Updates on Teacher Effectiveness

Chalkboard Project Teacher Effectiveness Update

Greetings!

In a effort to improve our communications with you, we are experimenting with shorter, more frequent emails. Each month you will receive an email on teacher effectiveness, a shorter Chalk Talk, and an Oregon education policy update. Our hope is that these three emails provide a deeper look into our work, and also into the research and organizations that are shaping the education landscape in our state.

If you would rather continue to only receive 'Chalk Talk' instead of these three shorter emails please send an email to info@chalkboardproject.org. Or, if you would like to forward this email click the "Forward email" link at the bottom of the page.

If you have any feedback or suggestions for topics you'd like the Chalkboard Project to address in monthly emails please let us know. You can reach us at 503-542-4325 or info@chalkboardproject.org.

Thank you!

The Widget Effect

The New Teacher Project asks: If teachers are so important, why do we treat them like widgets?

The Widget Effect, a report released earlier this year by The New Teacher Project, reflects findings from the study of teacher evaluations and dismissals in four states and 12 diverse districts, ranging from 4,000 to 400,000 students in enrollment.

The report illustrates five findings:

1) All teachers are rated good or great.
2) Excellence goes unrecognized.
3) Professional development is inadequate.
4) Novice teachers are neglected.
5) Poor performance goes unaddressed.

In response to these findings it suggests these solutions:

1) ADOPT a comprehensive performance evaluation system.
2) TRAIN administrators and other evaluators.
3) INTEGRATE the performance evaluation system.
4) ADDRESS consistently ineffective teaching.

If you would like to read more about the 'Widget Effect' visit the New Teacher Project Widget Effect Web site.

In addition, if you would like to read expert opinions on the report we encourage you to visit the National Journal's expert blog on education.

If you have an opinion about the report or would like to start a conversation about teacher effectiveness visit the MentoringEducators.org bulletin board to discuss.

Visit
www.chalkboardproject.org
for information on all of our initiatives

Chase Provides Scholarships for National Board Certification in Portland and Salem

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced that JPMorgan Chase will provide $1 million in scholarship funds to teachers who are seeking National Board Certification, the highest credential in the teaching profession.

JPMorgan Chase scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis to teachers in the Portland and Salem school districts. To qualify, teachers must form a three-person cohort to pursue National Board Certification at their school. To learn more about these scholarships, call 1- 888-908-3337, or visit the NBPTS Scholarship Web page.