The Logic Model Workshop Toolkit is designed to help practitioners learn the purpose of logic models, the different elements of a logic model, and the appropriate steps for developing and using a logic model for program evaluation. Topics covered in the sessions include an overview of logic models, the elements of a logic model, an introduction to…

For well over a decade, teachers have been recognized as the single most important school-level factor influencing student achievement (Darling-Hammond, 2000; McCaffrey, Lockwood, Koretz, & Hamilton, 2003; Rivkin, Hanushek, & Kain, 2000; Rowan, Correnti & Miller, 2002; Wright, Horn, & Sanders, 1997). Tremendous public resources…

In the report "From Good to Great: Exemplary Teachers Share Perspectives on Increasing Teacher Effectiveness across the Career Continuum," (See full report in ERIC at ED555657) National and State Teachers of the Year shared their views on what helped them become great teachers. This accompanying "Discussion Starter Tool" builds…

Outlines a career ladder program developed in the Provo (Utah) School District to identify and train teacher leaders. (MD)

Each school district in the state of Florida was required to submit for approval a model for implementing the Beginning Teacher Program mandated by the Florida legislature. The program model required that a support staff, consisting of a peer teacher, building-level administrator, and at least one other professional educator be assigned to assist…

To help schools and districts in their efforts to create more productive and effective learning environments, Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) researchers developed the School Practices Survey, a tool districts and schools can use to assess teachers, administrators, and others in the school community regarding their…

The Teacher Quality Assurance Program, an integral part of the Houston, Texas, Plan for Excellence, addresses renewal and professional growth opportunities for current staff. The program is administered by a bi- or tri-dimensional assessment team that may consist of the principal, an instructional supervisor, and the associate and/or deputy…

Peer evaluation has great potential as a method of improving classroom instruction and enhancing the self-esteem and professional growth of teachers. The peer evaluation format would be more formative than summative and might include team teaching, videotaping, and reflective teaching--a carefully structured method of peer teaching. (JHZ)

This book describes effective ways for principals and teachers to work together for the teachers' growth and the ultimate benefit of students' learning. It provides a solid philosophical foundation for changes in teacher evaluation and staff development, and it analyzes past and current methods and trends in teacher evaluation. The book spells out…

Faculty growth contracts are a viable way to define faculty ideas, chart the direction of professional growth, and assess teacher performance. Each contract includes a statement of yearly goals, means for accomplishing those goals, and a budget request. Guidelines are provided for implementing a faculty growth contract program. (TE)

Use of portfolios as a tool for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teacher development and evaluation, using principles and practices borrowed from portfolio use to assess learner progress, is advocated. The origins of portfolios in art and other professions and their adaptation for teaching are outlined. The structure of such a portfolio is then…

The "Career Ladder Technical Manual: A Guide To Interpreting Your Scores. Teacher Edition, 1986," of the Tennessee Career Ladder Evaluation System, is reviewed. Intended as a guide for the teacher candidate to interpreting test scores, the manual explains the score report for a lay audience. Raw scores and standard scores are explained.…

This report argues a case for the use of professional teaching portfolios by educators in higher education, advances a point of view about portfolio issues, and offers examples of portfolio entries. A work-sample-plus-reflection model is presented as a guide for what might be included in a portfolio and why it might be used at a particular campus.…

This manual describes a training program for teacher evaluation. The purpose of the program is to provide educators who evaluate classroom instruction with the tools that result in professional growth for the teachers and improvement of classroom instruction. Joint participation by teachers and administrators is encouraged in all phases of the…

To make merit-pay plans work, a district's teacher-evaluation system must be both summative and formative--evaluating both for teacher outcomes and for progressive improvement. Only peer-mediated self-appraisal systems seem able to meet such a challenge. Fairly rewarded merit-pay plans depend on accurate teacher evaluations. However, teacher…