Joseph Spector is reporting for lohud [dot] com under new legislation approved by state lawmakers Jan. 23, teacher evaluations would no longer be linked to student test scores. The bill eliminates the requirement that schools use test scores as part of a teacher's evaluation — instead make the use of testing results to determine educators' evaluations optional by school districts. Those tests include the Common Core exams in grades three through eight and Regents exams in high school. It also orders the state education commissioner to come up with regulations on the alternative assessments that may be used to determine a teacher or principal's evaluation. The measure unanimously passed the Senate and was approved 125 to 6 in the Assembly. "We are clearly saying work it out in the district," said Senate Education Committee chairwoman Shelley Mayer. "We can decide how much weight you want to give to these kind of tests, but you might be able to come up with other measures that work as long as they are measures approved by the state Education Department." The bill will now head to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's desk for his signature. Read the full story at loud [dot] com.