Policy

Overview

Teacher evaluation, ultimately, becomes a policy issue. Especially in light of current federal funding, states and local education entities are being asked to plan for improving teacher evaluation. The appropriate roles of states, districts and the federal government are still in question. The role of teachers unions in negotiating contracts that define the boundaries of teacher evaluation is also critical. Policy issues also arise around the cost of effective evaluation systems.

General Questions

1. Are districts playing appropriate role in terms of policy? Why or why not?
2. Are states playing appropriate role in terms of policy? What are the goals of teacher evaluation systems at the state level?
3. Is the Federal Government playing the appropriate role in terms of policy? What goals and levers exist at the Federal level?
4. Are unions appropriately involved? Why or why not?
5. Are non-union teachers and administrators playing the appropriate role in terms of policy? Why or why not?
6. Are funding levels sufficient for implementation? Do they reflect the value of teacher evaluation systems? Why or why not?
7. Are teacher evaluation systems institutionalized? Why or why not?
8. Are there any innovative practices in this area?