How do you really measure teacher effectiveness? How do you know the true impact a teacher has? I have been thinking about this a lot lately. We have a new teacher evaluation system slated to go into effect next year. A large percentage of our evaluation will be based on student performance on standardized tests. Supposedly it will be based on growth, but there are many factors that have not yet been outlined. Another part of our evaluation will be based on a series of observations throughout the school year.
As I prepare for the new system and think about ways I will be evaluated, I keep coming back to the idea that measuring true effectiveness requires so much more. When we can see into the future how each child is inspired by time in our classes, then we might be able to judge teacher effectiveness. I have no idea the long term effect the time I spend with my students will have on their lives and career choices. I am also sure that teachers I had have no idea the impact they had on me. Teaching is about long-term dividends.
Of course the relationships we form with students and the engagement we create in our classrooms are also important, but these are subjectively measured. I often wonder what kind of conversations students are having at home about what we learned in science. Do they even talk about it? I know some do. I know students are so excited about what we do they share it on social media. I love the photo in this post a student shared after we did one of my favorite demos which shows ocean convection. If students are taking photos, sharing, and engaging others, does that mean I was effective in at least this one lesson?
It’s interesting that we can describe a good teacher, a bad teacher, a great teacher – but assigning numbers and data to the descriptions is difficult. I guess that’s the part of teaching that is an art form and not a science. What do you think: is it possible to truly measure teacher effectiveness? What do you think is the best way?
