Reforming Teacher Evaluation Through Collaboration

By Brenda Alvarez Some critics of America’s public schools say teachers don’t want to be held accountable for the challenges of struggling schools. Not true. In fact, teachers demand to be held accountable and they’re the first to say, “The status quo must go,” in education. But they want it done, fairly, realistically, and with [...]

Reaching the Summit of Teaching is a Challenge

By John Rosales NEA President Dennis Van Roekel stressed the need to boost teacher recruitment and training, and to use multiple measures in evaluating teachers, during a panel discussion Monday held in conjunction with the second annual Education Nation Summit in New York City. At the week-long event which started Sunday, parents, educators and students [...]

Defining Excellence: Lawmakers Discuss Teacher Evaluation

by Rebecca Bright An effective teacher is one of the most important in-class factor of student success. This sentiment was echoed again and again by witnesses and members of Congress Wednesday during a hearing in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. But the discussion reflected longstanding debate on the qualities that define a [...]

Should Students Grade Their Teachers?

By Cindy Long Educators curious about what their students think of them can log on to RateMyTeachers.com where teachers are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 in the categories of Clarity, Helpfulness, Popularity, and (controversially) “Easiness.” They can also fill in a comments box, where remarks range from positive and constructive to downright [...]

New Guidelines on Teacher Evaluation and Accountability Approved at 2011 RA

By Tim Walker On Monday, the 8,000 delegates to the 2011 National Education Association Representative Assembly voted to adopt the NEA’s policy statement that revamps teacher evaluation and accountability. The development, implementation, and enforcement of high-quality teacher evaluation and accountability are top priorities for NEA and its affiliates. NEA President Dennis Van Roekel believes the new [...]

How Should Teachers Be Evaluated? Let’s Ask Teachers

By Kevin Hart Whether you’re chatting at the local barber shop or watching your favorite cable news program, everyone seems to have ideas about how teachers should be evaluated and paid. But one group that never seems to be asked for its opinion on this critical issue is the teachers themselves. It’s a damaging omission, [...]