Ga. seeks to delay new teacher evaluation criteria

ATLANTA (AP) -- Georgia is asking federal education officials to delay the start of teacher evaluations tied to test scores.<br /> <br /> State Superintendent John Barge says Georgia educators need more time to prepare for the change. Federal officials announced in August that states could ask to delay using the results. Georgia submitted its request Tuesday.<br /> <br /> State education officials say 26 school districts plan to move ahead using student growth to evaluate teachers. Those districts received federal support through the Race to the Top grant that Georgia was awarded.<br /> <br /> Barge says a one-year delay would ensure awareness of the impact of the more rigorous standards among teachers and leaders and would give them time to adjust their teaching practices.