Education researchers caution against using students’ test scores to evaluate teachers
The American Educational Research Association became the latest organization to caution against using value-added models — complex algorithms that attempt to measure a teacher’s impact on student test scores — to evaluate teachers and principals.
A growing number of states have begun using value-added models, or VAMs, to judge and in some cases fire teachers. But there are still a lot of unanswered questions about how to ensure that such models provide valid, reliable and accurate information about teachers, AERA said in a statementreleased Wednesday.
AERA cautioned against using these formulas for “high-stakes decisions” about educators.
“Many states and districts have incorporated VAM in a comprehensive system to evaluate teachers, principals, and educator preparation programs,” the statement says. “There are considerable risks of misclassification and misinterpretation in the use of VAM to inform these evaluations.”
The AERA listed eight technical requirements that should be met before the Education researchers caution against using students’ test scores to evaluate teachers - The Washington Post: