Miami teachers march in support of public ed

MIAMI (AP) - Hundreds of teachers, union advocates and students are calling on Florida legislators to support public education.

The protesters occupied two lanes of traffic as they marched through downtown Miami on Friday. Many held signs saying “Let us teach.”

First vice president for United Teachers of Dade Tom Gammon said educators want legislators to know recent reforms have harmed students and the teaching profession.

The 2011 Student Success Act created a teacher evaluation system based in large part on student scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

Algebra teacher Enrique Baloyra was at Friday’s march and said he wants to be evaluated on more than just a test score. Other teachers said students are getting less time in creative subjects as they spend more time preparing for tests.