But it's not sitting well with some educators, who already have gone to court claiming the tests are illegal. Last week, the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the Massachusetts Federation of Teachers filed a lawsuit against the state, contending it was unfair, illegal and discriminatory to force teachers to take the tests. State officials have not yet pinned down which test will be given to math teachers, and are considering three existing diagnostic exams. All three will likely be given to willing volunteers this summer, said Ann Duffy, the Department of Education's assistant commissioner for teacher quality. Most of the courses run for up to one week, and focus on new teaching techniques, technology, and curriculum development.
Registration is completed months in advance.
Bill Kendall, head of the math department at Bridgewater High School, is urging his teachers to steer clear as well, contending the exam is not relevant to skills required to teach math. Gov. Paul Cellucci proposed teacher testing as a means of weeding out ineffective educators when the first disappointing round of Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exam scores were released three years ago. May. Under the board's decision, math teachers who take the test will not be penalized for failing. Instead, the results will be used to develop a targeted professional development plan to help boost the educator's weakest points. If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please send us e-mail .