Evaluations are designed to be subjective tools for the work force. In the teaching profession the evaluation tool is approved on by multiple committees: teachers, ESP's, administration, and the school board. When implemented evaluations can be constructive or destructive.
A nontenured teacher has four years to grow and develop throughout the tenure process. During the school year, the nontenured teacher should be evaluated multiple times formally and informally. School code states that nontenured teachers will receive several formal and informal evaluations. The teacher's performance is evaluated based on the established criteria. Hopefully, concerns are addressed with constructive criticism. Said teacher has a time frame to improve in the areas that were in question. Then the evaluation process begins again.
As each year passes the teacher should become stronger. Why? Because the teacher has had opportunities to grow and develop. A variety of opportunities to hone skills and tweak styles should have been provided. Hopefully, a strong leader has been provided as a mentor to assist in this growth.
I wonder why it is, that "bad" teachers get by? Is it because those who are evaluating are not trained correctly? If the tool is used correctly, does it matter who the person being evaluated is? If used correctly, the school board "should" acknowledge the expertise of the evaluator and the design of the tool? Are the administrators informing the school board of the inadequacies as they are occurring?
Why is it that many teachers are found to be unacceptable during their fourth year? Why are many asked to resign rather than be fired at the end of their fourth year?
This blog is not intended to be an attack on people. I am just curious if others have seen and or experienced this? Is it the process? These questions or concerns may not be shared by you, but I have observed this occurrence multiple times during my teaching 19 years of teaching experience.
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3 comments:
It is my opinion that the biggest issue with "poor" teachers continuing to teach is tenure. If we did not have tenure we would have the flexibility to fire ineffective teachers. If you are doing your job as a teacher, you should not be concerned about losing your job. What other business allows their employees to continue working ineffectively? And we have the most important "business", which is preparing students for the future.
What would happen, in your opinion, if DE would cease tenure altogether? Would it totally upset the apple cart? or would it be welcomed? 50/50?
In the "perfect" world, not having a tenure system would be practical. Unfortunately we don't live in a "perfect" world. What if a local superintendent, principal, school board member, etc... has a niece needing a job? Or, maybe the prospective teacher's family has been a major contributor to academic scholarships handed down by the district for years? Or, what if my perception of an excellent teacher is quite different than yours? Is it based on test results, isolated observations, classroom structure, etc..?? I'll support the tenure concept even as an administrator. It is a necessary "evil" in today's "non-perfect" world.
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