How Do Americans Feel about the Evaluation of Teacher?

“61% of Americans opposed using student standardized test scores to evaluate teachers.”

“Some states require that teacher evaluations include how well a teacher’s students perform on standardized tests. Do you favor or oppose this requirement?”

In 2012, 47% opposed that requirement and 52% favored it. In 2013, 58% opposed it and 41% favored it. And, in 2014, 61% opposed it and only 38% favored it.

That’s extraordinarily significant, given the multi-billion dollar public relations campaigns across the country to support the use of student test scores to evaluate teachers. In the face of those campaigns, support for the use of test scores to evaluate teachers dwindled significantly, while opposition rose significantly. (Table 6 of Part II; pg. 51)

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Though down for the first time in five years, “a majority of Americans (64%) said they trust teachers.”

When asked, “Do you have trust and confidence in the men and women who are teaching children in the pubic schools?”, 64% nationally said yes, 64% of public school parents said yes, 58% of Republicans said yes, 70% of Democrats said yes, and 65% of Independents said yes.

Most extraordinary from my point of view is that Republicans, who would be perceived as opposed to teachers’ organizations, still seemed to trust the classroom teachers by a significant majority. (Table 1 of Part II; pg 51)

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Bottom line here? Americans trust the classroom teachers to know what they’re doing and do not want to evaluate them on a criteria (student test scores) over which they have limited control.

Ken Mortland

Member – Mainstream Republicans of Washington Board

Vice President - WEA-Retired

Charter Member - NEA Republican Leaders Conference