The Michigan Council for Educator
Effectiveness has proposed a new evaluation program for the state’s teachers
focused on fostering ongoing educator improvement rather than punishment,
differing from other states’ focus on identifying and eliminating poor
teachers.
The new proposal, which now moves to the
Legislature for deliberation and approval, is based on the philosophy that even
the highest rated educator still has room for improvement. Teacher review will
include measurements of both teacher performance in the classroom and student
growth. Further, the measurements for student growth were developed to attempt
to remove factors out of the hands of the educator, such as absenteeism.
The teacher tenure reform of 2011 required
the commission to review current educator evaluation programs and make
recommendations for changes. Upon approval by the Legislature, school districts
would be required to have an evaluation program in place for the 2015-2016
school year.