In 2016, teachers will have to demonstrate student growth as a part of their evaluations. I think this reality hasn't really sunk in for many educators. I'll offer some things to keep in mind and suggestions to help make this change a positive one.
Watch out for:
1. Your district wanting to use ACT or PSAE data for every teacher. This sounds simple but I can see this happening fairly easily.
2. Districts rushing into an evaluation metric for you. The arts aren't mandated by the state so be sure they won't be first in line to be discussed. Your administration will need time to come up with something positive.
3. Metrics that significantly alter your classroom for a negative effect. Whatever you choose, be sure it measures what you currently doing. Assessment should be an organic experience and if you haven't been doing it, get on the band wagon.
Suggestions for help:
1. Start planning now. This change could take a year or two to get right so that would mean you have two to three years to develop something.
2. Communicate with local districts. Talk to your friends. Find out what they're doing.
3. Ask yourself what kind of evidence shows what you want kids to know. Should their range, dexterity, and endurance be assed? There's ways to do all three. Should musicianship and aesthetic sensitivity be assessed? There are ways for those too!
You have to think this one through. Ultimately, it will help your teaching.
1.05.2011
Performance Counts Act Part 2
Ok, I've now read the two drafts of the remarkable legislation. Here are my thoughts:
1. I know this is fast, but I think they need to ratify this. I talked to some fellow union reps and they were concerned they could not offer input.........I don't buy it. The NEA has had plenty of time to give an alternative and could have led this. If they are complaining that someone beat the to punch, they're right. Now get over it. Most union members still have no clue what's happening.
2. The media coverage has sucked. I would expect more from the largest legislation to sweep through the state.
3. Teachers will still have more job security than the private sector if the bill passes.
4. I've heard a few teachers say that they are worried that an unsatisfactory rating will be easy to get. I don't think so. If you have to soon document growth, an unsatisfactory would be much more black and white. Did the students learn according to the district model? If yes, than good luck being rated unsatisfactory.
5. Can teachers advocate for higher salaries if they are giving up job security? I think so.
6. How will this affect the arts? That is a good question. I think there are too many unknowns to answer.
1. I know this is fast, but I think they need to ratify this. I talked to some fellow union reps and they were concerned they could not offer input.........I don't buy it. The NEA has had plenty of time to give an alternative and could have led this. If they are complaining that someone beat the to punch, they're right. Now get over it. Most union members still have no clue what's happening.
2. The media coverage has sucked. I would expect more from the largest legislation to sweep through the state.
3. Teachers will still have more job security than the private sector if the bill passes.
4. I've heard a few teachers say that they are worried that an unsatisfactory rating will be easy to get. I don't think so. If you have to soon document growth, an unsatisfactory would be much more black and white. Did the students learn according to the district model? If yes, than good luck being rated unsatisfactory.
5. Can teachers advocate for higher salaries if they are giving up job security? I think so.
6. How will this affect the arts? That is a good question. I think there are too many unknowns to answer.
Final day in ATL
Now that I've had some semblance of sleep, here is our final day review and my final thoughts.
We arose to load our buses and eat our last hotel breakfast. We drove to an empty street in downtown to line up for the parade. They put all the bands on the same street, and our kids were serenaded by the Robert Morris College band with some southern hip-hop.
The parade was short but we had a bus behind us with the world's loudest air horn. I had to talk to the parade officials about the inappropriateness of the situation. After a fast change, we ate at CNN and moved onto the world of Coke. Our kids got to sample Coke from around the world. My favorite was Italy. We changed back and went into fan fest with all the South Carolina and FSU fans. The FSU band was LOUD and rockin'.
We took our nosebleed seats, hung out for a few minutes and the kids took their positions underneath the stadium. The kids played the National Anthem and patriotic medley. They did a great job.
We returned to our seats to watch some of the game. The kids headed back for halftime and that's the clip from ESPN that we've seen. The band headed back to the buses and changed into their bus clothes. Some kids crashed right away and others decided to stay up all night. No one made it on my bus! By sunrise it was a new year and nearly the end of a great trip. We pulled into BHS to smiling parents.
I have traveled the world as a musician. There is something remarkable about performing music for another person that changes you. Being able to watch my students experiences this past week has been special. I've seen them grow as humans and as musicians. I saw people thank bus drivers and help their colleagues into hotel rooms. I saw kids let all their inhibitions go on the dance floor but most importantly, I saw kids have fun with their friends and ultimately, that's what they'll remember. That moment that will crystalize in their memory and stay with them forever. In an age when high school kids are inundated with school work, jobs, and band rehearsals, it was rewarded for them to have a safe place to be themselves, to be kids.
We arose to load our buses and eat our last hotel breakfast. We drove to an empty street in downtown to line up for the parade. They put all the bands on the same street, and our kids were serenaded by the Robert Morris College band with some southern hip-hop.
The parade was short but we had a bus behind us with the world's loudest air horn. I had to talk to the parade officials about the inappropriateness of the situation. After a fast change, we ate at CNN and moved onto the world of Coke. Our kids got to sample Coke from around the world. My favorite was Italy. We changed back and went into fan fest with all the South Carolina and FSU fans. The FSU band was LOUD and rockin'.
We took our nosebleed seats, hung out for a few minutes and the kids took their positions underneath the stadium. The kids played the National Anthem and patriotic medley. They did a great job.
We returned to our seats to watch some of the game. The kids headed back for halftime and that's the clip from ESPN that we've seen. The band headed back to the buses and changed into their bus clothes. Some kids crashed right away and others decided to stay up all night. No one made it on my bus! By sunrise it was a new year and nearly the end of a great trip. We pulled into BHS to smiling parents.
I have traveled the world as a musician. There is something remarkable about performing music for another person that changes you. Being able to watch my students experiences this past week has been special. I've seen them grow as humans and as musicians. I saw people thank bus drivers and help their colleagues into hotel rooms. I saw kids let all their inhibitions go on the dance floor but most importantly, I saw kids have fun with their friends and ultimately, that's what they'll remember. That moment that will crystalize in their memory and stay with them forever. In an age when high school kids are inundated with school work, jobs, and band rehearsals, it was rewarded for them to have a safe place to be themselves, to be kids.
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