New York Imposes New Teacher Evaluations

On Saturday, June 2, the New York State Education Department imposed a new teacher evaluation system on New York City teachers. The controversial system evaluates teachers using multiple kinds of data, including principal observations and student test scores. Other school districts in New York had already adopted their own forms of the plan, making New York City the last school district to jump on board and comply with state law.

 

The decision to implement the teacher evaluation system did not come easily. For days, representatives from the Bloomberg administration and local teachers’ unions discussed possible evaluation plans, but could not come to an agreement. John B. King, Jr., the New York state education commissioner, brought this plan to the table to end the breakdown in negotiations. According to King, the plan benefits students the most, taking away barriers that prevent them from gaining the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in school and beyond. Mayor Michael Bloomberg agrees, saying that the decision is one that will benefit students in New York City schools for generations.

 

Students will benefit from the evaluation system because it helps guarantee they have access to the highest quality teachers. Previously in New York City, some claimed it was difficult to fire ineffective teachers and to ensure students were receiving a high quality of education in the classroom. Now, schools and the district will have a system in place for replacing underperforming teachers. Each year, teachers will be rated as highly effective, developing or ineffective, and those receiving the lowest rating for two consecutive years will face consequences.

 

Even the United Federation of Teachers supports aspects of the plan. President Michael Mulgrew noted that the plan outlines how teachers are evaluated, giving them protection should they face unjust termination and providing them with opportunities to see the areas where they need to improve. However, not all teachers are in favor of the evaluation system. Some science teachers have spoken out against regulations that punish teachers when students refuse to complete their work and fail to qualify to take important exams.

 

Others take issue with the fact that student exam scores are included in teacher evaluations, particularly in grades and subject areas where standardized exams do not currently exist. The city is working to develop different types of exams and evaluation tools for early grade levels and other subject areas, and to implement assessments that incorporate critical thinking and creative elements. Using the new system, 40 percent of a teacher’s score will be based on student scores on these assessments. The remainder of a teacher’s score will be determined by principal observations, criteria determined by the individual school and, starting in 2014, student surveys.

 

While principals play a role in the evaluation process, they are not exempt from being evaluated themselves. Observations and evaluations by superintendents and other education department officials will ensure principals are effectively running their schools and implementing the evaluation systems. This will help ensure New York City schools continue to improve.

 

Leaders such as UFT president Michael Mulgrew, recognize that the new evaluation system is not flawless. Schools will face difficulties as they begin to implement the program and as specific aspects of the program begin to take effect. However, most of those involved recognize that the evaluation system has students’ best interests at its core. Rather than continuing to rate 97 percent of New York City teachers as satisfactory, the new system will provide teachers with a comprehensive overview of their teaching abilities and provide an accurate rating. This will help ensure only the best teachers stay in the classroom and that teachers receive effective support to help them stay at the top of their game.