Teacher Support & Development

Teacher Development and Evaluation Framework
The Teacher Development and Evaulation Framework (TDEF) document presents a vision for implementing the Supporting Better Teaching and Learning (SBT&L) Policy Statement (below) passed by the UTLA Board of Directors November 10, 2010 and adopted by the UTLA House of Representatives November 17, 2010. The plan is the product of over a year's work by the Teacher Effectiveness Work Group, chaired first by UTLA Treasurer David Goldberg and currently by Secondary Vice-President Gregg Solkovits. Group members relied on extensive research as well as the experiences of UTLA members and staff, California Teachers Association (CTA) and AFT staff, and others with expertise in evaluation, professional development, and additional relevant areas.

• Teacher Development and Evaluation Framework
• Teacher Development and Evaluation Framework presentation
• Script
• Diagram
• FAQ
  (On March 21, 2012, the UTLA Board of Directors has recommended that the TDEF framework document be endorsed by the UTLA House of Representatives)
• Complete SBT&L Policy Statement (Complete Document | Executive summary-10 key points)
  (Passed by House of Representatives in November 2010)
• Working Draft Teacher Evaluation and Development Summary (powerpoint presentation)---
• Background Information (Articles, links and resources related to teacher evaluation)

BACKGROUND
In August 2010, UTLA formed a teacher effectiveness workgroup to develop a set of recommendations on teacher evaluation. LAUSD teachers have long been critical of the current teacher evaluation system that seldom provides meaningful feedback on the quality of their teaching.  In recent months, of course, teacher evaluation has taken center stage in the school reform debates.  Some highlights:

• In April 2010, an LAUSD teacher effectiveness task force released its recommendations for a three-phased plan for staff evaluations. These recommendations call for a redesigned teacher and principal evaluation process, differentiated compensation and career ladders, a restructured tenure process, support mechanisms, and legislative action steps.
• In August 2010, the Los Angeles Times published a series of articles about the effectiveness of teachers in LAUSD schools. The Times also published a database of names along with the effectiveness ratings based on test score results.
• In August 2010, the LAUSD Board of Trustees called for new teacher evaluations based in part on teachers' ability to raise student test scores.
• In September 2010, a group of business and civic leaders urged the LAUSD Board of Trustees to develop a new teacher evaluation system that incorporates student test scores.

UTLA is working on a thorough, well considered policy to guide its negotiating team and an engaged membership to make sure that we get a high-quality evaluation system. When necessary, we must have the strength to push back against teacher evaluation proposals that do not improve the quality of education.