Improving Teacher Evaluation Systems

This is the first book to gather and address what we have learned about the impacts and challenges of data-intensive teacher evaluation systems—a defining characteristic of the current education policy landscape. Expert researchers and practitioners speak to what we know (and what remains to be known) about evaluation measures themselves, the implementation of evaluation systems, and the use of evaluation data. The authors argue that rigorous teacher evaluation systems have the potential to promote school improvement but only if the systems are carefully designed and implemented and the data they generate are interpreted and used appropriately. This timely and important volume will be relevant and useful to school and district administrators, policymakers, researchers, and teacher education institutions grappling with issues of teacher accountability and school leadership.

Book Features:

• Contributions by scholars working at the cutting edge of research and pioneering leaders directly involved in the implementation of teacher evaluation systems.
• Examination of the challenges and impact multiple measures-based evaluations are having on teaching and learning.
• Empirical research on the reliability and validity of evaluation measures, including classroom observation instruments, value-added measures, student surveys, and teacher portfolios.

Jason A. Grissom is associate professor of public policy and education at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development. Peter Youngs is associate professor in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education in the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia.

"Teacher evaluation is a controversial reform effort that often produces more heat than light as new systems are implemented. Grissom and Youngs attempt to change that dynamic by collecting our best research-based knowledge on the topic in a smart, accessible volume that sets the standard in the field."
—John Tyler, professor of education, public policy, and economics
associate dean of academic affairs, Graduate School, Brown University

""Grissom and Youngs have organized an insightful guide to new teacher evaluation systems. The contributions from individual authors couple what we know about measurement quality in these systems with a valuable first look at on-the-ground implementation.”
—Heather Hill, Jerome T. Murphy Professor in Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education

"One of the most significant recent changes in school district administration has been the widespread development and implementation of teacher evaluation systems based
on pupil performance and other measures. This book brings together top scholars who identify key issues, providing insights into possible benefits and perils."
—Robert E. Floden, associate dean for research, College of Education,
Michigan State University

"This volume provides much-needed perspective on the controversies surrounding teacher evaluation. The authors provide balanced and accessible reviews of the components of most systems of teacher evaluation. This should be required reading for all policymakers and district administrators to help them better understand the ingredients of their systems. "
—Pam Grossman, dean, Graduate School of Education, George and Diane Weiss Professor, University of Pennsylvania