Appeals court rejects challenge to Florida teacher law

Education and learning background

An appeals court is rejecting a challenge to a state law that required teachers to be evaluated based on test scores.

The 1st District Court of Appeal on Friday ruled against six teachers who had challenged the law with the backing of the Florida Education Association.

The entire court ruled on the lawsuit. Judges split 10-3 on whether the law was constitutional.

The FEA, the union which represents the state’s teachers, said it would take a few days to decide whether or not to appeal the decision.

The lawsuit contended the merit pay law was unconstitutional because it gave wide discretion to state election officials over how to evaluate teachers.

The majority of judges, however, ruled that legislators gave enough direction to state officials on how to implement the law.

Associated Press



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