Georgia Teachers to be graded on student test scores

[n2doc]

By Jaime Sarrio
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Hoping to attract and keep top teachers in public schools, Georgia is changing the way educators are hired, paid and rated through a new evaluation system with far greater emphasis on student performance.

The changes are spurred by the $400 million Race to the Top grant, a program introduced by the Obama administration to jump-start school reform nationwide. Georgia won the grant in August; in return it pledged to rethink public school policy, including creating a new evaluation system for all teachers. For subjects where students take standardized tests, 50 percent of the teacher’s performance would be based on their test scores. School leaders will also be judged by test scores when the new model rolls out in 26 districts this fall.

“We strongly believe that the most important thing in a student’s education is the quality of the teacher in the classroom,” said Erin Hames, who will oversee the plan’s implementation as a deputy chief of staff for Gov.-elect Nathan Deal. “The heart of education improvement in Georgia has to be focused on the classroom and classroom teachers.”

Tim Callahan, spokesman for the 80,000-member Professional Association of Georgia Educators, said the organization is OK with making student test scores a part of evaluations, but not 50 percent. The educator-advocacy group also has concerns about the lack of teacher input and the transition to new leadership both in the governor’s office and the Department of Education.

“It has the potential to be a colossal failure,” he said. “The resources aren’t there to do the job well and do it right. It’s like we’re trying to go to the moon with a rubber band and a spit ball.”

more

http://www.ajc.com/news/teachers-to-be-graded-792562.html

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. My standard question:

What about these teachers who can't be linked to test scores:

Kindergarten

Art

Music

P.E.

Library

Counselor

ESL

No one has yet to give me an answer. Gee, does that mean they don't have one? LOL

[n2doc]

3. Article doesn't say

It does say that "For subjects where students take standardized tests, 50 percent of the teacher’s performance would be based on their test scores."

Who know how the others will be evaluated? And what the relative pay scales will be?

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. It's just so ignorant

All of those teachers contribute to the achievement of the kids they teach. So if monetary rewards are being dangled in front of teachers, it's not fair to exclude them.

[Donnachaidh]

5. PE is related to sports -- Georgia schools will fight to the death for their football

they'll cut EVERYTHING else in order to keep their grunting coaches and their football mania. EVERYTHING else does not matter.

Actually, in dealing with teachers with my son going through Georgia schools, I'm looking forward to seeing a few of the teachers who were there only to collect a paycheck get caught in this vise. I'm very much pro-teacher, but you need to show me you ARE one in the first place. And we've had to deal with more than a few benchwarmers who were there to punch a timeclock and collect benefits and pensions.

The wealthier schools already had cut so much they were begging parents to send in supplies for the offices. But they actually had a fundraising dinner and auction to pay for SPORTS EQUIPMENT.

The kids could go without paper for printers but boy howdy -- can't cut back for the grunt brigade. Gotta break out the fundraisers for the jocks. :sarcasm:

I'm so glad my kid is graduating this year. Seriously.

[madrchsod]

2. "..potential to be a colossal failure,..."

yes it will be....

[Starry Messenger]

6. I think we should be graded by phrenology readings.

It would be just as meaningful and accurate. I mean, if we're going to be assessed with pseudo-science, why not go for an old and venerable one?

[adnelson60087]

7. To Hell with Research

Pay for performance does not work. Studies have shown this but Obama and Crew ignore it. So much for "data-driven" decisions.

[jody]

9. Presidents need know how to ask the right question and how to choose the best answer

among advice from the best experts in the world with conflicting opinions.

Dubya never learned.

Will Obama before it's too late?

[adnelson60087]

11. No, he has no interest in teachers unless we are

dialing phones or canvassing neighborhoods for him. We make good cannon fodder he can offer up to the Repubs to show how "open to working together" he is. SICKENING.

[jody]

8. Wrong "most important thing in a student’s education is the quality of the teacher in the classroom"

IMO "the most important thing is the QUALITY OF THE STUDENT IN THE CLASSROOM!"

[adnelson60087]

10. The quality of student is usually a function

of family income. The more resources a family has to offer their student, the better s/he will likely perform. Dubya is an obvious anomaly.