What are your thoughts on the new teacher evaluation model? Student progress is a new factor now. Do you feel a ton of pressure? Do you think it's fair? I don't think it's fair because so much factors in on why a student isn't learning. You shouldn't blame the teacher ( and what about ESL, Resource teachers) do they get evaluated too? Or even Special educaton? because those children have disabilities (that in some cases not all ) hinder their learning? I don't think it is fair at all... What are your thoughts?
It's rough! So much of my raise is tied to state test scores, but I teach a subject and grade that isn't tested (we have a special prep class for seniors who need to try the tests again). Much of my individual evaluation is tied to my pass rate. This is tough when I cannot get students to turn in assignments or complete assessments for me. It is, indeed, frustrating, but I deal with it as a necessary evil while doing the best I can with my individual students.
As long as it's tied only to the progress made from when they came to me to when they left I'm fine with it.
I don't care to take accountability for students progress as long as there is somebody else sharing the accountability. I don't know what they expect me to do with the kid who has parents who let her miss over half of the school year or with the kids who flat out refuse to do even the simplest of assignments. There is no place for their accountability. There are too many factors that are out of my control. I also disagreed with our old accountability system where students were compared against the previous group of students. I've had reports of inadequate progress when a group of kids made a lot of progress. They just happened to fall behind a group of excellent students. They couldn't beat their goals, but they did made great progress from where they started.
