Waltham Begins Process To Create New Teacher Evaluation Model
The Waltham Public Schools started the process to revise its current teacher evaluation system during a Wednesday, June 6 public hearing.
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The Waltham Public Schools chief is recommending the district adopt the state’s new model for evaluating teachers.
A new state law requires schools districts formulate a new evaluation system according to the state’s new model. Districts must adopt the model in its current form, create an adapted form of it, or tweak it for their own purposes, according to Superintendent Susan Nicholson.
The process to create the new system started with a Wednesday, June 6 public hearing at Waltham High School, during which nobody spoke.
Nicholson said she expects to soon begin negotiating with the Waltham Educator’s Association (the city’s teachers union) to include the model in its contract.
The model includes four ratings for teachers and administrators which are based on four standards of practice, according to Nicholson.
- The ratings are: needs improvement, unsatisfactory, proficient and exemplary.
- The four standards of practice for teachers are: professional culture, community partnerships, curriculum planning and assessment and “teaching all students.”
- The four standards of practice for administrators are: instructional leadership, management and operations, community partnerships and professional culture.
CURRENT SYSTEM
- Under current state law, teachers are required to be evaluated under a different model, which has raised concerns of it being ineffective in helping teachers improve their performance, according to the Massachusetts Teacher’s Association, the state’s largest teachers union.
Art
10:08 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Forgive me but I am not clear on what exactly is meant by the "professional culture" standard. I also am not sure how "community partnerships" are one of the teacher practice standards.
Are these true indicators of how a teacher interacts with their students in the classroom setting?
Also, instead of "teaching all students", would "teaching standards that allow all levels and cultures of students to succeed" be a better alternative description?
Your thoughts?
Art
10:36 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
On the subject of "standards of practice for administrators", I offer these suggestions / comments.
Could "communication and interaction with staff" be included. In my opinion, "professional culture" is a little vague.
I also think that management encompasses the operation and therefore is redundant.
On another note, the teacher evaluation should be listed in order:
Exemplary, Proficient, Needs Improvement, Unsatisfactory. I personally would rather not see unsatisfactory because it is punitive in nature. Needs Improvement should be sufficient. Perhaps a rubric of "Beyond Expectations", "Proficient / Effective", and Needs Improvement would be a preferrable alternative.
Your thoughts?
Ryan Grannan-Doll
10:55 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Art,
Thanks for your thoughts. After nearly two years of covering the schools, I believe they would greatly benefit from increased communication between themselves and the media. However, it has improved. Example: On the day the Kennedy student was hit by a car, Dr. Nicholson was very good about getting info to me ASAP.
Art
2:43 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Hi Ryan,
I was in no way criticizing anyone, particularly Dr. Nicholson. I just was questioning a couple of things from the proposed standards of practice vehicles for staff and administrators. My questions had absolutely NOTHING to do about communication between the schools and the media. I agree w/you that ALL parties involved with that tragic incident, including Dr. Nicholson did a very good job communicating to the public. Sorry for any misunderstanding.
Ryan Grannan-Doll
8:29 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Hi Art,
I wasn't taking your comments as a slight, I was just responding to "your thoughts" part of your comments. Have a great weekend.