unintended (?) consequences of publishing teacher "ratings"

[Hannah Bell]

After the DOE decided to ignore their agreement with the UFT to keep Teacher Data Reports confidential, the effect was immediate. But I'd like to start further back than that, and return to last year, when I first saw my stinky TDR.

The effect on me was immediate, because I knew why I'd gotten such a low score. Besides the fact that the formula is wildly unpredictable, I had the added disadvantage of teaching extremely needy kids in an otherwise excellent school. I have no one to blame for that but myself; when my AP asked whether I'd take on the most challenging students they had, I agreed. I had some crazy idea in my head that helping the students who needed it most was what a teacher should do. So I did it. I've done it most of my career...

So when I got my TDR last year, I did something I am still not proud of. I quit. No, I didn't quit teaching. I just quit volunteering to teach the very children who needed me most. When my AP asked me to take them on again (which he would not do unless he knew I'd been successful), I said no. This year, those kids are with another teacher who has difficulty just getting them to sit in their seats. (This is not a knock on her. She is new and these are tough kids).

I might have gone back to teaching the toughest kids next year, because I think teaching is all about reaching the toughest-to-reach children. That was before the DOE decided they wanted to release the TDRs to the public. I have a family to support and they are my primary duty. I can not take a chance that I will lose my job over some erroneous data.

There are other consequences of the TDRs that became apparent to me immediately. I've had discussions with at least three excellent teachers who have told me that they are now planning on leaving the DOE for sure, because they can not see how they will ever be able to put in enough years to retire from this system. They feel everything is stacked against them. Because it is.

Another consequence is that no one wants to teach the grades or subjects that are targets of the reports. I have a feeling that a LOT of teachers are going to request K-2 assignments or look to leave middle school so they don't have to be subjected to public humiliation should their numbers not stack up with whatever new system the DOE devises...

http://www.accountabletalk.com/2010/10/uninteded-consequences.html

[Xipe Totec]

1. I don't blame you

The system of rewards and punishments is designed to encourage certain behaviors, and discourage others.

Not always the behaviors one would expect or anticipate.

[maryf]

2. Thanks Hannah!

K&R

[Catshrink]

3. One of the many reasons the Obama/Duncan scam is so shortsighted.

But, you know what Hannah? It's the teacher's fault. :sarcasm:

[femmocrat]

4. Thanks for your perspective, Hannah.

Unless someone has been in your shoes, there is no way of knowing about the pressure of teacher ratings. I teach a non-core subject and I was not aware that these reports are driving out the most capable and dedicated teachers.

This hasn't really hit us yet in PA (that I know of)--- maybe because we are a strong union state. Dunno. At any rate, it is a travesty and should not be happening.

[LWolf]

5. This is EXACTLY why public education should not be a competition,

and why so-called merit pay and firings based on test scores are corrupt before they get out of the gate.

[maryf]

6. and really unrealistic...

like comparing doctors in different demographics, or farmers in different locales...just can't compare one teacher to another, or even the same teacher to herself from year to year, or class to class...

[LWolf]

7. True. nt