Annie
Diamond Member
- Nov 22, 2003
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I do not side with the CTU, my proximity to Chicago has led me to be in dozens of workshops with CPS teachers. The thing about teacher workshops, inevitably one is forced into 'work groups.' Some of those teachers are great, could easily be in suburban schools with 'easier' students. However most of the CPS teachers sign into the workshops, then head out to do whatever, coming in for the last period of time, to sign out and get credit for the workshop. Oh there's always the whiners that say, 'the workshop isn't telling me anything I don't know.' That may be, however there's little evidence that they are practicing what they do 'know'.
On the other hand, the proposed methodology of assessing teachers heavily weighted on student performance regarding standardized testing is wrong on multiple levels:
*Most standardized testing is now taking place in late September, early October. The teacher is being rated on students actual performance from previous year.
*Even if the above wasn't an issue, classes are skewed. Some high, some low, most are average; except in areas of skewed low income. The last are mostly found in urban and rural districts. Better measure would be beginning of year and end of year assessments. How much did the students improve? It may be the 'class avg' is below grade level, but the average student improved by 2 grades.
*The formula being proposed encourages not just teaching to the test, indeed cheating on those same tests.
On the other hand, the proposed methodology of assessing teachers heavily weighted on student performance regarding standardized testing is wrong on multiple levels:
*Most standardized testing is now taking place in late September, early October. The teacher is being rated on students actual performance from previous year.
*Even if the above wasn't an issue, classes are skewed. Some high, some low, most are average; except in areas of skewed low income. The last are mostly found in urban and rural districts. Better measure would be beginning of year and end of year assessments. How much did the students improve? It may be the 'class avg' is below grade level, but the average student improved by 2 grades.
*The formula being proposed encourages not just teaching to the test, indeed cheating on those same tests.