1. High Stakes Testing and Teacher Evaluation Angie Somers

2. Local News Teacher Evaluations  New Teacher Evaluation To boost Graduation Rate New Teacher Evaluation To boost Graduation Rate Personal Comment The idea that the new teacher evaluation will lead to higher graduation rates is wonderful. I don’t know that I fully agree with the statement made by McKinney. Yes the idea that students need to be more self directed is a valuable one. I am not sure how the teacher evaluation process allows teachers to direct students to be more self- directed and responsible. The standards on the NC Teacher Evaluation System does promote building relationships with students. I can see how relationships could promote a higher graduation rate. But as for high school students being self-directed and responsible that is under their control.

3. Local News Teacher Evaluations  Obama plans big changes in education law | JournalNow.com Obama plans big changes in education law | JournalNow.com Personal Comment President Obama is planning and implementing a overhaul on Education Law in the United States. The change in the education system is much needed. President Obama goal is to have students leave high school “college or Career ready” This article outlines the beginning of his Race to the Top program to provide school systems with the money needed to pull the failing schools back up to par. The quote “ States that prohibit the use of test scores in teacher evaluations, for example are not eligible for funds” This quote shows how testing and student performance can effect a teachers evaluation and that causes stress on teachers as well as students.

4. Local News Teacher Evaluations  New teacher evaluation shows strengths, weaknesses | Hickory Daily Record New teacher evaluation shows strengths, weaknesses | Hickory Daily Record Personal Comment I enjoyed reading this article and felt that it represented the pros and cons for the New Teacher Evaluation. Catawba County and Hickory County Schools piloted the New Teacher Evaluation System starting in 2008-2009. The article stated that the strengths of the new NC Teacher Evaluation are that teachers are able to produce artifacts that show what they are teaching and it is not only based on observations. Teachers are also required to do a self evaluation at the beginning of each year. This promotes growth and reflection on teachers own personal teaching goals. The negative side of the new NC Teacher Evaluation is changing teachers mind set of how they score themselves as teachers.

5. North Carolina Teacher Evaluations  How North Carolina Improved Teacher Evaluations How North Carolina Improved Teacher Evaluations  http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/3505930/article- Linking-student-assessment--teacher-evaluations-risky http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/3505930/article- Linking-student-assessment--teacher-evaluations-risky Personal Comment The first article details the process of the NC Teacher evaluation and the improvements that have been made in the process. Improving the Content and the process in how teachers are evaluated and providing a consistent evaluation across the state The second article ties the NC Teacher Evaluation to student assessment and tests. This article states that measuring teacher evaluations on student test scores are risky for the following reasons: The absence of standardized tests in some grades and the validity of the Standardized tests that we do have in North Carolina. Also teachers should not be measured on students that they have to “play catch up” with. Pre service teachers were surveyed about their career choices if assessments were linked to Teacher Evaluations, the majority of the pre service teachers said that they would seek employment in high performing schools.

6. National News Teacher Evaluations  Teacher: What my evaluation must include Teacher: What my evaluation must include Personal Comment I admire this teacher for being an advocate for himself and others teachers in the state of California. This veteran teacher felt that evaluating his teaching skills based on test scores would not be a valid due to the many different variables involved with teaching. This article outlined particular concerns for one teacher but is relevant and important for all teachers in the profession. I am disappointed that Mr. Cohen did not receive a response back from the Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other Educational Politicians in California.

7. National News Teacher Evaluations  Education advisory panel on teacher evaluations | postcrescent.com | Appleton Post Crescent Education advisory panel on teacher evaluations | postcrescent.com | Appleton Post Crescent  Should test scores be used At All for teacher evaluation? Should test scores be used At All for teacher evaluation? Personal Comment The above articles oppose using Testing and value added formulas for evaluating teachers. The tests that students take are snap shots of their educational learning. Therefore teachers should not be evaluated based on those tests.

8. National News Teacher Evaluations  Los Angeles Teacher’s Death Exposes Tensions - NYTimes.com Los Angeles Teacher’s Death Exposes Tensions - NYTimes.com Personal Comment This story shows the effects and the stress of teacher evaluations based on test scores. Mr. Ruelas was a dedicated teacher to his students and profession. When he was rated less effective than average in a teacher evaluation due his test scores his life and the lives of the community around him was deeply effected. The education system is broken in so many ways and to link teacher evaluations to test scores causes undue stress on effective teachers!

9. National News Teacher Evaluations  Controversy Surrounds White House Push For Increased Teacher Accountability in Race to The Top Program - ABC News Controversy Surrounds White House Push For Increased Teacher Accountability in Race to The Top Program - ABC News Personal Comment “ For anyone who wants to use Race to the Top to blame or punish teachers, you're missing the point. Our goal isn't to fire or admonish teachers. Our goal is accountability. It's to provide teachers with the support they need, to be as effective as they can be, and to create a better environment for teachers and students alike," Obama If this is what Obama believes then why are teachers being fired from low performing schools with students that are not proficient?

10. National News Teacher Evaluations  Getting it right on teacher evaluations... - Other Views - MiamiHerald.com Getting it right on teacher evaluations... - Other Views - MiamiHerald.com Personal Comment With Race to the Top and the fact that states are being mandated to base teacher evaluations on student test scores it is nice to see a state that is taking the time to listen to what teachers and parents have to say. Eric J. Smith the Florida commissioner of education is taking the time to be a part of “What's Working in Effective Teaching and Leadership'' workshop series. His goal is to provide support for teachers, administration and students as new teacher evaluations are being developed.

11. My Final Thoughts My Final Thoughts.doc Paper attached