IEA President Swanson Joins Debate Over Tenure.
IEA President Ken Swanson joined the debate over teacher tenure and evaluation with a statement on the IEA Website. Swanson specifically responded to the original newspaper series on which the Chicago Tribune based their "fire the teachers" editorial.
Swanson said the series erred by focusing on districts with low numbers of hearings and dismissals instead of spotlighting districts that are modernizing the evaluation process.
Swanson pointed out that, “school districts hoping to enhance education quality are adopting new evaluation tools that identify teachers who need improvement while providing clear direction as to what the teacher must do to attain a high standard of performance.”
He went on to say, “Well-trained administrators armed with solid evaluation instruments can help capable teachers reach their potential. In addition, skillful evaluations can pave the way for those who fall short to leave the classroom without an expensive dismissal hearing”
Swanson said that the Riverdale School District in west-central Illinois, which was cited in the original series, is a good example of how a modern evaluation system enhances teaching quality and teacher job satisfaction. Three years ago, Riverdale replaced the standard checklist with a new evaluation instrument.
"The new instrument is based on extensive research showing how a teacher’s performance compares to scientifically-tested qualities of good teaching. Areas where the teacher needs to improve are identified, as is a structure for that improvement," said Superintendent David Bills, who worked with the teacher’s union to implement the new process.
"You don’t achieve excellence by firing people who, if shown a path to improvement, can become good or even outstanding teachers. We want to capture that teacher’s experience and potential and turn it loose in the classroom," Bills said.
Describing the connection between tenure protection with teacher retention, Swanson defended tenure laws. "The right to due process protects good teachers from undue harassment, for example, from a parent angry over their child’s grade, or a school board member who didn’t agree with a teacher’s approach in the classroom. Without some protection, teachers would be dismissed without a hearing and that would make attracting and retaining quality teachers even more difficult," he said.
Swanson said the series erred by focusing on districts with low numbers of hearings and dismissals instead of spotlighting districts that are modernizing the evaluation process.
Swanson pointed out that, “school districts hoping to enhance education quality are adopting new evaluation tools that identify teachers who need improvement while providing clear direction as to what the teacher must do to attain a high standard of performance.”
He went on to say, “Well-trained administrators armed with solid evaluation instruments can help capable teachers reach their potential. In addition, skillful evaluations can pave the way for those who fall short to leave the classroom without an expensive dismissal hearing”
Swanson said that the Riverdale School District in west-central Illinois, which was cited in the original series, is a good example of how a modern evaluation system enhances teaching quality and teacher job satisfaction. Three years ago, Riverdale replaced the standard checklist with a new evaluation instrument.
"The new instrument is based on extensive research showing how a teacher’s performance compares to scientifically-tested qualities of good teaching. Areas where the teacher needs to improve are identified, as is a structure for that improvement," said Superintendent David Bills, who worked with the teacher’s union to implement the new process.
"You don’t achieve excellence by firing people who, if shown a path to improvement, can become good or even outstanding teachers. We want to capture that teacher’s experience and potential and turn it loose in the classroom," Bills said.
Describing the connection between tenure protection with teacher retention, Swanson defended tenure laws. "The right to due process protects good teachers from undue harassment, for example, from a parent angry over their child’s grade, or a school board member who didn’t agree with a teacher’s approach in the classroom. Without some protection, teachers would be dismissed without a hearing and that would make attracting and retaining quality teachers even more difficult," he said.
posted by Fred Klonsky at 12/10/2005
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