Ohio’s New Teacher Evaluations: Lessons from the First #ohedchat
January 29, 2013 | 1:50 PM
Ohio educators are edgy: State law requires schools to phase in a new way of evaluating teachers , one based at least in part on student performance.
At Monday night’s #ohedchat Twitter chat, Ohio educators took on the topic of these new teacher evaluations.
[<a href="//storify.com/StateImpactOH/ohio-teacher-evaluation-system-dissected" target="_blank">View the story "Ohio Teacher Evaluation System Dissected" on Storify</a>]<br /> <h1>Ohio Teacher Evaluation System Dissected</h1> <h2>Ohio schools are switching to a new way of evaluating teachers, one based at least in part on their students’ performance. Easy to summarize, really complicated to put in place. Ohio educators shared their questions, frustrations and solutions during the Jan. 28 #ohedchat.</h2> <p>Storified by <a href=”http://storify.com/StateImpactOH”></a>· Tue, Jan 29 2013 10:28:19</p> <div>Getting excited for the #ohedchat about evals/OTES 1/28 @ 9. Looking fwd to hearing from across the state from tchrs, admins, and more!Christina Hank</div> <div>Districts are in different stages of putting the new evaluations in place. (OTES stands for Ohio Teacher Evaluation System. RttT is the federal Race to the Top grants.)</div> <div>A1: Piloting full scale in one middle school, with every other building using the model with a handful of teachers. #ohedchatKeith Millard</div> <div>WCSD is a RttT distrcit, implementing 13-14. Eval. Committee well underway. #ohedchatNikki Quallen</div> <div>We are a RttT district, so we must implement OTES next year. I am on the implementation team. #ohedchatBrian Page</div> <div>A1: We are just starting conversation. Non-RTTT dist trying to learn what we need to be doing. #ohedchatChristina Hank</div> <div>The new evaluations call for observations and walkthroughs, but biggest questions are about the part of evaluations tied to student performance, i.e., the “right side” of the diagram explaining the new evaluations.</div> <div>Ohio Teacher Evaluation ModelStateImpactOH</div> <div>A2: Left side of evaluation chart is fine. I can live with it. Right side of chart (student growth) not ok with as is. #ohedchatRyan McLane</div> <div>A2 the right side of the chart is a hot mess. Growth data is dependent on quality of assessments. #ohedchatBonny Buffington</div> <div>There are things educators like about the new evaluations.</div> <div>#ohedchat I still feel it boils down to the admin doing their jobs and help those teachers who are struggling- not ignore themLisa Batten</div> <div>A2 Both the OPES & OTES models have prompted very worthwhile convo between educators and admins in all buildings #ohedchatDr. Lou Kramer</div> <div>A2: @NELSD_Super This is so true–one pos. is it is redefining the role of principal as leader. Not a mgr, now a coach #ohedchatChristina Hank</div> <div>A2: The focus on evidence takes a certain amount of subjectivity out of the system. #ohedchatKeith Millard</div> <div>And some hope the new evaluations will make them better teachers.</div> <div>A3 I for one would like to see evaluations that give suggestions on how to improve my teaching #ohedchatJeremy Evans</div> <div>But are these new evaluations going to improve teaching and help students succeed in school? <div>(PD is professional development. SLOs stands for student learning objectives, measurable, long-term academic goals teachers set for students or subgroups of students. )</div> </div> <div>I think it is sad we spend all of this PD time on developing SLO instead of spending that time on improving actual instruction. #ohedchatRyan McLane</div> <div>@DieterELA We calculated 8-10 hours minimum for only minimum requirements. Could be much more if done properly #ohedchatPaul Gibbs</div> <div>And will they make it harder for aspiring teachers to find classrooms to do their student-teaching in?</div> <div>BTW) Why would anyone ever accept a student teacher if 50% of our performance is based on student growth? Where will they go? #OhEdChatBrian Page</div> <div>@Ar1cTh0mas As a parent, if a StuTchr makes instructional quality go down that much, I don’t want my kid in that classroom. #ohedchatMichael Roush</div> <div>The new evaluations require a lot more work from everyone involved. <div>(CCSS stands for Common Core State Standards, the new math and English language arts standards coming to Ohio schools.)</div> </div> <div>I’m curious where you are all getting the time for PD and training as well as writing SLOs for teachers #ohedchatKristine Quallich</div> <div>A3: the every teacher every year thing is a big hurdle. Reduced number of administrators, no time #ohedchatBonny Buffington</div> <div>@BBuff43011 The PD is non-stop right now, CCSS, SLO, OTES ,etc. Assessment Literacy is next on my list. Lots to learn! #ohedchatNikki Quallen</div> <div>A lot of changes are coming at Ohio schools, and fast.</div> <div>@JR_evans A6: Trying to use ODE timeline but trying to use this process not just to check off done boxes but to change instr #ohedchatKristine Quallich</div> <div>@KQuall Good point. W/accelerating reforms, at some pt edu must take stock & ensure quality strategies r implemented w/integrity #ohedchatDr. Lou Kramer</div> <div>How do schools transition to the new evaluations without completely freaking out teachers? It may not be easy, but school leaders are tackling the challenge.</div> <div>A7: They freak out at first bwhen they see opportunity for feedback & mult obsvs & what excellence looks like they breathe again #ohedchatJill Cabe</div> <div>@JR_evans show connection to current eval system, but think that anxiety is already there, esp. when many still have many ?’s #ohedchatMelanie</div> <div>Q7 Breaking the process into digestable pieces. A focus in our district..and being open about what we don’t yet know! #ohedchatNikki Quallen</div> <div>In most schools today, nearly all teachers get a “satisfactory” evaluation. Under the new evaluations, there will be four different grades for teachers: Accomplished, Proficient, Developing and Ineffective. How do schools explain that to parents and taxpayers?</div> <div>“@JR_evans: Q10: Are you preparing your community for results of new evaluations? If so, how? #ohedchat” A10: No. OopsAric Thomas</div> <div>A10: Figuring out ways to truly connect the community to all of the changes, minus the edu jargon, is still a hurdle. #ohedchatKeith Millard</div> <div>This is the beta version of the website the Hamilton school district is building to help parents understand some of the changes coming to local schools.</div> <div>Common Core Instructional Changes</div> <div>Other links shared during the chat include the Ohio Department of Education’s FAQ on the new evaluations, and on how a bill passed late last year (HB 555) affects these new evaluations.</div> <div></div> <div></div> <div>The next #ohedchat starts Monday, Feb. 4 at 9 p.m. Remember to vote for the topic you want to discuss. And remember to thank @JR_Evans for moderating.</div> <div>#ohedchat Topic</div> Learn more:
