Rating Teacher Performance with Value-Added Analysis

[rcweir]

Really interesting article, first of a series, in the L.A. Times reporting what they were able to do with information from public records requests. Although their teachers union is in a frenzy, shooting the messenger by calling for a boycott of the newspaper, I suspect this is how all teachers will be rated soon.

[Tony1941]

Really interesting article, first of a series, in the [URL="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-teachers-value-20100815,0,2695044.story?page=1"]

I suspect this is how all teachers will be rated soon.

You grossly underestimate the power of the entrenched individuals. I refer to Jaime Escalante.
Please note that Mr. Escalante was recognized by POTUS Reagan.

There are also examples in Chicago where a principal turned a school around and in New York city.

Back in 1981, the Westford Test & Curriculum Coordinator did a bivariate analysis using IQ tests and Iowas test of basic skills test scores has the variables. The answers upset many of the elite in town. Robinson school (progressive curriculum) with the best facilities, etc. ranked last.
Frost, Cameron, Sargent and Nabnasset performed as expected or exceeded expectations.
Frost, Cameron and Sargent were old wooden buildings with no library, cafeteria,gym, etc.
They were staffed by old time religion teachers led by Mrs Rita Miller.
The next budget cycle the position of TCC was not funded by the Westford School Committee.

Are there good teachers in the Westford School System?
Yes

Does the Westford School System have bad teachers?
Yes

Does the Westford School System have a method to identify bad teachers?
No

Does the School Committee have the intestinal fortitude to implement a teacher evaluation protocol along with Merit Pay and dismissal of under performing teachers?
Call School Committee members and ask them the above questions and request that they make their positions public.

[rcweir]

The beauty of the L.A. approach is that this was done with data retrieved under public records requests. The district wasn't interested/willing to do the analysis themselves. Head in the sand. But with access to the data, the papers were able to do this analysis. That's why I think this approach will spread, because it doesn't depend on the districts to do it.

But point well taken on whether incompetency or even sub-par performance has consequences. It doesn't. For example, I've read that in NYC more teachers have been fired for assault with a deadly weapon than for poor performance. By the same mechanism truly exceptional teachers are underpaid relative to their performance, and that isn't fair either.

[Robo]

Does the School Committee have the intestinal fortitude to implement a teacher evaluation protocol along with Merit Pay and dismissal of under performing teachers?
Call School Committee members and ask them the above questions and request that they make their positions public.

Very interesting article and I agree that teachers and administrators jobs and pay should be dependent on job performance just like it is in the private sector.

Does the School Committee really need to drive this change? The administrators are responsible for hiring and firing with the exception of the Superintendent (whom is appointed by the SC). If we had strong support for this from the Super. then I believe it would happen. This administration would rather keep their heads in the sand about any problems.

[Tony1941]

Very interesting article and I agree that teachers and administrators jobs and pay should be dependent on job performance just like it is in the private sector.

Westford administrators from 1984 to 1988 were on a merit contract. Unfortunately, the efforts of the Supt. of Schools, who was politically allied with the President of the WEA, plus the backing of the Chairman of the SC, who was on the MTA state board, did away with Unit B merit in 1989. As a member of the SC, 1983 to 1987, I was there so the previous statement is not hearsay, innuendo, etc..

Does the School Committee really need to drive this change? The administrators are responsible for hiring and firing with the exception of the Superintendent (whom is appointed by the SC). If we had strong support for this from the Super. then I believe it would happen. This administration would rather keep their heads in the sand about any problems.

The SC is elected to dictate policy.

If you have ever run for public office, you will understand that the person who speaks the truth and proposes change, seldom gets elected.

It takes money, sweat power and serious campaigning to win a contested election.
The LWV states that "Politics is not an spectator sport." IMHO. they are right. Unfortunately, there many more spectators than active participants. Consider that Westford has over 14,000 registered voters and less than 350(~2.5%) attend ATM and less than 20% vote in contested town elections. Many positions are uncontested.

Any administrator including superintendents test the political wind direction before they spouse a position. I do not blame them, it is their livelihood that it is at risk just like in corporations.

PS Did you follow the Escalante link? It is not a movie script, the movie was based on real life.

[Tony1941]

The beauty of the L.A. approach is that this was done with data retrieved under public records requests. The district wasn't interested/willing to do the analysis themselves. Head in the sand. But with access to the data, the papers were able to do this analysis. That's why I think this approach will spread, because it doesn't depend on the districts to do it.

I suggest that you read a "Nation at Risk" published in 1983. Got a lot of favorable press until the entrenched powers turned up the volume. After thirty seven years and trillions of dollars in expenditures , the same problems exists and third world countries are providing their students with superior educational environments that lead superior performance in International tests as the PISA tests.

The American populace cares more about the use of the N word (How Come the S and W words do not get the same status?) than caring about the educational environments (school, home, community,..) that are provided for their children.

[Robo]

Any administrator including superintendents test the political wind direction before they spouse a position. I do not blame them, it is their livelihood that it is at risk just like in corporations.

PS Did you follow the Escalante link? It is not a movie script, the movie was based on real life.

I expect more from our senior administrators who often refer to themselves as "leaders". True leaders, like Escalante, will do what is right and are not solely focused on what is politically expedient for their careers.