The Mercury News reported this morning that San Jose Unified is working on a contract that revolutionizes the way teachers are evaluated. It creates a "teacher quality panel", and puts some real teeth in the teacher evaluation process. The new evals include things like peer and student feedback, as well as standardized test scores as a component. The agreement also provides for increased compensation at the top end of the scale, as well as various other "carrots" for successful evaluations.
The agreement is a huge deal because teachers unions general have a reputation as obstructing progress in this area. I'm excited to see a local school district taking bold steps to re-examine how they work together.
I've made it no secret that I'd like to revamp the way we evaluate teachers. Mostly, when I look at this framework, I see a possibility of developing greater trust between administration and staff. The entire profession is helped when we can effectively coach and correct those who under perform, and it is also helped when we recognize those who are really making a difference.
At Monday's Board meeting, we had a free-ranging discussion about teacher compensation. Frankly, it has been a long time since we gave any sort of across-the-board raise to teachers and staff. I think that our staff was excited to hear us discuss the possibility, and I think that those in attendance understood that we want to ensure we have a win:win goal in mind. We've given some ideas to those working in the negotiation, and we're still collecting competitive data. For myself, I'd like to see us stretch the salary schedule out a bit, and create some sort of flexible pay scenario. It could take a lot of forms, but I'm really excited that we're talking about something other than a simple "win/ loss" negotiation.
Showing posts with label evaluations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label evaluations. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Teacher Evaluations
I'm a very data-driven person, though, and I like using data to help improve outcomes. In my professional life at a subscription billing company, we process over $2B/ year in credit card transactions. One of the things my team does is deeply analyze that data to increase revenues for our clients. I believe we should bring that same discipline to how we deliver education for students.
Let me start by saying that I think we have some incredibly talented and hardworking teachers. I start there, because any time you talk about evaluations in public education, people think that the discussion is only about chasing out "bad teachers". In our case, I'm most interested in recognizing what works. Different teachers have different techniques. Our district already analyzes test data to help improve instruction in this way. To me, the next logical step is to use that same data as part of the evaluation process. The primary function of a teacher is to help a student learn. If we have data that shows they are doing this well, it seems only natural to me to use that data in the teacher's evaluatoin.
There is a bill in Sacramento right now, though, that is trying to make this whole process harder. AB5 seeks to unwind the use of test data in teacher evaluations. This flies against the national trend, and in my mind, flies against common sense. There is a good editorial in the LA Times that discusses the issue. Have a read, and if you are so inclined, reach out to Sacramento (Senator Joe Simitian, Assemblyman Rich Gordon) and let them know that this is a step backwards for our kids.
Let me start by saying that I think we have some incredibly talented and hardworking teachers. I start there, because any time you talk about evaluations in public education, people think that the discussion is only about chasing out "bad teachers". In our case, I'm most interested in recognizing what works. Different teachers have different techniques. Our district already analyzes test data to help improve instruction in this way. To me, the next logical step is to use that same data as part of the evaluation process. The primary function of a teacher is to help a student learn. If we have data that shows they are doing this well, it seems only natural to me to use that data in the teacher's evaluatoin.
There is a bill in Sacramento right now, though, that is trying to make this whole process harder. AB5 seeks to unwind the use of test data in teacher evaluations. This flies against the national trend, and in my mind, flies against common sense. There is a good editorial in the LA Times that discusses the issue. Have a read, and if you are so inclined, reach out to Sacramento (Senator Joe Simitian, Assemblyman Rich Gordon) and let them know that this is a step backwards for our kids.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Way to go, Joe
SB19 passed this weekend, for which we should all be grateful.
SB19 unwound a previous bad law that was hurting every public education student in California. Some time ago, we wrote into law a "firewall" that prohibited using test scores to evaluate teacher performance. I won't debate why the law passed, but I will say plainly that I'm pleased it was repealed.
There are two big wins here. One is financial. The Obama administration has earmarked $4.5B for improving schools. One of the specific requirements to be eligible for that funding was -- you guessed it -- that the recipients had to permit the use of test scores in teacher evaluation. Even if it were only for mercenary reasons, it was a good idea to pass this law. The State of California simply can't afford not to be eligible for this funding.
The second reason this is good news is just plain common sense. Evaluating employees can be very difficult. Just because something is difficult doesn't mean you shouldn't try, though. In private industry, good companies devote tremendous effort to understanding who is contributing, who isn't making the grade, and what we can do to help those who are struggling to learn from those who are stars. Teaching is on of the most important professions. Wouldn't it stand to reason that we want to use every tool available to figure out who is doing well and who needs more coaching?
To be clear, I don't think test scores should be the be-all, end-all for evaluations. It should only be a piece of the puzzle. Still, this opens the door for a meaningful dialogue to evaluate employees on the basis of quantifiable data along side the more subjective observations. Thank goodness for common sense.
SB19 unwound a previous bad law that was hurting every public education student in California. Some time ago, we wrote into law a "firewall" that prohibited using test scores to evaluate teacher performance. I won't debate why the law passed, but I will say plainly that I'm pleased it was repealed.
There are two big wins here. One is financial. The Obama administration has earmarked $4.5B for improving schools. One of the specific requirements to be eligible for that funding was -- you guessed it -- that the recipients had to permit the use of test scores in teacher evaluation. Even if it were only for mercenary reasons, it was a good idea to pass this law. The State of California simply can't afford not to be eligible for this funding.
The second reason this is good news is just plain common sense. Evaluating employees can be very difficult. Just because something is difficult doesn't mean you shouldn't try, though. In private industry, good companies devote tremendous effort to understanding who is contributing, who isn't making the grade, and what we can do to help those who are struggling to learn from those who are stars. Teaching is on of the most important professions. Wouldn't it stand to reason that we want to use every tool available to figure out who is doing well and who needs more coaching?
To be clear, I don't think test scores should be the be-all, end-all for evaluations. It should only be a piece of the puzzle. Still, this opens the door for a meaningful dialogue to evaluate employees on the basis of quantifiable data along side the more subjective observations. Thank goodness for common sense.
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