- NJASA
- 2011
Teacher Evaluation Moving in Right Direction
Posted by Dr. Rich Bozza on 7/12/2011 4:55:00 PM
The New Jersey Educator Effectiveness Task Force charged with recommending a new statewide teacher evaluation system will begin with pilot programs to determine the most effective combination of testing methods. With guidance and funding from the State, up to nine pilot districts will test the new evaluations during the 2011-12 school year.
Seeing how the assessments work in the classroom and by creating the opportunity for stakeholders to participate in the discussion allows for the creation of the most authentic, effective system for teacher assessment. This is a move in the right direction.
The Task Force, established by an executive order of the governor, was directed to establish a system that measured teachers equally on classroom performance and student achievement. The system not only would measure teacher effectiveness, it would influence decisions about school personnel policies, professional development, promotion, compensation, merit-based bonuses, tenure and reductions in force.
It’s not simply an assessment issue. These assessments are going to have powerful ramifications. They’ll determine whether a teacher gets tenure or how much s/he is paid. Therefore, NJASA hopes the Task Force is careful to consider all of the issues that affect student achievement to get a true measure of teacher effectiveness. The new assessment system is anticipated to be the centerpiece of the State’s broader agenda for teacher tenure and pay reforms.
For example, if one classroom has a number of special education students or limited English speaking students, should we rate the teachers the same on their students’ test scores? What if there is a team teaching approach? How do you credit each teacher for the performance of students? Does the influence of the second grade teacher affect the outcomes of the students taught by next year’s third grade teacher?
Clearly, there are many issues to address to get the system as effective and credible as possible. New Jersey should continue its work, but also learn from the work of the state winners of the “Race to the Top” grants where research on measurement of the impact of teacher performance on student outcomes benefits from significant resources provided by the Federal Department of Education.
Clearly, there are many issues to address to get the system as effective and credible as possible. New Jersey should continue its work, but also learn from the work of the state winners of the “Race to the Top” grants where research on measurement of the impact of teacher performance on student outcomes benefits from significant resources provided by the Federal Department of Education.
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