‘Our professional growth system is a hill to die on’

No mention of Pearson-MCPS assessments in this Gazette article.  What is Superintendent Joshua Starr hiding?

Gazette:  Starr: Standardized tests shouldn’t grade teachers

...According to a Dec. 31 story in The Washington Post, Starr’s opposition to Obama administration school reform programs, particularly a plan to evaluate teachers through standardized tests, might have cost him a job offer. The Post reported that U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan lobbied newly elected New York Mayor Bill De Blasio not to hire Starr. The city school system has 1.1 million students and 1,700 schools.

Gazette: Half of state teacher evaluations to be based on student performance

State education officials approve pilot for next school year
by Andrew Ujifusa, Staff Writer

Half of a teacher’s evaluation will be tied to student academic performance under the basics of a new system approved by Maryland education officials Monday.
The Maryland Council for Educator Effectiveness passed a set of initial recommendations Monday that will be used as a pilot evaluation in seven public school systems next year. The pilot would be expanded to all 24 school systems for the 2012-2013 school year, with officials slated to receive feedback and make adjustments as necessary...