States are working furiously to create a teacher evaluation document that satisfies NCLB so that they can receive the coveted waiver from the federal government. Tying teacher effectiveness to arbitrary measures of evaluation, standardized testing results, is nothing more than another way to intimidate and harass teachers into following the rules instead of teaching children.
Teachers can simply video their teaching performance, the principal would review the video in the case of a tenured teacher and the vice-principal if the teacher is non-tenured.
If, after the review, the principal or vice-principal deems that the teacher’s work was less than Highly Proficient a formal review board consisting of the principal, teacher, Zone Chief, and Union Representative review the video together with the principal pointing out those areas in which the teacher is seen to show less than highly proficient ability.
The teacher can provide a rationale for those areas of work in question, at the time of the formal review or in writing within a specific time frame worked out in negotiations.
If the rationale given does not satisfy the concerns of the principal and the Zone Chief and Union Rep agree that the need exists, the teacher must seek out professional development opportunities that address the specific areas of lack in performance.
Once the teacher shows that PD’s addressing the areas of concern have been completed, a second evaluation is taped. If the areas of concern have been alleviated, the teacher will receive a rating of “Highly Proficient – With Approval”.
Throughout the school year, the principal and/or vice-principal will be able to make informal visits to the classroom to chart instructional progress and classroom management.
Simple, non-intrusive, comprehensive, informative, guiding, positive, evaluation that holds everyone accountable for the part they play in the education of the child.
The evaluation of a teacher’s ability to effectively deliver instruction should not be measured by a student’s ability or desire to incorporate that instruction into their schema. There is no doubt that they should be held accountable, but not for the actions of others.
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