Evaluations For Teachers Get Tougher Union Backs School Board In Revising District 81 Standards For Performance Review

Spokane public schools took a big step toward weeding out bad teachers Wednesday when board members approved a tougher evaluation form.

The unanimous vote marked the first time in a decade both the teachers union and District 81 administrators could agree on evaluation revisions.

Starting immediately, teachers no longer will be judged by whether they “attempt to” or “endeavor to” perform well, educators said.

They either do or they don’t.

“That’s a significant change,” said Associate Superintendent Mark Anderson. “Now it’s clear. There’s less chance for argument.”

Until now, annual evaluations “allowed credit for effort rather than for performance and results,” said Lynn Jones, president of the Spokane Education Association.

“We want them evaluated on performance and achievements. Trying and attempting to do it isn’t enough anymore,” Jones said.

Teachers also are required to plan lessons around learning goals approved by the district.

“You’re not just going to teach your own thing,” said Anderson.

That will become critical in the next few years with state reforms mandating specific learning requirements for students, Anderson said.

Yet another change in the evaluation form demands that teachers demonstrate “respect for students as individuals.”

“In this day and age, especially with the diversity in classrooms, it’s real important that all children feel they’re respected by their teacher,” said Nancy Stowell, director of schools in south Spokane.

Teachers who helped with the revisions say the clearer standards also will allow principals to do fairer evaluations.

Both sides hope it means less time spent on grievances. The previous evaluation form was more complex and duplicated questions.

One slip-up by a principal, and a teacher could easily win a fight for her job on a technicality, Jones said.

The changes approved Wednesday are part of an ongoing attempt to improve the evaluation process.

Starting early next year, principals will be trained to evaluate teachers more accurately.

And if Sandra Fink, principal at North Central High School, has her way, principals will get help from a “probation team” when dealing with a struggling teacher.

Fink, a member of the district’s committee on improving evaluations, wants help in meeting with such teachers and observing their classroom skills - a time-consuming process for a principal.

Many principals avoid giving teachers low marks on evaluations, partly because trying to fire a teacher or correct the problem is such an arduous process.

In the past two years, less than 2 percent of the teaching staff in Spokane-area public schools received marks such as “unsatisfactory” or “needs improvement” on evaluations.

Experts say that number should be closer to 10 percent.

Spokane school officials also are revising a mentor program they hope will help teachers who are struggling.

Last year, only four teachers who got unfavorable evaluations requested help, although 20 mentors were available, Anderson said.

Now the district is offering mentors to all teachers who want to learn new instruction methods, in hopes of removing any stigma associated with having a mentor.

The new evaluation form will be reviewed next spring, when more changes could be made, Stowell said.

“It’s real unique to have the union and administration sitting down together and tackling this whole issue,” she said. “The only time that usually happens is across the bargaining table.”

, DataTimes