By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) – The Pennsylvania House has given preliminary approval to legislation that would create a new rating system for teachers, principals and non-teaching professionals.

The state House has approved an amendment sponsored by Lancaster County Republican Ryan Aument.

“The amendment adds clarifying language that ratings won’t be based solely on student test scores, because that was never the intent. The intent is to base half of a classroom teacher’s and principal’s evaluation on multiple measures.”

While student performance – which would be calculated using data from statewide assessments – would make up 50-percent of a teacher evaluation, the other half would be based on other factors such as student growth data and measures chosen at the local level.

The bill containing the amendment needs a final vote from the House before going to the Senate for consideration.