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Thursday, January 20, 2011

NJ Spotlight | Spotlight Research: Assessing the Value of Value-Added Models

NJ Spotlight | Spotlight Research: Assessing the Value of Value-Added Models

Spotlight Research: Assessing the Value of Value-Added Models
Judge teachers on how students do on standardized tests? That's the job of the VAM

It’s better known by its acronym these days and not easy to explain anyway, but get used to the term "value-added model" (VAM) when it comes to how New Jersey and other states determine what makes a good teacher.

VAM, in brief, is a method of judging teachers’ performance by how much their students improve (or not) on standardized tests. And it has been embraced by a number of states, not to mention the federal government, as a central component in any valid teacher evaluation system.

Needless to say, it’s also very controversial. And while New Jersey is not there yet, its leaders are now weighing VAM pros and cons as part of Gov. Chris Christie’s proposals to revamp the teacher

Latest Version of School Voucher Bill Heads for Senate Budget Committee

Backers say it has the votes to clear committee, but tougher battles await the controversial legislation.