In his latest book, Bad Teacher! How Blaming Teachers Distorts the Bigger Picture, leading educator and author Kevin Kumashiro, takes aim at the current debate on education reform, paying particular attention to ways that scapegoating public-school teachers, teacher unions and teacher education masks the real systemic problems. Join this conversation that will explore the question: are teachers to blame?
From “Chicago academics warn against using student test scores to rate teachers” by Tahira Khalid
“Dozens of Chicago-area education professors are raising concerns about using student test scores to judge teachers in city schools…. ‘We have already seen the results of placing increased value on tests, such as a more narrow curriculum, less cooperation between teachers, less desire to work with students with special needs — who would bring down the scores, right? This overemphasis on test scores results not in increased success for students, but the opposite,’ UIC professor Kevin Kumashiro said at a news conference that included researchers from the University of Chicago, the School of the Art Institute and DePaul University.”
Questions for Consideration
How can we evaluate teachers in a way that is fair to everyone? What qualities define a successful teacher? Why are our schools failing? What resources do teachers and schools need to be better equipped to teach?
Want to learn more?
- Teachers’ Support For Reform Depends in Part on Experience — Gates/Scholastic
- New CPS teacher evaluation system debated
- Chicago Teachers Speak Out About “Reform” Effects
- Turn Around: You Might Like What You See
- Students from Orr Speak Out! (video)
- What Value Is Added by Publicly Shaming Teachers?
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