, Senate Bill 6, by narrow margins in the House and the Senate last year, but the bill was vetoed by Gov. Charlie Crist following opposition from teachers unions.
Crist did not run for re-election last year. Johnston advised Florida legislators to work together as they get ready to try a teacher effectiveness bill for the second time with a new governor.
“I honestly say to people that those who opposed the bill did more to improve it than anyone,” Johnston said.
Williams said Johnston has unique qualities that allow him to bring many people together.
“He never loses his cool, and he’s extremely intelligent,” Williams said. “It’s part of what makes him seen right now as someone who understands the issue better than anyone else.”
Most recently, Johnston’s advice traveled to New Jersey, where Democratic Sen. Teresa Ruiz is drafting an education reform bill.
“It was important for us to have someone who could share their experience of being through this process,” Ruiz said. “The best thing of having him was knowing what we have is not a geographic issue. It’s a national issue.”
Johnston said that through advising and discussing the bill with others, some ideas may come back to Colorado as well.
“We are clear we’re a long way from done now,” Johnston said. “Part of the strength of the process is we built in the ability to make improvements as we go along.”
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372 or yrobles@denverpost.com