Georgia is moving forward with a plan to standardize annual evaluations for teachers and principals based, in part, on student performance.

The General Assembly recently passed legislation to approve a statewide plan based on a pilot program launched a few years ago with federal funds.

Governor Nathan Deal is expected to sign the bill into law. State education officials have been working with local districts to prepare for the new system, set to be in place by the 2014-15 school year.

Georgia is the latest state to move toward a standardized evaluation system, as advocates nationally have pushed for the change.

In Georgia, evaluations will be divided 50 percent on student achievement and 50 percent on other factors, including classroom observations and student surveys. Evaluations will be required annually.

Tags: education, teachers, teacher evaluations