Make comparisons to the Texas evaluation systems

Respond to the following post:

Brittany White
TuesdaySep 22 at 1:18pm
Hello all,

This post examines teachers and admin evaluation systems in the state of Virginia (VA).

Link to teacher evaluation system: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/performance_evaluation/teacher/index.shtml

Link to administrator evaluation system: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/performance_evaluation/superintendent/index.shtml

Examining the criteria for the two evaluations, teacher evaluation seems to consist of more demands than adminstrator evaluation. While, on the other hand, administrator evaluation appears to be more effective. Teacher evaluation consist of professional knowledge, instructional planning, instructional delivery, assessment of student learning, learning enviornment, professionalism, and student academic progress (Virginia Department of Education). In contrast, admin evaluation consist of examining mission, goals, and vision of the school, planning and assessement, organizational leadership and safety, communications,  professionalism, and student academic progress (Virginia Department of Education).

In connection to this criteria, an important detail regarding teacher evaluation is that while it consist of more criteria and thus, increases the work demands for teachers,  it does not account for factors that can affect teacher effectiveness as it should. Factors such as time, resources, inadequate administration, student body, and parental support are flaws in the evaluation process. While the state does acknolwedge this flaw in evaluations, no solutions have been proposed and evaluations remain the same in spite of this; these factors should receive special attention during evaluations. This said, I do believe that the  criteria does provide valid measures of evaluating because each element does impact teacher effectiveness — the criteria just needs to reflect school circumstances.

The administration evaluations takes into account important and necessary aspects of leadership. Unlike teacher evaluation, evaluations are adjusted in connection to school resources, community, and student population. The evaluation process appears effective in that improving instruction schoolwide and public relations receieve the most attention. Additionally, the process looks for distinguishing characteristics which I believe is an important factor for all those leading our schools. Lastly, the admin evaluation process proves to be effective by mentioning that admin vision and mission is compared to student objectives and progress.

References

Principal performance and evaluation-VDOE. Virginia Department of Education.

Teacher performance and evaluation-VDOE. Virginia Department of Education.