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kwassa

(23,340 posts)
27. Teachers are evaluated, and the idea that they are not is false.
Mon Jun 18, 2012, 07:28 PM
Jun 2012

The idea that some objective system currently exists, or can possibly exist in the near future, to evaluate all teachers under a single system is pure fantasy. Most of what any teacher does is not measured, or measurable, at this time. Most curricula is not currently measured.

At this time, no reliable, and I stress that word reliable, mix of methodologies exists. If it does, it hasn't been scientifically measured yet and proven to be scientific.

Most teachers are on regular evaluation schedules. There is immense subjectivity to these evaluations. The evaluators are usually principals and vice-principals, who may or may not be expert at teaching certain content areas, or in teaching at all. My experience with a few bad principals tells me that the system is still very flawed. Schools, unlike most business operations, are like small de-centralized businesses with little oversight from the central office. This makes them like little kingdoms, subject to the whims of the leader. That is the greatest problem, and also a great argument for teachers' unions as protection from those whims.

Unless there is a massively ramped-up system for teacher evaluation utilizing both much more money and personnel, it will not happen in a responsible way. Testing right now consumes big chunks of instructional time.

And teachers rightly fear being held responsible for life circumstances of students over which they have no control, which greatly impact the student's readiness to learn in the classroom. The idea that simply improving teacher quality will overcome poverty and difficult live circumstances is the great farcical notion of the so-called reform movement.

I don't know what this case is truly about but I can tell you my son was in the Fairfax system southernyankeebelle Jun 2012 #1
It's really a sad story proud2BlibKansan Jun 2012 #2
I read the article. I think it is something personal and nothing to do with her teaching. southernyankeebelle Jun 2012 #5
My hunch from what is presented here bluestateguy Jun 2012 #3
Sounds like they had a quota proud2BlibKansan Jun 2012 #4
Exactly right. Happened in my district, too. n/t YvonneCa Jun 2012 #24
This is really depressing. Reader Rabbit Jun 2012 #6
Could be worse: could live in Wisconsin Goblinmonger Jun 2012 #7
True dat proud2BlibKansan Jun 2012 #8
There is a lot of info in the article.... rayofreason Jun 2012 #9
What degrees does she have? How long has she been teaching? Goblinmonger Jun 2012 #10
Compare to private sector? rayofreason Jun 2012 #11
Teachers do not work only 9 months proud2BlibKansan Jun 2012 #13
Fine, make it 10 months... rayofreason Jun 2012 #14
No they don't. They get to pay tuition to go to school. proud2BlibKansan Jun 2012 #15
The Bureau of Labor Statistics... rayofreason Jun 2012 #20
Well then, the Bureau of Labor Statistics... YvonneCa Jun 2012 #25
Fairfax County is the 3rd wealthiest county in the United States. The cost of living is high. kwassa Jun 2012 #16
It is quite wealthy... rayofreason Jun 2012 #19
You make a very false argument. kwassa Jun 2012 #26
it says here 2010 median household income in fairfax county = 103K & median family income = HiPointDem Jun 2012 #17
Quite true... rayofreason Jun 2012 #18
Yes, *if* two teachers started in Fairfax at age 23, and *if* they lived together or were married, HiPointDem Jun 2012 #21
My point is... rayofreason Jun 2012 #22
in fact, teachers are miserably underpaid in some states compared to their education. i quoted HiPointDem Jun 2012 #23
Teachers are evaluated, and the idea that they are not is false. kwassa Jun 2012 #27
I see that Virginia school management bastards are no different from their Texas counterparts. mbperrin Jun 2012 #12
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Education»Teacher tenure: a Fairfax...»Reply #27