Jessica Bakeman is reporting at Capital New York education stakeholder groups Thu., May 7, asked the state Board of Regents to be “bold” and “courageous” in their implementation of a new teacher-evaluation system. During eight hours of testimony, local leaders representing superintendents, principals, teachers, school boards and parents stressed that the board should interpret the new law as broadly as possible. Many argued to place as little emphasis as possible on students’ test scores, or on observations performed by independent evaluators. Other urged that the implementation deadline be extended for as many school districts as possible. “People want clarity,” Board of Regents chancellor Merryl Tisch said after the event. “They want continuity. They want decisions that make sense and that are thoughtful.” The law requires the Regents to adopt regulations finalizing the details of the evaluation system by June 30. Districts are then required to submit locally negotiated proposals to the state education department by mid-September. Read the full story at Capital New York.