Follow NWPE on:

Subscribe to RSS Feed:

New Teacher Evaluations Being Debated
posted by: Cindy Omlin | February 01, 2011, 07:53 PM   

The debate over "value-added" methods of evaluating teachers has caused controversy all over the country. While most agree that we must find a way of fairly evaluating teachers, not many agree on the method. One common thread of a new evaluation system is a new focus on student achievement.

In Tennessee, part of their success of securing Race to the Top funds was their promise to implement a new "value-added" system statewide. Under this developing system 50% of teacher evaluations would be depended on student performance. The other half of the evaluation will come from a principal's classroom observation, but the state is still deciding what model to use. Some schools are piloting various models to see how they could work in the classroom.

In New Jersey, a task force has been assembled by Governor Chris Christie to make recommendations for a new teacher evaluation system. The Governor has been receiving national headlines for his tough talk on tenure and teacher accountability. The task force is expected to come up with a plan by mid-February.

In Idaho, State Superintendent Tom Luna has also proposed a new plan that would implement a similar "value-added" system. Under the "Students Come First Plan," 50% of teacher evaluations would also depend on student performance but would also take into account, parental review, and faculty and administrative review.

Although this system may seem cut and dry to people in other professions, many teachers are concerned about potentially skewed results in urban settings and in certain key grade levels. With these systems newly emerging, the balance between accountability and best practices is paramount.

AAE members have varying opinions on teacher evaluations according to our most recent member survey. Although AAE members do not support evaluations entirely composed of student achievement, eighty percent of teachers surveyed support a value-added assessment when student test scores are used as part of teacher evaluation. Student test scores ranked higher in evaluating teacher effectiveness, second only to administrative/ faculty review.

The move toward a comprehensive teacher evaluation system is gaining steam nationwide. Make sure to follow the developments in your home state and district.

What do you think of these new systems?
Comment below.

Originally posted by Alix at AAE.

Comments (0)Add Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.

busy