Test score makes the teacher? Maybe, at LAUSD

[proud2BlibKansan]

Los Angeles Unified officials took a big step forward Tuesday toward launching a new controversial method to evaluate teachers based on the performance of their students. | "LAUSD votes to wait on consultants' contracts"

The school board approved two consultant contracts to study and develop the new teacher evaluation method, with a combined cost of up to $4.5 million.

One consultant will develop ways to evaluate teachers based on the test performance of their students over time, called the "value-added" method. The other will help develop new guidelines and "best practices" for teachers.

The value-added method compares student performance from one year to the next to evaluate a teacher's abilities. It has been sharply criticized by some union leaders and experts as flawed and unfair, but applauded by others, including President Barack Obama.

more . . . http://www.dailynews.com/education/ci_16567282

[Reader Rabbit]

1. $4.5 million consultant contracts

How many classroom supplies could that have purchased? How much could it have reduced class sizes? How might teachers have been able to use a little extra money to supplement learning materials in their classrooms?

I still don't understand how anyone thinks this test score, teacher "accountability" movement is anything but a scam designed by opportunists to milk every last dollar they can out of public education funds.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. I noticed that as well

We've had several threads here criticizing the new high school built in LA for its extravagance. I wonder how those critics feel about this expenditure?

[LWolf]

3. I spent 5 hours today in a meeting focused on

VAM in our district. It was draining. I'll post something about it tomorrow.

I think it's coming, and coming fast, to districts all over the nation. :(

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. We had our meeting yesterday

I officially don't care. When called upon for my bad attitude, I said "I teach special ed. Hello. My students are wonderful and I love them dearly but they will NEVER earn me a raise. So officially, I don't care about this stupid merit pay plan."

[Starry Messenger]

5. And where are all the people

who say teachers are too highly paid? You'd think 4.5 million for consultants would raise some eyebrows among the masses who want "accountability" for their tax money.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. They're freakin out over the gazillion dollar high school

[Starry Messenger]

7. I never see them in any of unhappycamper's threads about Pentagon toys

Isn't that odd? 2 billion dollar battleships are fine, I guess. God forbid we should invest in nice things for students.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. While we have to beg for paper