Reply #27: Just got my performance pay rubric on the Charlotte Danielson

[cachukis]

criteria. (Gates' Empowering Effective Teachers) Have to say, in order to be rated outstanding this year, I'd have to give up my sleep hours. Sort of No Child Left Behind where all students would be "adequate" by 2014. Funny how 82% of schools, nationally, have failed this criteria.

I teach at an inner city school (FLA) where I have to get the lowest level seniors to pass the FCAT or ACT or SAT to graduate. Last year 82% of them did. When my evaluator, not my peer by the way, pooh poohed some of my methods. She reminded me about the other twenty percent.

There is an inherent antagonism built into the system. The evaluators are overworked and limited to specific criteria for evaluation, very cookie cutter by the way. They are required to present an explanation of that evaluation and offer recommendations based on that rubric. That's it.

Read Danielson's book, look at her tapes. Copy. I'll be back to see how well you mimic. Your students better be able to pass the test based on your mimicry. If they don't you are not a good mimic and must go.

My principal gave me good marks, but reminded me that I had to be more Danielson. That was what was expected.

The evaluators are human and have personal judgement experiences. They all want to do a good job, but have moved into a totalitarian system. Rebel, you're out. Once you've made that move you are defending that paycheck.(Sinclair anyone?)

Nonetheless, the system is set to offer opportunity. Hence, high ratings on the front end leave little room for growth.

Do I give myself a high rating when my evaluators must rate me developing or accomplished? How do I respond when they find me inadequate on a specific practice in a fifty minute period.

What happens if I devote my entire day to implementing Danielson mechanics and overlook the student whose early traumas keep her from having a good relationship with her boyfriend and leans ..... dare I continue? Happened on Tuesday this week.

I will continue the fight for my students until they find someone better I guess.