As part of his education reform plan, Governor Tom Corbett has proposed overhauling the current teacher evaluation system for a new one. In conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Gov. Corbett recently launched a new state-wide pilot program that is being tested in 100 school districts. The pilot program takes the current two-tiered teacher evaluation system to a four-tiered system. Instead of teachers receiving a rating of satisfactory or unsatisfactory, the new criteria are expanded to four categories: distinguished, proficient, needs improvement or failing.
Additionally, Pennsylvania State Representative Aument has introduced legislation, House Bill 1980, that closely mirrors the Governor’s pilot program. As currently written, beginning the 2013-2014 school year, evaluation of the effectiveness of classroom teachers will be based on planning and preparation, classroom environment, instruction, professional responsibilities and student performance. Student performance will comprise 50 percent of the teacher’s rating and will be based on, but not limited to, statewide assessments and standardized tests. Other student advancement measurements will be utilized for educators teaching subjects and grade levels not measured by current assessments.
KEYTA’s goal is to ensure that passage of any new teacher assessment program is fair and balanced. We will continue to monitor this legislation and work members of the General Assembly and the Governor’s office to ensure that our member’s views on such a plan are voiced.
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