Comparative Analysis of the Design and Implementation of Race to the Top Teacher Evaluation Systems

• In Event: Roundtable Session 28
  In Roundtable Session: Policy, Social, and Organizational Contexts of Teachers

Abstract

This paper represents the first comprehensive description and evaluation of the status of the teacher evaluation systems that states and districts are implementing in response to the Race to the Top (RTTT) initiative. Using publicly available documents and interviews with key administrators for each of the 20 locales that have received RTTT funding, we analyze the features of each system, characteristics of implementation, and emerging results from initial implementation. To describe these systems, we developed a conceptual framework with components for theories of action, evaluation design, legal requirements, local decision-making, stakeholder outreach, teacher and evaluator training opportunities and requirements, and evidence of accurate and consistent implementation. Using this framework, we describe the status and variation of systems across the country.

Authors

• Kevin Crouse, Rutgers University - New Brunswick/Piscataway

• Jeanette Joyce, Rutgers University

• Drew H. Gitomer, Rutgers University - New Brunswick/Piscataway