No Value in Value Added
Editor’s Note: In response to a recent SchoolBook post and other media coverage of negotiations for a teacher evaluation deal, SchoolBook received a number of comments from people who felt that value-added metrics were not only detrimental to teachers but they were an unproven methodology. As one blogger asked: “So where is the space to make the point that this evaluation system is controversial? And unproven? Maybe even harmful?”
Below we include a critique from teacher and contributor Arthur Goldstein. Education historian and writer Diane Ravitch wrote on this topic here, as did Tim Clifford here. SchoolBook had a round-up of reactions to the statewide deal announced back in February. Keep the comments coming. This issue is far from resolved!
The best way to improve education in our schools, I keep reading, is through sorely needed constructive feedback. The latest suggestion sounds something like this: “Your class’s test scores stink. If they aren’t better by next year, you’re fired.”
But there is a problem with this approach. If you read some of the critiques highlighted above or check the
Below we include a critique from teacher and contributor Arthur Goldstein. Education historian and writer Diane Ravitch wrote on this topic here, as did Tim Clifford here. SchoolBook had a round-up of reactions to the statewide deal announced back in February. Keep the comments coming. This issue is far from resolved!
The best way to improve education in our schools, I keep reading, is through sorely needed constructive feedback. The latest suggestion sounds something like this: “Your class’s test scores stink. If they aren’t better by next year, you’re fired.”
But there is a problem with this approach. If you read some of the critiques highlighted above or check the