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Gov. Holcomb Signs New Order For Teacher Evaluations, Student Teachers

A teacher listens to student questions during an in class project in Kokomo.
A teacher listens to student questions during an in class project in Kokomo.

Teacher evaluations have remained in limbo as school buildings have closed, but Indiana's schools now have two options to consider under a new executive order from the governor Friday.

The  new order says schools can use a teacher's evaluation from last year, or conduct a new one. If it's new, they can't use test scores or observations unless those were done while classes were still meeting in person.

Schools will still conduct new evaluations for teachers on an improvement plan and teachers without an evaluation from last year. 

The order also waives the 10-week student teaching requirement for future educators, if their teacher preparation program signs off on the waiver. But teacher candidates can still finish their requirement by participating in remote learning. 

It also waives emergency drills and bus inspection requirements for this academic year, and extends a CPR training deadline for teachers.

For the latest news and resources about COVID-19, bookmark our Coronavirus In Indiana page  here.

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Jeanie Lindsay is a multimedia reporter covering education issues statewide. Before coming to Indiana, she attended the University of Washington and worked as a regional radio reporter to learn the ways of public broadcasting.