Before I begin, I want folks to realize that we are dealing with human beings who have IQs. Some have low IQs and some have have high IQs (very few). Obama and Duncan are asking California to evaluate teachers based upon how well students do on a state test. Are they really this out of touch?
Grade Range Percent
Genius 144 0.13%
Gifted 130-144 2.14%
Above average 115-129 13.59%
Higher average 100-114 34.13%
Lower average 85-99 34.13%
Below average 70-84 13.59%
Borderline low 55-69 2.14%
Low <55 0.13%
For more on IQ test interpretation, go here <–click
Obama, Duncan, and many politicans want teachers to get kids from a 60 IQ to a 115 by the spring testing session otherwise their teaching job would be in jeopardy or they may lose what they are calling “merit pay.” When I put it this way, it does sound very unrealistic. Granted, I am not a fan of the current system where I am just a number (a hire date for a particular district).
Everyone who has been on facebook or online has taken an IQ test for fun. After they take it and see their results, what are they thinking? Yes, how silly this test was that it doesn’t really assess what they can or cannot do or even how intelligent they really are. I think the same thing after I take the tests, myself.
If Obama and Duncan want teachers to be judged on how well students do on a state test, they must have a better plan than the one they had for handing out the stimulus money.
1. Grade K-1 teachers do not give students state tests.
2. Teachers will cheat if they are being judged on student performance. Some won’t…many will.
The ONLY way that this would be fair is if an outside source came in and tested all of the students. If you allow the teacher to test his/her own students…consider those tests INVALID and UNRELIABLE.
Many teachers use ELMO projectors during state tests (which they aren’t allowed to do.) Many teachers leave room environment up with the answers on charts to assist them. Some take them down, many don’t.
If you want testing to be fair….it must be done by an OUTSIDE SOURCE and that is the ONLY way I would consider it to be somewhat fair. I still wouldn’t consider it fair (totally) because then teachers would cry that students were not comfortable with the person giving the tests and that gave them test anxiety.
I do know this….judging a teacher on how well their students performed on 1 state test is NOT reliable, valid, or fair. I have been teaching for 20 years and one day a student can bomb a test and the next day do wonders on another. Maybe someone at home is going through a divorce and their minds were on that instead of the test. For whatever reason, I disagree with using tests to judge teachers.
I can list many reasons these are not valid: 1. a student may simply NOT care or could be getting back at a teacher if they know their job is based upon this 2. students don’t face any consequences for scoring low on these tests. If teachers face consequences, should students or parents face consequences as well? Fair is fair. 3. Absences/Tardies …until they come up with a better plan on this, students MUST be at school in order to learn especially if I am being judged for how well they do. Get them at school. We need a better plan.
Now, go take an IQ test online and you tell me how silly it is. If you can get someone’s IQ from a 60 to a 120 by the spring testing window, then please patent what you know.
Links:
Obama + Duncan’s Plan for Educators in CA (read more here)
IQ Tests: IQ Score Interpretation
What the Feds are asking is that school districts show how student achievement is weighted in teacher evaluations. Too many districts rate most teachers as excellent even when tests show the students haven’t learned anything. Administrators who are being paid the big bucks need to start answering as to why this is and come up with solutions. Nobody is saying tests should be the only evaluatin factor, but they need to be considered – especially year-to-year trends.
Nor does it have to be a comprehensive IQ test every year – sampling of certain areas can be tested since IQ tests basically show how well students (children) have absorbed an expected body of knowledge. Mostly these tests are irrelevant to adults whose knowledge becomes highly specialized and diverse once they leave high school, but they’re not silly for K-12 education.
Yes, I agree with you in many ways Larry. I was using the IQ tests as an analogy to make a point. The tests that the state give are even worse than the silly IQ tests on the net. I don’t want to be judged by a principal who couldn’t teach his/her way out of a paper sack either. I think teacher evaluations must be based upon MULTIPLE measures including…parent evaluations, student evaluations, peer to peer (teacher/teacher), and also daily work samples. Student growth must be used first. I know what teachers will come back and say…that they don’t want some of the nastier kids evaluating them or the defiant parent. We have to come up with something. I am losing my teaching job based upon a hire date number. I am not for this current system either.
For grades 9-11, there are no STAR tests, thus no student scores, for: calculus, trigonometry/math analysis, statistics, geometry, French, German, Spanish, choir, band, orchestra, visual arts, modern dance, physical education, government, economics, psychology, industrial arts, home economics, photography/film, computer graphics, business computing, avid …. and, 12th grad students do not take STAR exams at all. So how do we use scores to evaluate the competency of teachers who teach these subjects? How do we have an objective “data driven” evaluation system that puts all teachers on a level playing field? I dunno.
Speaking of data driven evaluations, here’s one for SAUSD’s finest … data in yesterday’s OC register: http://headlines.ocregister.com/news/girlfriend-36048-maes-home.html
#4 Never a dull moment in the SAUSD…no NEVER
Their should be loads of dull moments, “its not a disco”.
Evaluation is the key that will break the dead- lock of bad teachers and failing students.
I hear your superintentdent of Orange County department of education wants to stop, “TO SAVE MONEY”, testing. What he really wants to do is erase that pesky problem that makes him and his districts look like crap!
I will say it again “You school districts Jill, are in the business of making money, not educating”.
If the teachers revolt, because they are the back bone, and get rid of the Union, it will be alot easier to teach and do the job that teachers are paid to do.
The problem is why would teacher’s threaten their big pay check!
I agree that it is all about the money. You are spot on, Michelle.