I've found teacher evaluations to be superficial and subjective during my career. Now a number of Nevada's districts have adopted overly complex and cumbersome evaluation programs. The Charlotte Danielson model is a prime example of wasting my time that could be better served elsewhere. I even had one principal evaluate me who never set foot in my classroom for the entire year. He asked me to just write up what I've been doing under each category. When he finally came to my class the next year, the students had no idea who he was and asked me, "Who was that old man?"
What would be an effective, relevant, and objective way to evaluate us?
Comments (3)
The evaluation process has more meaning for a person starting in the profession than any other time. It is therefore something that should be utilized in a positive manner to assist the beginning teacher improve their skills.
If the process is a tool to help a veteran teacher improve their teaching techniques, the evaluation should be conducted by someone or a group that have backgrounds in the area of curriculum in which the teacher is being evaluated. The evaluation should help identify any problem areas but also recognize areas of strength. The process should not be so rigid as to not allow for the individuality of the teacher.
Evaluations should not have to be administered on a yearly basis to veteran teachers if there is no cause for the need. After a teacher has demonstrated they have mastered their area of instruction I would think every other year or possibly every five years would be sufficient.
The process should be subjective in nature.
Posted by Jim Hayes | April 19, 2007 11:07 AM
Question , is it unethical and unfair for a principal to evaluate two teachers at the same time. One teacher is a Special Education teacher and the other Regular Education Teacher?
Posted by April Lewis | May 24, 2007 6:24 AM
It may be unethical if they aren't team teaching together all day. I know most special education teachers deal with numerous teachers, so I don't think doing a two for one evaluation would do the teacher justice.
Posted by Joe Enge | May 24, 2007 12:30 PM