Weston Board of Education Votes 7-0 to Overhaul Teacher Evaluations

Stating that “the evaluation of teachers can be a sensitive topic if not guided by the proper principles,” Assistant Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice informed the Weston Board of Education that the schools’ new method of supervising instruction will promote professional growth through frequent observation and feedback.

The current method of teacher evaluation, which asks an administrator to observe one pre-determined teaching session over a three-year period, “did not promote professional growth and didn’t push the bar high enough,” Scarice said.

“The process became more important than the growth,” he added. “It didn’t impact teaching and learning as intended.”

The new plan will significantly increase the amount of time that administrators spend in the classroom observing the teachers.

New Superintendent of Schools Dr. Colleen Palmer stated that she believed administrators would spend approximately “20 percent” of their time observing teachers and providing feedback to them, which could amount to as much as 250 to 300 hours per year.

In addition to the increase in the amount of time that administrators will spend observing teachers, there are several other differences between the old and new plans as well.

A teacher scoring rubric containing three points – performing at, above and below the standard – will incorporate the district’s AIM  initiative, which asks students to apply learned facts to real world problems.

The AIM initiative has become “an expectation and condition of employment,” Scarice said, not just an ideal for teachers to aspire to.

“We wanted something more authentic” than the traditional observation, he added.

Under the plan, administrators will make short, unannounced visits to classrooms and provide frequent, brief feedback.

In addition, teachers will be required to annually reflect on their own performance in a written self-evaluation.

Board member Les Wolf asked if the new plan would “weed out professionals” who don’t meet Weston’s standards.

Scarice replied that the plan “clearly articulates” the process, and that the administration is interested in identifying “at-risk” performers who would be provided with additional support. The program will also honor top performers who consistently exceed the district’s standards.

Board Vice Chair Ellen Uzenoff noted that the program is “for the betterment of everyone.

“I would love to hear mid-year how it’s going, right around budget time,” she said.

Board Chair Phil Schaefer agreed. 

“The ultimate beneficiaries will be the students,” he said.