I have heard a lot of talk about "teacher evaluations" and the role
these will play in the new accountability model. I have also heard
quite a bit concerning the "Danielson Model". I am supposed to be a
member of a book study in Sandoval, IL (sorry Jennifer and Linda), but I
don't seem to ever find the time. However, I did buy the book. So, I
am reading the book. I will share my thoughts and research over the
coming weeks as I get to the chapters. Here are some thoughts and
observations of mine after reading chapter 1. Danielson's framework for
teaching involves 4 main domains with 22 components. The domains are:
(1) Planning and Preparation; (2) The Classroom Environment; (3)
Instruction; (4) Professional Responsibilities. Why do we need a
teaching framework? I like what Danielson had to say, "such procedures
are the public's guarantee that the members of a profession hold
themselves and their colleagues to high standards of practice." I also
like her statement "it conveys that educators, like other professionals,
are members of a professional community."
Teaching is complex.
It is physically demanding. It is emotionally demanding. It is
cognitively demanding. I love what she says, "teaching is a thinking
person's job." I don't know how many times I have told people that I
have to be able to "think!" (i.e. Why I do not want to take medicine or
drink to altar my thinking at all.) We need to have clarity of mind
when we are teaching others. The responsibility is choking at times.
Most teachers to leave "exhausted at the end of the day". I know it is
extremely stressful for teachers. This is one of the main reasons why I
wanted to work in my field of expertise "instructional design and
development" and "performance technology". I know how taxing teaching
is on the human body.
So a framework may be helpful in alleviating
some of this stress. It can be valuable for novice as well as veteran
teachers. A framework provides a structure for educators to
"self-assess" (which was Danielson's goal in her original work.) The
tradition for a framework includes purposes such as accountability to
enhancing the profession.
The movement towards a perfect
framework continues. Educational research, state standards, and
national frameworks have make contributions to the movement. The uses
for a framework include: recruitment and hiring; road map for novice
teachers; guidance for veteran teachers, and communication in a larger
community.
One particular non-profit organization funded in part
by the Milkin Family Foundation is TAP: The System for Teacher and
Student Advancement. http://www.tapsystem.org/
I have had a small amount of expose to their framework as well. One of
our schools in Indiana participates in the TAP program.
What
are your thoughts about a teacher evaluation system tied to
accountability? What do you think about the Danielson model? The TAP
model? There are also others out there that I will research, but this
is enough to get us started in discussions.
Sarah
Charlotte Danielson’s Enhancing Profession Practice: A Framework for Teaching, 2nd edition provides a well-organized and very complete outline of topics to be considered when designing an evaluation tool for teachers. This outline would also be useful for teacher preparation programs, teacher mentoring programs, and professional development planning. Her work does not provide the detail necessary for implementing an evaluation and professional feedback procedure that would lead to improved teaching. It is, as stated in the title, a framework, and a good one.
ReplyDeleteThe German idiom “God is in the detail” expresses the notion that whatever we do should be done thoroughly; i.e. details are important (A later variation, “The Devil is in the details,” refers to a trick or hidden problem in the details, or that surface knowledge is never enough.). The way to design a detailed process, procedure, and instrument to guide teacher development and improvement is to begin with an outline of desired teacher behaviors, skills and required knowledge. This framework is a good place to begin. But what do we need to know about those devilish details? Each component of Danielson’s four domains has been supported with meaningful research. The trick now is to turn ideas into actions—to turn knowing into doing.
Here are some books I have found useful in providing information to fill in those devilish details:
Hattie, John (2012). Visible Learning for Teachers: Maximizing Impact on Learning. Routledge
Wiliam, Dylan (2011). Embedded Formative Assessment. Solution Tree
Marzano, Robert J. & Pickering, Debra J (2011). The Highly Engaged Classroom. Marzano Research Laboratory
Nelson, J., Lott, L., & Glenn, H.S. (2000). Positive Discipline in the Classroom, Revised 3rd Edition, Three Rivers Press
Fay, J., & Funk, D (1995). Teaching with Love and Logic. The Love and Logic Press
So many books published to help teachers and school leaders raise lots of interesting questions without providing detailed, well-founded solutions. I believe the list above can provide the foundation for developing a comprehensive model for improving teaching and teacher preparation. These books will also lead to hundreds of additional resources to help define and refine the important work of improving instruction in classrooms.
Danielson says, “…., teaching is a thinking person's job; it is not simply a matter of following a script or carrying out other people's instructional designs.”1 Supervising and developing teachers is “a thinking person’s job” too. The level at which those tasks are performed and the results depend on the skills and knowledge of the supervisors and developers. The skills and knowledge must be founded in the details that make up “best practices.” It is not enough to be able to define the latest buzzword or cite references to the latest research project. The ability to turn knowing into doing is the key to improvement.
1Danielson, Charlotte (2011-08-22). Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching 2nd edition (Kindle Locations 175-176). Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development. Kindle Edition.