Defensible Teacher Evaluation

Providing strategies for the development and implementation of classroom assessment systems, this book explores using evidence of student achievement in the evaluation of teacher performance.

Meaningful teacher evaluation starts with visible student growth Annual standardized test scores cannot provide evidence of student growth needed to evaluate teacher performance. But consider student growth in the form of evidence derived from classroom assessment and you’re on to something. For assessment expert Rick Stiggins, this can form the basis for a truly productive teacher evaluation strategy. This revolutionary book helps you bring classroom assessment to bear for real school improvement, with A plan for teacher evaluation based, in part, on dependable evidence of student growth Strategies for improving the assessment literacy of teachers and school leaders Five steps for developing and implementing productive local district assessment systems Practical tools that teachers and their evaluators can put to use immediately In this era of aggressive teacher evaluation reform, where teachers are charged with preparing ALL students to master 21st century proficiencies, the measurement of teacher success must start where learning happens—in the classroom. "Developing a fair, practical, and effective teacher evaluation system is like climbing a high mountain: it’s impossible until someone finds a route. That’s what Rick does in this book. He identifies the immense challenges associated with using evidence on student learning as the principal criteria in teacher evaluation and then offers practical guidance for overcoming those challenges. He hasn’t made the climb easy, but he shows us the way." —Thomas R. Guskey, Professor of Educational Psychology University of Kentucky "Rick Stiggins builds a compelling case for the development of a solid foundation of assessment competence throughout our educational system." —Linda Darling-Hammond, Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education Stanford University

What's wrong with today's teacher-evaluation systems-and how to improve them Unsound teacher evaluation practices lead to misinformed decisions regarding strategies for student learning, resulting in negative effects to students. Education measurement and evaluation expert W. James Popham critiques what is wrong with many existing teacher-evaluation systems and offers an alternate system that respects the professionalism and dignity of teachers. Popham argues that, because teaching is a very situation- specific profession, the use of any paint-by-numbers, one- size-fits-all teacher evaluation system is patently absurd. Rather, the only defensible approach to teacher evaluation is to base it on collegial judgment, that is, on the evaluative conclusions of experienced teachers who have been specifically trained and formally certified to carry out this function. This book discusses: Key strengths and weaknesses of prominent teacher-evaluation evidence How to improve a flawed teacher-evaluation program The merits of a teacher evaluation program based on "evidence-governed collegial judgment

This handbook advocates a new approach to teacher evaluation as a cooperative effort undertaken by a group of professionals. Part 1 describes the need for changed teacher evaluation, and part 2 outlines ways to use multiple data sources, including student and parent reports, peer review of materials, student achievement results, teacher tests, documentation of professional activity, systematic observation, and administrator reports, as well as discussions of the teacher as curriculum designer and data sources to avoid. Part 3 describes tools for improved teacher evaluation, and the evaluation of other educators is outlined in part 4. School district responsibilities and activities are described in part 5. This edition adds new chapters on: (1) the role of the principal in changed teacher evaluation; (2) how districts can transform current practice; (3) use of national standards; (4) developments in using student achievement data; and (5) the development of sociologically sophisticated teacher evaluation systems. Emphasis is placed on the use of the Internet as a resource and other new resources for local development. A list of legal cases cited is included. (Contains 343 references.) (SLD)

Enrich the quality of teaching and learning in your school with meaningful teacher evaluations! This is the essential guide for principals who want to improve the teacher evaluation process, develop highly qualified teachers, and improve student achievement levels in their schools. This "hands-on," practical handbook provides principals with specific strategies, including: Using the best objective evidence available Putting the teacher at the center of the process Using multiple data sources which vary by individual teacher Incorporating student achievement data Inspiring ongoing teacher reflection and analysis

This book discusses teacher evaluation and how it can provide the foundations for professional development. The editors and contributors illustrate how teachers with varying levels of expertise, experience and learning needs can benefit from differentiated evaluation and professional development designed to help them reach their full potential. The book examines various aspects of differentiation including levels of experience from pre-service to veteran, practices of school principals as they supervise and evaluate staff, and wider education policies that can support or hinder differentiation. Providing fascinating insights into how teacher evaluation policies can support practice in a variety of contexts, this timely collection will be of interest and value to students and scholars of teacher evaluation and professional development.

Teacher Evaluation: Guide to Professional Practice is organized around four dominant, interrelated core issues: professional standards, a guide to applying the Joint Committee's Standards, ten alternative models for the evaluation of teacher performance, and an analysis of these selected models. The book draws heavily on research and development conducted by the Federally funded national Center for Research on Educational Accountability and Teacher Evaluation (CREATE). The reader will come to grasp the essence of sound teacher evaluation and will be able to apply its principles, facts, ideas, processes, and procedures. Finally, the book invites and assists school professionals and other readers to examine the latest developments in teacher evaluation.

When teacher evaluations are fair, everyone wins. Poor evaluation systems don’t just hurt teachers—they hurt students, too. That’s why America can’t afford to wait for the teacher-evaluation problem to be solved. To provide balanced, accurate, and rigorous evaluations that take into account each teacher’s particular circumstances, only one system can work: evidence-governed collegial judgment. This book includes: A discussion of common evaluation systems, including testing, value-added models, and observations Analysis of federal guidelines and state responses Action steps teachers and school leaders can take to influence policy A clear rationale and strategies for implementing a teacher evaluation model based on human judgment