My Data's Big Debut
Since the DOE started giving teachers report cards based on test score data, my feelings have been mixed. But, while I have questioned the extent to which these data reports are wholly valid and how they should be applied, I have never shied from putting myself and my disappointing data out there. While I know it's not easy, and the data is imperfect, I have felt these report cards have been a worthwhile tool to judge my performance and push myself harder.
It's hard not to feel differently though, knowing that soon my data won't just be out there for the relatively small community of Gothamschools readers and quantitatively tiny community of Bronxteach readers. As of Friday, my data will be available for the readers of The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Daily News, and NY1.
What is most terrifying about this is the fact that presumably amongst those readers are the parents of my students. I imagine that's the point of the DOE's decision to essentially go against their word to keep these reports private and release the scores to every major New York City media organization. That's fair enough. I won't argue that parents don't have a right to know the scores of their children's teachers.
However, I will argue that those scores need to be realized alongside a thoughtful and careful explanation of their meaning. In addition, the scores need to be accompanied by a responsible analysis that includes a critique of the value-added model they're predicated on. Unfortunately, I'm not hopeful we'll see either.
It's hard not to feel differently though, knowing that soon my data won't just be out there for the relatively small community of Gothamschools readers and quantitatively tiny community of Bronxteach readers. As of Friday, my data will be available for the readers of The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Daily News, and NY1.
What is most terrifying about this is the fact that presumably amongst those readers are the parents of my students. I imagine that's the point of the DOE's decision to essentially go against their word to keep these reports private and release the scores to every major New York City media organization. That's fair enough. I won't argue that parents don't have a right to know the scores of their children's teachers.
However, I will argue that those scores need to be realized alongside a thoughtful and careful explanation of their meaning. In addition, the scores need to be accompanied by a responsible analysis that includes a critique of the value-added model they're predicated on. Unfortunately, I'm not hopeful we'll see either.
Comments