Week 3: Evaluation Methods

1. Two more evaluation methods are the Goal-Free Evaluation Model and the Countenance Model.  The Goal-Free Evaluation Model was created by Michael Scriven.  This model investigates what a program is actually doing rather than what a program is intended to do.  In other words, intent is less important than the actual experience within the classroom.  The Countenance Model was created by Robert Stakes in 1967.  Though this model is older, it is still currently in use.  This evaluation model includes four separate components: checklists, peer evaluation, controlled comparisons, and standardized tests.  Though we may see fewer checklists now, there are still many campuses that require peer evaluations (in the form of walk-throughs or instructional rounds), and comparisons of lessons and scores.  Evaluators also take standardized test scores into account when evaluating teachers as well.

2.  There are so many ways to evaluate educators and educational programs.  Every evaluator is a little different from the rest.  Though there are many evaluation tools, I do think that a few more questions would be important to answer when evaluating educators.  One evaluation question that may prove valuable is how much growth has a student or group of students experienced in from year to year?  Evaluators could compare a child's scores from core curriculum by looking at baseline scores from the previous year to the current year.  By measuring student success, educators might have a clearer of student achievement.  Student motivation should also be taken into account during an evaluation.  Student motivation is a key component to successful learning.  One final component that would be valuable to evaluate would be to evaluate the students' real-world learning. In this era of NCLB, many teachers find themselves pushed to teach to the test in order to improve standardized test scores.  Local and state evaluators depend on test scores in order to measure the success of teachers and students.  In this standardized test dependent time, real-world learning seems to have taken a backseat to higher test scores.  Finding some way to measure and evaluate real-world, life-long learning that will be with students throughout their educational careers and beyond would be incredibly valuable information.

3. Situational Leadership combines leadership and management skills using three key principles:

• the amount of guidance and direction a leader gives
• the amount of socio-emotional support a leader provides
• the readiness level followers exhibit in performing a specific task, function, or objective.

If I were in a leadership position to create a series of professional development sessions on a strict budget, I would begin by budgeting the sessions.  With a strict budget that allows use of limited resources, it may also be prudent to find ways to supply professional development using in-house experts.  If there are employees on campus that are particularly good in one area, they can be used as an expert to provide the training.  Scarce resources may also force the planner to be more creative when planning.  A leader may try to join in with another campus's professional development session.  The cost of the session can be shared between campuses and a quality session may be scheduled for a substantially lower rate.

Asking teachers for their opinion on professional development topics will help teachers buy-in to the sessions. When a teacher is forced to go to a training they have no interest in, they will put their new information on a shelf somewhere and never use it.  However, teachers who are asked for their opinion and feel they were valued and heard will value the new information they acquire.  Maintaining a great attitude when dealing with all people involved will also help make everyone feel valued.  Hear everyone out (especially in this time when teachers feel underpaid and undervalued) so that everyone feels that they are important and essential in the process.  People will be open and willing to learn when they feel valued.