By Ben Velderman
EAGnews.org
    
LOS ANGELES – In a tentative ruling yesterday, a Superior Court judge said the Los Angeles Unified School District must make student test scores a part of  teachers’ job evaluations, or remain in violation of a 1999 state law that’s been largely ignored for years.
    
Judge James Chalfant’s 25-page opinion is seen as a strong indication of what his final ruling will be, although oral arguments will take place on Tuesday. Chalfant will announce his final decision next month, reports the Associated Press.
    
The ruling is in response to a lawsuit “by an anonymous group of LAUSD families sponsored by EdVoice, a Sacramento-based education reform group, against the district,” the AP reports.
    
The families argue the LAUSD is ignoring a 1999 state law that requires school districts to use student progress – as measured by state tests – in teacher assessments.   
    
The district currently uses a 27-point system for evaluating educators, and none of the criteria in the system are directly related to student learning, according to an attorney for the families. 
    
Assuming that Chalfant’s decision holds, it is a major victory for parents and education reformers who believe teachers should be rated on whether or not students are actually learning.
    
Of course United Teachers Los Angeles – the teachers union – opposes the concept, and wants any changes in evaluations to be subject to collective bargaining, reports the AP.  
    
Thankfully, that’s not how things will work, should the favorable decision prevail. District officials will be able to proceed with a new appraisal system despite the objections of the union.
    
Monday’s decision is another indication the nation’s public education system is undergoing a major course correction. Union members are being reminded that they work for families and taxpayers, not the other way around.