After administering the first part of the English language arts standardized tests to the third-graders in my classroom and watching the utter anguish and despair on their faces, it became apparent to me the only people not being evaluated are those involved with the state Department of Education. I have arbitrarily decided to impose an evaluation system for them.
To be fair, I will utilize the format they have endorsed. Some 40 percent of their scores will be based on testing; half of that will be based on the growth score of all state students in all grades between 2012 and 2013 and the other half on the percentage of students scoring at or above a level 3 this year. The other 60 percent will be based on observations; a third will be from parent opinion, a third from educator opinion, and a third from their portfolios. The portfolios should document student exemplars, state ability to differentiate instruction, and student college-ready outcomes.
If they score less than the required 75 points, they will placed on a DIP, a Department Improvement Plan. If they fail to raise their scores after two years, they will face termination — from the commissioner to receptionists. There will be no appeal process.
Bob Roszak
Albany