(link to article at the Springfield News-Leader)
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NIXA, Mo. -- A controversial bill in Jefferson City is angering teachers and administrators in the Ozarks.
If passed, House Bill 631 would require at least 33 percent of a teacher's evaluation be based on student achievement on state tests.
Some kids are great in class, but not fantastic at taking tests. Does that mean it's the teacher's fault? That's the question being asked by educators who say they want the best for their students but also a fair teaching evaluation.
"I think it's about the political game," says Susan Hansche, 2nd grade teacher at JTSD Elementary school. She adds that the bill's sponsors -- Kevin Elmer, of Nixa, and Speaker Tim Jones -- don't have her first-hand view of how students learn.
"All kids are different," she says. "They all have different abilities. They all develop at different rates. Their standardized test scores don't measure all that."
She also says basing 33 percent of a teacher's evaluation on one test isn't a true measure of a teacher's effectiveness.
"There are tons and tons of factors that go into teacher evaluations that are bigger than snapshot standardized test scores."
"We have great teachers, but if you use the wrong measuring stick to determine how good teachers are, you'll get inaccurate results," says Superintendent Stephen Kleinsmith.
But the sponsors of the bill say teachers need to be accountable.
"We want quality educators and this is a chance for us to evaluate and help ensure that our children are getting the best teachers possible," says Rep. Kevin Elmer.
Kleinsmith isn't opposed to using test scores in the evaluations. He says each district should decide how much weight they carry.
"We need to maintain local control."
If this bill passes, some teachers will likely re-think the way they teach.
"Legislation like this and other legislation that's related that gives the impression that schools aren't doing what we need to do is frankly offensive," adds Hansche.
Other problems might include having teachers refuse to teach classes that take standardized tests.
On the other side, Representative Elmer says that 33 percent is just a minor component to the evaluation system. He says there are five or six different components and several other factors going into the evaluation.
This bill will be discussed after Easter.
1chance2learn.net is in no way affiliated with Springfield News-Leader or author Melissa Stern. In fact, we doubt they even know we exist. Please click the link above to view the original article.
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Share your thoughts:
http://facebook.com/1chance2learn
http://1chance2learn.net
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NIXA, Mo. -- A controversial bill in Jefferson City is angering teachers and administrators in the Ozarks.
If passed, House Bill 631 would require at least 33 percent of a teacher's evaluation be based on student achievement on state tests.
Some kids are great in class, but not fantastic at taking tests. Does that mean it's the teacher's fault? That's the question being asked by educators who say they want the best for their students but also a fair teaching evaluation.
"I think it's about the political game," says Susan Hansche, 2nd grade teacher at JTSD Elementary school. She adds that the bill's sponsors -- Kevin Elmer, of Nixa, and Speaker Tim Jones -- don't have her first-hand view of how students learn.
"All kids are different," she says. "They all have different abilities. They all develop at different rates. Their standardized test scores don't measure all that."
She also says basing 33 percent of a teacher's evaluation on one test isn't a true measure of a teacher's effectiveness.
"There are tons and tons of factors that go into teacher evaluations that are bigger than snapshot standardized test scores."
"We have great teachers, but if you use the wrong measuring stick to determine how good teachers are, you'll get inaccurate results," says Superintendent Stephen Kleinsmith.
But the sponsors of the bill say teachers need to be accountable.
"We want quality educators and this is a chance for us to evaluate and help ensure that our children are getting the best teachers possible," says Rep. Kevin Elmer.
Kleinsmith isn't opposed to using test scores in the evaluations. He says each district should decide how much weight they carry.
"We need to maintain local control."
If this bill passes, some teachers will likely re-think the way they teach.
"Legislation like this and other legislation that's related that gives the impression that schools aren't doing what we need to do is frankly offensive," adds Hansche.
Other problems might include having teachers refuse to teach classes that take standardized tests.
On the other side, Representative Elmer says that 33 percent is just a minor component to the evaluation system. He says there are five or six different components and several other factors going into the evaluation.
This bill will be discussed after Easter.
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