Although the research on teacher effectiveness provides a vocabulary and system for improving insights into good teaching, it may induce rigidity into our viewpoints. Following only the research on teaching can put too much emphasis on specific behaviors that cannot be easily measured or prescribed in advance. Includes 24 references. (MLH)

A revealing study of junior high students shows that this group values teachers who are fair and know their subjects more than they value mere ethnic background. Three-fourths of the students surveyed indicated that ethnic extraction was not an important variable in teacher preference. (Editor)

In theory and fact, in position and function, the principal is indeed the instructional leader of the school. There are research findings on teacher effectiveness that can and must be used by principals in their function of instructional leadership. (Author/MLF)

School boards and teachers must begin a serious, in-depth dialog on the role of inservice and the evaluation of teachers to increase pupil productivity in the classroom. Microteaching, videotape feedback, and modeling can be useful inservice tools to improve teachers' instructional skills. (Author)

At the core of evaluating school outcome is a clear goal statement and the ability to gather important and appropriate information. This process must not be left to chance. Able school leaders develop congruent testing and feedback activity for each phase of the school year cycle. Information is then used to build a framework for school…

Faculty growth contracts are a viable way to define faculty ideas, chart the direction of professional growth, and assess teacher performance. Each contract includes a statement of yearly goals, means for accomplishing those goals, and a budget request. Guidelines are provided for implementing a faculty growth contract program. (TE)

The role of privilege in defamation suits arising from the evaluation of public educators is explored in light of the "Manguso vs. Oceanside Unified School District" court case, in which a teacher brought a libel charge against a superintendent. (DCS)

The author uses behavioral objectives as the framework for developing an evaluation system with a simple approach. He believes that simplicity is the key to successful implementation of evaluation systems. (MD)

This article proposes a formative appraisal system for improving classroom instruction that is characterized by a small number of teachers for each supervisor, cooperative goal setting, and the use of modeling techniques, low-inference observation instruments, and regular, timely feedback. Anticipated benefits include greater teacher…

Teacher surpluses and demands for accountability have led boards of education and administrators to consider the dismissal of teachers not performing as expected. The writer views the situation and urges school officials to heed scrupulously the provisions of the state statutes on teacher dismissal. (Editor)

Administrators seeking the cooperation of teachers in the classroom observation phase of teacher evaluations should establish well-defined criteria in the areas of planning, technical skills, instructional skills, and classroom management so that teachers can recognize the evaluation process as an objective attempt to encourage their professional…

The principal has a duty to assess the worth (make a summative evaluation) of the various parts of the organization, including teachers, and the further responsibility for making provision for the formative evaluation of the teaching staff with a view to assisting them in their personal and professional growth. (Author)

Reform measures have had little effect on increasing high school students' academic performance. Instructional quality is largely determined by the attitude, competence, and talent of teachers and principals responsible for delivering classroom instruction. Contracts should be revised to increase teachers' starting salaries, enforce accountability…

Evaluators using a naturalistic orientation observe a teacher's performance within the context of other lessons and interactions, view teacher observation and evaluation as processes rather than outcomes, and see events from the teacher's perspective. Principals can increase objectivity by recognizing the effects of their attitudes and experiences…

The Teaching Performance Observation Instrument enables evaluators to measure teachers' use of 25 specific teaching practices that research has identified as effective. These practices fall into five broad categories: (1) management of instructional time, (2) management of student behavior, (3) instructional presentation, (4) instructional…