-
Implementing the Teacher Evaluation Deal
Last week, classroom teachers voted overwhelmingly to approve a new system of evaluations, which include data from California Standardized Tests. “I’m gratified our members ratified the agreement that clearly states, individual AGT (Academic Growth Over Time) scores will not be used as part of a teacher’s final evaluation,” said UTLA chief Warren Fletcher in a...
By Hillel Aron | January 22, 2013
-
Morning Read: UTLA Approves Teacher Evaluation
Los Angeles Teachers Union Approves Use of Testing Data in Evaluations A landmark agreement to use student test scores for the first time to evaluate Los Angeles Unified instructors was approved by the teachers union Saturday. LA Times See also: LA Daily News, KPCC, LA School Report ‘Parent Trigger’ Organizers Find Willing Partner in Los...
By Samantha Oltman | January 22, 2013
-
Union Warns Against Rejecting Teacher Evaluation Deal
Today is the last day for LA teachers union members to submit their votes to support or reject the teacher evaluation agreement that has been hashed out between UTLA leadership and LAUSD. In the January 15 edition of its weekly newsletter, UTLA urges its members, in so many words, to support the tentative agreement, warning teachers...
By Samantha Oltman | January 17, 2013
-
Morning Read: Garcia Leads in Fundraising
Garcia Leads in Fundraising for L.A. School Board Financial data released Thursday show that Monica Garcia raised $174,288 last year, far outdistancing the combined total of four challengers vying to unseat her. LA Times Southern California Schools to Benefit From Gov. Jerry Brown’s Budget California’s public schools are the big winners in Gov. Jerry Brown’s...
By Samantha Oltman | January 11, 2013
-
Morning Read: Democrats, Reformers Pick Candidates
L.A. County Democratic Party Endorses LAUSD Board Candidates The Los Angeles County Democratic Party voted late Tuesday to endorse incumbent Steve Zimmer and newcomer Antonio Sanchez for the LAUSD board but declined to support board President Monica Garcia or any of the four rivals for her Eastside seat. LA Daily News New Silver Lake Principal...
By Samantha Oltman | January 10, 2013
-
Study: Test Scores Help ID Good Teachers
A study released Tuesday by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation showed that the controversial method of measuring teachers’ effectiveness with students’ test scores can be useful, but only when balanced with other factors, such as student feedback and classroom observation. Teachers unions, including UTLA, have long insisted that grading teachers based on their student...
By Samantha Oltman | January 9, 2013
-
Morning Read: State Chief Calls for Testing Overhaul
State Schools Chief Urges Cut in Number of Tests Next Year Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson says second-graders would not be tested in math and English, and most high school tests would be dropped. L.A. Unified chief expresses reservations. LA Times See also: KPCC, LA Daily News Student Test Scores Can Identify Effective Teachers,...
By Samantha Oltman | January 9, 2013
-
Teachers Set to Vote on Evaluation
Classroom teachers will vote next week on whether or not to approve the new teacher evaluation system agreed to by UTLA leadership and John Deasy late last year. The tentative agreement, signed by UTLA President Warren Fletcher and Superintendent John Deasy on November 30, calls for a complex evaluation that would use a number of...
By Hillel Aron | January 8, 2013
-
Morning Read: CA Left with Tattered Education Law
On 11th Anniversary, No Child Left Behind Law in Tatters As the federal No Child Left Behind law’s eleventh birthday arrives Tuesday, California is one of the few states that still must meet its requirements. KPCC California Schools Flunk Education Group’s Ratings California is sorely lacking when it comes to school reform, failing to adopt...
By Samantha Oltman | January 8, 2013
-
Voices Urge “No” Vote On Evaluation
Former School Board candidate John Fernandez is among a handful of voices urging to teachers to vote against the tentative agreement struck between UTLA and LAUSD regarding teacher evaluations earlier this year. “The big problem is the district and the union have not figured out how much weight they will count for,” said Fernandez, who...
By Hillel Aron | December 20, 2012