NJEA argues teacher evaluation based on student test scores not practical
Published: Thursday, March 03, 2011, 6:00 AM
NJEA President Barbara Keshishian center, defers a question to NJEA executive director Vincent Giordano during a state Senate Education Committee hearing on tenure and dismissal procedures for public school teachers. At far left is Michael Cohan, director of professional development for the NJEA.TRENTON — With a governor-appointed task force’s report on teacher evaluations expected to be released today, the state’s largest teacher’s union Wednesday argued basing teacher effectiveness on student test scores is unworkable.
The New Jersey Education Association Wednesday issued a statement saying tying performance reviews to standardized test scores could narrow curriculum in schools and reinforce teaching for the sake of passing a test.
"We believe student test scores have a place in the evaluation process, but we also agree with highly regarded researchers that they should not play a determining role in high-stakes personnel decisions," NJEA president Barbara Keshishian said.
The issue of teacher evaluations is a hot-button one. A five-point reform proposal that would tie a new type of renewable tenure to student performance was unveiled by acting Education