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Controversial state Senate Bill 191, which would link teacher evaluations to the academic growth of students, continues to advance, provoking a few tears along the way.
During a state House committee hearing on Monday in which the bill passed by a 7-6 vote, Representative Mark Ferrandino cried, according to Fox 31, as he discussed the importance of teachers, including his own parents, and his battle as a special-education student who grew up to become a lawmaker. “This has been the toughest vote for me down here,” the Denver Democrat said at the meeting before voting “yes.”
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The full House will take on the measure in a floor vote on Tuesday, one day before the end of the legislative session, according to The Denver Post, which notes strong support among Republicans for the measure. If the House’s 27 Republicans stick together, just a handful of Democrats would be needed for passage.
Supporters believe they have the votes to pass the measure, which Governor Bill Ritter has said he will sign if it crosses his desk. Leaders for the 40,000-member Colorado Education Association labor union remain staunchly opposed to the bill, along with most Democrats.