Teachers

Education Vital Signs: Teachers
Education Vital Signs collection of reports on Teachers.

Teacher Evaluation How-Tos
Judging teachers threatens to become a reality show with little or no payoff for educational consumers. When it comes to judging teachers, the challenges are great, but the magic words are simple: It’s time we did our homework. Here are five lessons that challenge even the most able among us.
March 2012

Teacher Accountability and Testing
Testing experts worry about the many ways value-added can fall short of expectations. They urge policymakers to follow best practice principles and design prescriptions when using value-added. A few key prescriptions are: demand top-quality tests; ensure educators know what the test covers; and, ensure accuracy of formulas.
March 2012

Assessments Helping Teachers
In 2002, Wyoming’s education officials set out to create accountability tests capable not only of accurately evaluating their state’s schools, but also of stimulating better instruction. Birth pangs are common with new enterprises, and that was the case in Wyoming. While not definitive, the results are definitely encouraging.
March 2012

Teachers and Social Networks
While scads of attention and literature have focused on protecting and guiding student use of social networking technologies, the same diligence has not been paid to covering actions by district staff and faculty. As embarrassment after embarrassment has shown, educators need educating on these matters, too.
December 2010

National Teachers Standards
The Council of Chief State School Officers has crafted a set of standards for teacher practice that could help school leaders deal with the increased federal and state demands while still maintaining local control. The consortium is seeking extensive input for the revised standards, including from school board members and administrators.
October 2010