Support New Mexico's teachers. Do not dismiss the lawsuit brought against the NM PED and Hanna Skandera.
The Issue
As concerned parents, we fear that the current teacher evaluation system used by the New Mexico Public Education Department is detrimental to our children's learning environment and jeopardizes their quality of education. Because of the resulting demoralization and highly punitive effects, we are losing some of our most highly qualified educators.
The teachers have filed a lawsuit to put a stop to these evaluations. The current evaluation system is unfair because of the following reasons:
1) 50% of the evaluation is based on student achievement which is highly dependent on high-stakes testing and is not indicative of a teacher's true value in the classroom. Teachers can score highly effective in their classroom observations by administrators yet receive an overall minimally effective rating solely because of student test scores. Research does not support any correlation between student test scores and teacher effectiveness. No other state in the country places as much weight on standardized test scores. 50% is too high.
2) Teachers are penalized in their evaluations for using their allotted sick days. A teacher who is rated effective can be dropped down to minimally effective just because they had to use some of the sick days already allotted in their contracts.
3) These evaluations are factually inaccurate. The formula used to calculate the scores has been discredited by the American Statistical Association, as well as a number of other research-based organizations, as being an ineffective method of evaluating teachers. (www.amstat.org)
4) This system is excessively punitive. Teachers who are (often inaccurately) rated ineffective or minimally effective may be placed on probation and are unable to renew their licenses. This is not only emotionally devastating, it also puts their jobs and livelihoods at risk.
As devastating as this evaluation system is for our teachers, it has the potential to be even more devastating for our children. Great teachers are the backbone of our educational system, and we are losing them. We cannot afford to lose any more.
On June 17, 2015, Hannah Skandera and the Public Education Department will ask that the teachers' case be dismissed. Support our teachers and ask the Honorable David Thomson to at least hear their case.
Drafted by Elaine Peabody, Carrie Jones, and Leslie Beckett.
The Issue
As concerned parents, we fear that the current teacher evaluation system used by the New Mexico Public Education Department is detrimental to our children's learning environment and jeopardizes their quality of education. Because of the resulting demoralization and highly punitive effects, we are losing some of our most highly qualified educators.
The teachers have filed a lawsuit to put a stop to these evaluations. The current evaluation system is unfair because of the following reasons:
1) 50% of the evaluation is based on student achievement which is highly dependent on high-stakes testing and is not indicative of a teacher's true value in the classroom. Teachers can score highly effective in their classroom observations by administrators yet receive an overall minimally effective rating solely because of student test scores. Research does not support any correlation between student test scores and teacher effectiveness. No other state in the country places as much weight on standardized test scores. 50% is too high.
2) Teachers are penalized in their evaluations for using their allotted sick days. A teacher who is rated effective can be dropped down to minimally effective just because they had to use some of the sick days already allotted in their contracts.
3) These evaluations are factually inaccurate. The formula used to calculate the scores has been discredited by the American Statistical Association, as well as a number of other research-based organizations, as being an ineffective method of evaluating teachers. (www.amstat.org)
4) This system is excessively punitive. Teachers who are (often inaccurately) rated ineffective or minimally effective may be placed on probation and are unable to renew their licenses. This is not only emotionally devastating, it also puts their jobs and livelihoods at risk.
As devastating as this evaluation system is for our teachers, it has the potential to be even more devastating for our children. Great teachers are the backbone of our educational system, and we are losing them. We cannot afford to lose any more.
On June 17, 2015, Hannah Skandera and the Public Education Department will ask that the teachers' case be dismissed. Support our teachers and ask the Honorable David Thomson to at least hear their case.
Drafted by Elaine Peabody, Carrie Jones, and Leslie Beckett.
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Petition created on May 28, 2015