Relevant teacher evaluation data . . .

On the National School Board Association site I learned about a new teacher evaluation study done by their Center for Public Education.  The study, “Trends in Teacher Evaluation: How States are Measuring Teacher Performance,” provides an overview of teacher evaluation systems in each state.  I found it informative and especially relevant as we get closer to the next legislative session and the issues legislators will face in responding to the federal education department's at risk waiver letter.

I like the charts that identify decisions that states have made related for example to the use of student achievement data in teacher evaluation.  Below, we see the model being used in each state to link student achievement data to the evaluation and find out why Washington is in jeopardy of losing the waiver.  The current practice in our state gives each district the autonomy to determine what achievement data will be used and how it will be used.

 Putting the above information together with the following chart on the percentage of the evaluation determined by student achievement data captures the dilemma we are in.  Twenty-three states require or recommend that 50% of the evaluation be based on student achievement data while in Washington there is no required or recommended weight.

The status of teacher evaluation in our state must change for the state to be successful in maintaining the waiver for NCLB.  The areas where that change must take place are found in these two charts of current practice.  Another interesting chart to me is the one below that shows how the data is used in personnel decisions in each state.  In our state at this time it can be used in teacher placement decisions.  The big question is when that status might change to include other potential personnel decisions.