I honestly think too many people here make knee-jerk assumptions about articles such as this which malign the idea of using student test scores to determine teacher effectiveness. As someone who has experience with this issue, basing a teacher’s effectiveness on the scores of tests taken by students who show up to class maybe 50% of the grading period, play on cell phones all period because the administration doesn’t back teachers when teachers try to curb the use of cell phones in class, complete maybe 1/4 of the work assigned to them in class (without even being given HOMEWORK to do), and who can’t contribute to any discussions had during class as none of them read even a letter of the assigned readings, is tantamount to judging a Parks and Recreation department on the refuse a concert-going crowd leaves on the ground over the course of the event, even though many trash cans and “Do Not Litter” signs are posted throughout the venue.
Try employing some of that vaunted “Conservative critical thinking” here and realize that this situation is not as simple as it may seem on the surface...
Well said.
Good post. I have experience too, and would propose that teachers be hired every year based on a value to the school that is determined by a combination of many factors.
1. Tests of students need to be administered at least twice so that a teacher gets tested on learning on the average and not on the basis of having a class of high achievers while some other teacher gets stuck with the class described in your post.
2. Rating by parents and students after the class has been finished
3. Ratings by administrators
4. Demand for the teacher during enrollment
5. Scores on teacher proficiency exams given periodically
6. Rates of continuation for classes that are elective — for example does a student take more math than is required to graduate? This may reflect on the performance of the math department.
If all teachers were subject to the above rehire policy, then schools would weed out poor performers and of course the Union would also be gone.
Under this policy, teachers would be treated like the professionals we want them to be, and good teachers would improve student standard test scores.
And one final note, students should be permitted to enroll in any school in town with tax money on a percentage basis going to the school from the community — yes, like a voucher system. This is the ultimate in teacher assessment.
An excellent post.