Change Agency: What if…

What if…: "

What if…

We evaluated, paid, and fired doctors based on the % of patients who are obese, diabetic, drug-addicted, etc.?
We evaluated, paid, and fired dentists based on the % of patients who have cavities or gum disease?

We evaluated, paid, and fired police officers based on the crime rate?

We evaluated, paid, and fired firefighters based on the number and frequency of fires in the community?

We evaluated, paid, and fired soldiers based on success or failure of battles?

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None of the work of the professionals listed above involves the production of “widgets” — all involve a human element that is out of the individual professional’s control.

Teaching is the same as the professions listed above. Students are not widgets. We do not work on a production line. We are not producing products — we are working with people (students and their parents) who must share in the responsibility for success of the work.

My point — our current focus on evaluating, paying, and firing teachers based on test scores — tests taken by students on one day of the year — is not an effective or fair method. Consider the “what if…” scenarios above — these are all very similar to this current approach to teacher evaluation.

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