Teacher Effectiveness Observation Data and New Policies for Teacher Contracts: Changing Roles for Principals and the Central Office

• In Event: Roundtable Session 30
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Observation, Evaluation, and Performance

Abstract

State legislatures and districts are mandating new policies on teacher evaluations--policies that often require teacher classroom observations to be part of teacher performance evaluations, alongside other measures such as student growth and achievement. Simultaneously, teacher employment contracts are rapidly changing, with many systems either abolishing teacher tenure or changing the conditions and timeframes under which teachers may receive tenure. These changes suggest a new focus and use for data-based decision making for principals and central office personnel. The purpose of the paper is to explore how, and to what extent, principals and central office personnel use teacher observation data for teacher contract renewals and dismissals in urban school systems where tenure laws have changed.

Authors

• Ellen B. Goldring, Vanderbilt University

• Timothy Drake, Vanderbilt University

• Christine M. Neumerski, Vanderbilt University - Peabody College

• Patrick Schuermann, Vanderbilt University

• Mollie Rubin, Vanderbilt University

• Jason A. Grissom, Vanderbilt University

• Marisa A. Cannata, Vanderbilt University