Gov. Susana Martinez's administration says it will move forward with implementation of its teacher evaluation system despite opposition from some teachers and Democratic lawmakers.
Two state senators had asked Public Education Secretary-designate Hanna Skandera this week for more time to acclimate to the new rating system.
But the administration signaled it will not budge.
Skandera wrote in a letter Tuesday to Sens. John Sapien and Rick Miera that now is not the time for delay. She says the state's low status in national education rankings warrants immediate attention.
The evaluation system will affect about 18,000 teachers statewide.
Some lawmakers and teacher unions have sued in state district court to halt the implementation. A hearing in that case is scheduled Thursday.
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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com
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