Study Finds NJ Teachers Open to New Evaluation

A report commissioned by two education reform groups finds that New Jersey teachers believe the way they're being evaluated is too subjective, and that they are open to change.

But the report says the teachers are apprehensive about a plan from the state Education Department to overhaul evaluations based partly on students' standardized test results.

The report was obtained by The Associated Press as its distribution got under way to legislators and other education policymakers.

It is based on an unprecedented series of focus groups held with nearly 300 public school teachers across the state. Teachers who agreed to participate were granted anonymity -- and given $100 gift cards.

The study and report were funded by nonprofit groups that advocate major change in how teachers are evaluated and granted tenure.