My Gosh, STOP COMPLAINING… This was the feedback I received when I brought up our outdated, insignificant, tedious observation process. I am sure many of you have heard the same thing when discussing this topic with various leaders, supervisors, local and state elected officials, and maybe even other teachers who are just tired of the topic.
Another piece of feedback I have received is that it is “impossible” to get the highest score possible across the board. Are we admitting that the goals are unattainable? Are we admitting that it is impossible to evaluate? Are we admitting there isn’t enough time?
Why is it impossible? I have been told, that when you reach the pinnacle that there is nowhere else to go but down!?!? How? If you start with a clean slate every year?
Let’s face it! Nobody really knows the truth and everyone is winging it. There is no confidence or belief in the observation system and the entire process is just a series of checkmarks based on the opinions of administrators who may or may not be applying personal biases, shortcomings, or unreasonable expectations to their scoring. Let’s also consider that there isn’t enough time to observe and evaluate evidence submitted by employees properly. I have often wondered how the evaluation grade can be used against an employee if the administrator doesn’t take the time to review the evidence submitted. (Before I continue, it is important for my readers to understand that I have never received a bad evaluation. These are just observations and assumptions based on my research.)
I have read through several research studies about my home state of North Carolina and the rubric for evaluating North Carolina teachers. Breedlove (2011) completed a study on the evaluation process during its early implementation and the findings were mostly positive. In her dissertation titled “Teacher Evaluation in North Carolina: Teacher perceptions during a time of change,” she wrote:
Beers (2006) stated
The expression “If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten” is not true regarding learning and teaching. If we continue to use the same procedures year after year, we will get less than we have always gotten. To improve, we have to find a better way…
After 15 years (Adopted in 2008) of using the same evaluation system, I wonder if the author still feels the same way about the evaluation system. It is no wonder I have heard whispers of changes coming to the evaluation system but how long must our educators wait to be adequately evaluated? How long must our students, parents, and communities wait to ensure the highest quality educational experiences are being provided for our children?
Breedlove, P. H. (2011). Teacher evaluation in North Carolina: Teacher perceptions during a time of change (Order No. 3456442). Available from Education Database. (872180685). https://ezproxy.gardner-webb.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/teacher-evaluation-north-carolina-perceptions/docview/872180685/se-2
