Cuomo calls for teacher evaluation shake-up

Many on Long Island might be wondering how the policies expressed in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's State of the State address applies to them.

Education was one of the most prominent topics of the governor's speech. He wants to make changes in the way teachers are evaluated, and he said during his speech that he wants to make it easier for districts to fire teachers who are "habitually ineffective."

“We have evaluations for 100 percent of the teachers. That's the good news,” said Gov. Cuomo. “The bad news is, they are baloney.”

The governor said state test scores should make up 50 percent of the evaluation – up from the current 20 percent. The other half would be based on observations.

Cuomo raised some eyebrows when he proposed a nearly 5 percent increase in school aid, but only if the Legislature agrees to his education reforms.

“I do think that holding hostage of aid to public schools – which again is another example of his unwillingness to have meaningful dialogue aimed at arriving at real solutions – is only going to make people more angry,” said Richard Haase, of the Half Hollow Hills Teachers Association.

Some legislators say reforms are needed but question whether the governor should be dangling money in front of them.

“I'd rather see the money go directly into education,” said state Sen. Marcellino (R – Oyster Bay).

The governor also called for tax cuts for small businesses, a tax credit for homeowners, and proposed spending $3 billion on infrastructure repairs.