New Teacher Evaluation System

The new teacher evaluation system that is being implemented in Washington, D.C. is putting much more emphasis on student test scores in their evaluation. Along with the test scores teachers are also evaluated by 5 different classroom observations. I am a bit confused as to how the overall score is achieved, but this system seems very comprehensive. I think it is very important to be able to provide teachers with feedback on their teaching, not just a score or grade. Teachers should be given areas they need improvement in so they can become better teachers. I think it is interesting that this system plans on providing teachers with information on their strengths and weaknesses and also a plan for additional help if it is necessary. I think this feedback will be what helps this program succeed in evaluating teachers. If teachers are aware of specific areas they need improvement in, they will be able to provide a better classroom environment and increase the number of passing test scores. I think the details they are focusing on in these evaluations are very interesting and important, like seeing if teachers are providing lessons that speak to at least three different learning styles. It will be interesting to see if this new system of teacher evaluation will provide enough feedback for teacher improvement or if it will only serve to identify and cut teachers who are not succeeding.

Turgue, B. (2009, October 1). New d.c. teacher ratings stress better test scores. The Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/30/AR2009093004729.html?wprss=rss_education