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October 19, 2012

Washington board prepares for evaluations

By Nate Smith Washington Times Herald

WASHINGTON — Washington School Board members were briefed Thursday on ongoing plans for teacher evaluations.

Assistant Superintendent Paul White showed board members a web-based program showing how administrators will evaluate teachers this year. Teacher evaluation is a hot topic in education statewide this year as pay is now tied to evaluations.

White said the questions that are answered by administrators were developed as a joint effort of teachers and principals.

A New Albany-based company, Five-Star Software, helped create the web-based program used for evaluations.

White said for the five observations a year the administrator makes, the teacher is given an e-mail with the evaluation and comments within 48 hours. There are three short evaluations and two hour-long evaluations.

“It forces you to look at student achievement and what is happening in the classroom,” White said.

Teachers then have two weeks to answer any questions the evaluator might have. Principals are evaluated by White and Superintendent Daniel Roach.

Board members had several questions for White. One question posed by member Vicki Bubalo asked how difficult it is to earn perfect scores. White answered by saying that it is likely not every teacher will have perfect scores.

“When you look at the teacher effectiveness rubric, it is a high standard,” White said.

Principals and superintendents have started evaluating teachers for this school year, White said, and he wants to ensure the evaluations are a fair process.

“This is new for everyone,” White said. “We are trying to be straightforward in communication.”

CEO Program

Ron Arnold of the Daviess County Economic Development Foundation presented to the board an idea to create a CEO Program for high school students. The program, developed in Effingham, Ill., teaches juniors and seniors entrepreneurship and business from local business leaders in the community.

Washington would be the first high school in the state to be part of the program and the DCEDF will help fund the first year.

There were questions on accreditation and dual credits from colleges, but if approved, the CEO program would start next school year.

“The implications go beyond this program,” Arnold said. “We’re real excited about this.”

Personnel

The board approved the retirement of teacher Marjorie Moore-Carrico at the end of the school year.

Also approved was the resignation of Dave Harman as girls varsity track coach and the appointment of Lindsey Purdue as junior high dance coach.

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