Improving Teaching: What’s Evaluation Got to Do with It?

A debate* over the methods and purpose of teaching evaluation has been roiling in the national and many local media for months. In New York as elsewhere, the media have largely focused on the points of dispute and the contentious use of value-added measures as a means of “weeding out” ineffective teachers. But in New York – City and State – the issue is far more complex.  On March 15, the New York Legislature passed a revised system for principal and teacher evaluation, which does use student test scores on state tests as a measure of teacher performance.  But, the New York system is based on multiple measures, and every school district has the authority to determine which measures to use for 80% of the assessment.

 

New York City has been piloting use of the Danielson framework has a key component of the multiple measure – training teachers, principals, and other observers to use it. City and State education leaders believe use of the framework will improve classroom teaching. This discussion between Charlotte Danielson and Kirsten Busch Johnson will show you why, how, and what the challenges are.