Del Schalock, Mark Schalock, and David Myton suggest that the education profession is stuck on an "input" teacher-assessment approach that fails to consider effects on student learning. They offer the Oregon Work Sampling Methodology as an exemplary alternative to portfolios and performance assessments. Although the Oregon WSM is a…

Rather than burdening administrators, educators are discovering that a well-designed evaluation system can effectively merge professional development with quality assurance in teacher evaluation. New participatory evaluation approaches include differentiated systems, multiyear cycles, and active teacher roles (via portfolios, professional…

This paper reports on an action-research project that focuses on the assessment of second language teacher education. It was carried out in the context of the Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) and centres on how assessment criteria for this qualification are interpreted and operationalized by teacher educators…

This paper considers the benefits of using an electronic portfolio as opposed to the more traditional type for the professional resume and treats the use of the electronic portfolio as a means of assessment of student, student teacher, and teacher performance, and as a marketing tool in job searches. The ease of distribution, storage and use, and…

Detailed explanations of the legal issues involved in teacher evaluation are discussed in this concise handbook. The basis for discussion is a self-assessment designed for response by the reader. The answers to the self-assessment instrument and explanations of them are discussed under 13 headings: (1) The Use of Test Scores; (2) Negotiability and…

In 1984, consistent with reform efforts, the Texas legislature had directed the State Board of Education to adopt an appraisal process and criteria with which to appraise teachers' performance for career ladder purposes, improvement of instruction, and contract renewal decisions. In 1989, the Texas Legislature mandated an evaluation study of the…

An experienced teacher evaluator and university supervisor for student teachers has developed a list of 12 things to look for in evaluating a teacher. With the attitude that evaluation is to improve teaching, not to judge teachers, the evaluator has completed 140 Career Ladder evaluations and 44 student teaching evaluations. The twelve points he…

This report examines recent trends in the establishment of state-level policies for beginning teacher evaluation and supervision. The state role in defining the experiences and clinical preparation of beginning teachers increased substantially during the 1980s; there are, however, important differences in how states approach this responsibility.…

The Developmental Teacher Evaluation Kit (DeTek) and the Texas Teacher Appraisal System (TTAS) are compared in this report. The DeTek model is based on objective analysis, diagnostic procedures to guide inservice planning and professional growth, an ongoing cycle of evaluation and development, and provision of diagnostic instruments. It is limited…

Based on 18 months of extensive research and study, the New Mexico State Department of Education developed the Staff Accountability Plan to address the issue of teacher accountability and certification. This plan, which consists of three provisions, came into existence as a result of concern expressed by the general public, legislators, and…

This discussion on merit pay and career ladders focuses on legal questions about evaluation fairness. If the concern of teachers for fairness is heeded, policymakers must include in enabling legislation for teacher incentive programs procedures designed to minimize the impact of bias for or against particular individuals or particular teaching…

During the 1986-87 school year, the state of Texas implemented the Texas Teacher Appraisal System (TTAS), a comprehensive and generic system for improving instruction. This teacher orientation manual has been developed to increase teachers' knowledge of this new appraisal system. The first section provides an overview of the TTAS, including its…

The development of a plan for language teaching evaluation and the first steps taken to implement it are reported. The plan, developed as a result of efforts to assist the Defense Language Institute in program evaluation, involves direct observation of language instruction in progress. Outside observers would assess the degree to which course…

Centering around the common theme of reading evaluation, the papers in this yearbook were either presented at or are based on presentations from the 1985 American Reading Forum conference. Titles of some of the papers and their authors are as follows: "Teacher Competency Testing" (S. Kossack); "Principals as Instructional Leaders" (J. Laffey);…

Two student teacher evaluation methods used by the University of Toledo are the Classroom Observation Keyed for Effectiveness Research Instrument (COKER) and the Teacher Performance Assessment Instrument (TPAI). The COKER is an objectively administered low inference system for recording teacher and student interactions in the classroom. (The form…