After months of negotiations, New Bedford teachers and the School Committee ratified a new educators contract Tuesday. The three-year deal is backdated to July 2011, when the previous agreement expired. Part of the contract includes new teacher evaluation language, where MCAS scores will be factored into performance assessments. Educators Association President Lou St. John says that contributed to the long negotiations....

Mayor Jon Mitchell praised the Association for adopting those measures, one year early.

The contract also contains step raises each year for eligible teachers, and 1.5 percent and 1.75 percent increases in the second and third years of the deal, for top tier educators. The new contract expires in June of 2014.

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