The push for accountability in public schooling has extended to the measurement of teacher performance, accelerated by federal efforts through Race to the Top. Currently, a large number of states and districts across the country are computing measures of teacher performance based on the standardized test scores of their students and using them in…

An investigation was undertaken into how a process involving peer review and observation of teaching can be used to enhance academics' teaching practices and inform professional development activities at an organization level. We describe an innovative and highly structured approach to gathering evidence of pedagogic practice from academic…

This report presents the value-added models that will be used to measure school and teacher effectiveness in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) in the 2010-2011 school year. It updates the earlier technical report, "Measuring Value Added for IMPACT and TEAM in DC Public Schools." The earlier report described the methods used…

Researchers have raised a number of questions about whether student achievement data can be used fairly or accurately for purposes of teacher evaluation. Others have noted that achievement data alone cannot provide teachers with the information they need to improve their practice. Recognizing these limitations, the federal government and many…

This policy brief examines standards-based approaches that hold promise for shaping a common vision of skilled teaching commensurate with the national goal of preparing all students for college and careers. Numerous studies confirm that teachers are the most significant school-based factor in improving student achievement, particularly for the…

Teacher Work Samples (TWS) can be viewed in terms of a product and a process. As a product, the TWS measures a teacher candidate's (TC's) ability to promote student achievement, documents that TCs have met minimum national standards, and validates teacher education programs. Teacher candidates engage in observable, job-related behaviors that serve…

Peer Assistance and Review (PAR), a program in which Consulting Teachers (CTs) provide support for and then evaluate their peers, requires a unique labor-management collaboration because it brings together members of the teachers union and administration to focus on improving teacher quality. PAR requires that CTs and principals share evaluation…

Status quo approaches to teacher evaluation have recently come under increasing criticism. They typically assign most teachers the highest available score, provide minimal feedback for improvement, and have little connection with student achievement growth and the quality of instruction that leads to higher student growth. A more comprehensive…

Describes a $50 million research and development program begun by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) to develop assessment instruments and prototypes for its teacher certification system. NBPTS's mission is to develop a national voluntary certification system for experienced teachers. (FMW)

Outlines the conflict surrounding a superintendent's attempt to install a rating system that would reward some nontenured teachers and result in others being fired. A similar system is being used on administrators and classified personnel. (IRT)

An overview of a Personnel Evaluation and Support system is presented. Because it is critical for staff members to know what is expected of them and to know upon what basis they are being evaluated, the formulated Components of Instructions (COI) are disseminated and reviewed with the staff. This process allows staff to know what is expected of…

This practicum report describes the development and implementation of a teacher evaluation system at Eisenhower Elementary School in Pinellas County, Florida. The evaluation system developed was designed to address the goals of team teaching and individualized instruction. The system is intended to evaluate teacher performance in three areas,…

Procedures for designing a faculty evaluation instrument are suggested, along with a description of the program developed at the School of Business Administration, American University, Washington, D.C. Their evaluation instrument indexed total performance, with classroom teaching effectiveness rated slightly more important than professional…

A teacher assessment system is presented which holds that there is no ideal teacher and that to maximize the potential of an individual during a teacher education program, each candidate must be known as a unique person. This system has the following characteristics: (1) design for administration through a central office, and (2) need for a…

Discusses faculty evaluation programs at 11 community colleges, focusing on procedures used, the frequency of evaluation, and areas evaluated. Indicates that although the 11 colleges used all of the main types of faculty evaluation procedures, substantive differences existed among the schools regarding frequency of use and instrument content. (MAB)