How Did Teachers Rate in Connecticut?

Recently, the state Department of Education released data for the first time revealing how the state’s teachers performed on evaluations.

The first year data goes back to the 2013-14 school year and is being phased in statewide.

Overall, you may find the data somewhat surprising or not.

Of the state’s 46,841 public school teachers who were evaluated, 13,024 were considered exemplary and 25,251 proficient. A total of 98.4 percent of the state’s teachers, who were evaluated, were considered very good at their jobs.

Just 572 teachers were considered developing, and 66 below standard.

Most of the teachers considered developing and below standard are primarily in urban districts including Bridgeport and Hartford, the Hartford Courant reports.

The head of the Connecticut Education Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union, said the data isn’t a surprise and everyone knows that an overwhelming majority of teachers do a great job, the Courant reports.

The new evaluation program cost the state $13.5 million to implement. Not every teacher in every district was evaluated as its being phased-in, and not every school district released the data either including the Madison Public School system.

“What the ratings from the first year of implementation tell us is that teachers and principals are engaging in meaningful, professional dialogue and setting goals for how to strengthen the education we deliver to Connecticut students,” state Department of Education spokeswoman Abbe Smith told Patch.

“This is an all-around win for Connecticut – teachers are empowered by having more of a voice in school improvement and students benefit from the increased focus on teaching and learning. The system is a work in progress and we look forward to continuing the dialogue with partners through the Performance Evaluation Advisory Council,” Smith added.

308 teachers, no data given by Madison

Daniel Hand High School: 108 teachers

Dr. Robert H. Brown Middle: 51 teachers

Island Avenue: 24 teachers

J. Milton Jeffrey: 29 teachers

Kathleen Ryerson: 25 teachers

Town Campus Learning Center: 17 teachers

Walter C. Polson Upper Middle School: 54 teachers