Are You 'For' or 'Against' Academic Tenure?

[EdEd]

Originally Posted by czacza

Again, I'm for tenure. Tenure DOESN'T MEAN A job for life, just requires a specific protocol to be followed for getting rid of an ineffective teacher. Most of the new evaluative protocols (Marshall et al) deal with ineffectiveness.

Musevine #15. Are you currently teaching, how much experience do you have? Some wines age to their full potential, others turn to vinegar. Do you be enough experience to know which you will be? Are you in a position to judge? Is anyone?

Like most things, it's probably a matter of definitions, so I'd be with you in supporting tenure if clear and efficient procedures were in place to let go of ineffective teachers.

[czacza]

Originally Posted by EdEd

Like most things, it's probably a matter of definitions, so I'd be with you in supporting tenure if clear and efficient procedures were in place to let go of ineffective teachers.

What are your state/district practices for evaluating teacher effectiveness?

[EdEd]

Originally Posted by czacza

What are your state/district practices for evaluating teacher effectiveness?

I'm actually in the private sector now, but to my knowledge it's a portfolio-based assessment that includes a variety of work samples, some of which includes achievement data, as well as observations, etc. To my knowledge year-end test scores aren't being used.

I think my major concern is a variety of teachers continue to remain in the system when they shouldn't, despite complicated evaluation procedures. It seems that most folks - administrators and teachers - feel that the assessments are simply a formality that must be done right so that the "powers that be" are satisfied. There seems to be little motivation to engage in authentic evaluation that is either helpful to teachers or that actually results in real accountability.