BOOM! It has landed. . . linking teacher evaluations with student test scores

This morning I write to you about linking teacher evaluations with student test scores. In about 1.5 hours, I will be in a staff meeting regarding Delaware's Component V. . . there are many other states who already have something similar with their evaluations. There are pros and cons to each side of this and I am grateful that "pay for performance" has not yet reached The Small Wonder.

This is my personal list of pros and cons. . . feel free to comment!

PROS

• Teachers will need to be on their toes all the time - no more fluff!
• Students will learn what they need in order to be successful post-high-school
• Teaching will be data driven

CONS

• Stressful for all involved with testing
• Although it is only 1 of 5 components for evaluation, Component V is heavily weighted compared to the other components.
• For a testing grade, approx 50-100% of a teacher's evaluation will be based off of 1 test
• Student's performance is summed up with 2 test scores (fall and spring tests)

Maybe I am making a mountain out of a molehill as I am notorious for doing. . . at least everyone in The First State is in the same boat!

Off to school and thanks for reading!