The Commissioner of DESE issued a memo about his recommendation to the Board of Education to eliminate the Rating of Impact On Student Learning, which is the component of the evaluation system that included DDMs. At first glance, this might seem like a win; however, he goes on to indicate that his recommendation will include the use of test scores in the summative rating (your overall rating of Exemplary, Proficient, Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory.) The effective use of assessments, including modifying instruction and practice based on results, is, as it should be, a component of the rubrics that are used to determine the summative rating. However, the inclusion of test scores in the rating of an educator is problematic on a number of levels. The CEA has taken a strong position against the use of assessment scores in the evaluation system. Stay tuned for how we can organize to oppose the commissioner’s recommendation.