Schools and Education Big Evaluation Formula Means Big Problems

BRADENTON -- Teacher Evaluations aren’t brain science, but they are just as complicated. To analyze performance, district staff came up with a mathematic formula worthy of a chalkboard cameo in Good Will Hunting. The new system, implemented in the current school year, contains two portions; one based on student FCAT scores, another that investigates teaching techniques.

State mandates are what initiated the complex assessments. The instructional practices portion makes up 60 percent of the total evaluation score, and is performed by principals and assistant principals. It is expected to consume many man-hours. Each administrator must evaluate 25 teachers. The undertaking could completely transition the former leadership roles due to clerical responsibility. A series of observations, brief walk-throughs and other instructional practices gathered throughout the year by administrators are predicted to take nearly 14 hours per teacher – that is two full days per week dedicated solely to teacher assessment.

”18 hours won’t be necessary for the teachers that the principals are already familiar with,“ said Bob Gagnon, assistant superintendent of curriculum. ”In contrast, a new teacher could need even more time than that.“

Board member Julie Aranibar doubted whether the process was logistically possible. She lobbied that all aspects of the system be electronic, which would cut down on time by alleviating any transcribing. Superintendent Tim McGonegal said staff could look into finding or creating an IT program that would streamline the process.

The student growth portion is based primarily on student FCAT test scores. Prior year and current year FCAT data is used to calculate the Florida Value Added Model or VAM scores, a statistical model created by the American Institute for Research for the State Board of Education and the Florida Department of Education. VAM scores make up 40 percent of the total evaluation, and will be added when FCAT results are delivered to the district in late July.

In the past, one may have had to channel Einstein to try to figure out a VAM score – but don’t worry, VAM apps are already being considered for Apple products. VAM compares the actual student scores on the FCAT reading and math tests with a calculated predicted student growth score. The expected student growth on the FCAT is controlled for two years prior to that achievement and takes several variables into consideration. 

The teacher scores, or TAVAM, are even more complex. However, staff said the intricacy of the formula was necessary to gather enough data to support a teacher’s rating and ensure teachers with lower performing students were not punished. Every classroom student’s performance on the FCAT will contribute to a teacher’s score; the end result taking school performance and student mobility into account. 

Board member Robert Gause said the whole evaluation seemed ”cumbersome and arbitrary.“ He argued that teachers would not be comfortable with the new system, and administration would resent the amount of work it required. ”This is just one more thing loaded on the system,“ he said. ”It looks like it could turn into a real nightmare.“

”This is a high stakes determination,“ said Bruce Proud, spokesman of the Manatee Educational Association. ”It can affect their employability, their step increases and their pay. I know this is cumbersome, but conversations are critical for the process.“

An Instructional Performance Assessment Team is working to train teachers and administrators on the new instructional evaluation system. In May, a survey was distributed to all school staff. The results validated the fact that the assessment formula is a ”pilot program“ and the process is far from complete, it must be refined to be effective. 

”These changes are a direct reflection of state policies,“ explained Proud. ”To implement them without disturbing the balance of the schools, we would need relief from the state, but so far the state has provided more mandates rather than relief.“