At work, the observation rubrics are being used to evaluate teachers. Or is it the other way around? The evaluation rubric is being used to observe teachers? Regardless, the argument, is that the observers/evaluators don't agree on the small details. One person said it was too subjective. Another scored a seasoned, experienced teacher on 50% of the items with a 2 on a 4-point rubric. Why? has this teacher really gone from one or two items that need improvement to 50% of the instructional program requires an overhaul? When I asked the observer why, she could only explain that it was just one line or word that pushed the teacher down to a 2 from a 3 or 4.
<SMH... making the sound that Scooby makes when he can't believe something>
So wait, you're saying that in a 45 minute lesson you did not see something... that perhaps just didn't fit the day and that in the LETTER OF THE LAW/ rubric it required a 2. But you know that more often then not, it is impossible to hit every single indicator every single day, the same exact way? Right? You know that right?
What would it look like if it were the spirit of the law? Would it appear that the teacher was getting a pass? How would you want either one to face the issues that really need improvement? Teacher evaluations need to be learning experiences for both sides of the road... not a "gotcha" moment!
