tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14707730.post6370406550481811115..comments2024-02-24T19:49:45.687-05:00Comments on Schools Matter: Rushing Toward the Cliff While “Tweaking” the “Quirks”James Hornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04462754705431590571noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14707730.post-3073268734940944692012-02-20T20:09:19.377-05:002012-02-20T20:09:19.377-05:00Nicely written, Jim.
Evaluating qualitative work ...Nicely written, Jim.<br /><br />Evaluating qualitative work is subjective, by definition, regardless of whether quantitative metrics are inserted as labels. Yet, for many, quantization lends more credibility to the measure, and conveniently makes the subjective objective in their minds.<br /><br />Beyond the issue of objectivity, it is a shame teachers are held to such nonsensical constructs as these rubrics. No one could achieve an effective rating, in toto, in rubrics like those used in TN, especially with such a small number of observations. While these complex rubrics do a fine job portraying the enormity of expectations placed on teachers, and serve a purpose in education schools to increase teacher candidate awareness to the complexities of the field, they are woefully inappropriate for use in assessing the performance of a teacher, whether new or a veteran.<br /><br />Furthermore, how anyone in their right mind could believe that 116 different measurements could be made in one or two observations by a principal, trained evaluator, or by anyone, much less believe that they have any level of accuracy boggles my mind. And yet, this approach is touted as the gold-standard for measuring teacher effectiveness. <br /><br />I guarantee you that the approach in TN will unravel rapidly since its use will classify most teachers as ineffective, especially with principals like Mr. Ball, who believe that they must remove intelligence from the equation when evaluating teachers. As the article relays, "he felt that he had no choice but to follow the strict guidelines of the state’s complicated rubric." Puh-leeaasse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com