Look out...here come the Ed Reformers!
My rant today after information about Michigan's ever changing teacher evaluation model was released in the media...enjoy... :)
The management/evaluation issue that I believe is being faced is that schools ARE different that most businesses. Managers/Evaluators would not ding an employee because they did not complete a task/make a product if they were given the wrong, damaged or inferior materials.
*An expert computer programmer would not be fired for failing to execute html5 on a 1987 Apple IIE.
*A nurse or doctor is not fired or penalized when their diabetic patient refuses to exercise and regulate their diet.
*A master wood-worker is not fired because all that is delivered to his work station is termite infested lumber.
Sadly, the current evaluation models being pushed by education reformers are prepping districts to fire master teachers who are 'evaluated' poorly b/c test scores say they are not doing their jobs even though their students are delivered to their doorstep with socio-economic, household and basic necessity issues. Manage all you want but do not punish those educators who choose to work with the most difficult populations and in schools hardest hit by poverty. Instead, help them to work as a team to better their students lives and working environment. Build, don't break down. Cooperate and mentor, don't attack and divide. That is the evaluation model and tool we need to improve education and as a result the economy in this country.
The management/evaluation issue that I believe is being faced is that schools ARE different that most businesses. Managers/Evaluators would not ding an employee because they did not complete a task/make a product if they were given the wrong, damaged or inferior materials.
*An expert computer programmer would not be fired for failing to execute html5 on a 1987 Apple IIE.
*A nurse or doctor is not fired or penalized when their diabetic patient refuses to exercise and regulate their diet.
*A master wood-worker is not fired because all that is delivered to his work station is termite infested lumber.
Sadly, the current evaluation models being pushed by education reformers are prepping districts to fire master teachers who are 'evaluated' poorly b/c test scores say they are not doing their jobs even though their students are delivered to their doorstep with socio-economic, household and basic necessity issues. Manage all you want but do not punish those educators who choose to work with the most difficult populations and in schools hardest hit by poverty. Instead, help them to work as a team to better their students lives and working environment. Build, don't break down. Cooperate and mentor, don't attack and divide. That is the evaluation model and tool we need to improve education and as a result the economy in this country.