Last year, my husband was watching 'Till Death" where the lead actor, Brad Garrett, played a high school history teacher who, to put it mildly, was not on his Principal's Christmas list. In one episode, the teachers were going to be evaluated on the basis of their student's grades. Kids were shuffled around the the deck was stacked against this teacher. His only hope, was one boy, a brilliant kid who would only perform if his teachers paid him. The Brad Garrett character refused and the story line with the promise of a lost job was played out. I don't remember how it ended, although I do know he kept his job.
This was a comedy show, not intended to mimic real life but that is exactly what it did. Last year a student told me he knew I needed him to do well if I wanted to keep my job. (Not true at the time, but true now.) And, I know classes are stacked. I've gotten more than my share of the neediest kids in the building.
With 40% of a teacher's evaluation dependent upon test scores, scores gotten by kids who can't or won't do any better and 60% by principal evaluation, principals who can be vindictive and have no idea as to what makes good teaching, the profession is doomed. I'm glad I was able to get out when I did. Lots of other good teachers are going to be leaving too. This new evaluation system will do nothing but hurt the students it is designed to help.
