Senate rejects removing teacher of record

The state Senate has rejected a move to weaken teacher accountability in Wyoming's ongoing education reform effort. By a 17-12 vote Wednesday, senators denied an amendment to drop the idea of trying to hold specific teachers accountable for student performance. Advocates of linking the so-called teacher of record with student performance say it's an important part of overall education reform. Opponents say it's impractical and difficult to identify a teacher of record because of the multiple teachers that may be involved in educating each student. The issue arose as the Senate considers House Bill 72, which would develop a system to measure the performance of teachers, superintendents, principals and other educators. The bill faces two more rounds of debate in the Senate.