Georgia is trying to improve its teaching force by improving the quality of candidates admitted to teacher prep programs and the quality of teachers already in the classroom. I discuss the efforts, which include a controversial new evaluation that considers student test scores. A guest columnist praises the inclusion of student performance in teacher reviews. And readers debate whether schools would improve if students were not tracked into classes by ability.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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