Take the Seeds Along with the Fruit

A teacher with whom I work shared an article with me today, written by Iowa's former Director of Education, Dr. Jason Glass.  He is now the superintendent of Eagle County Schools in Colorado.  In response to the teacher's curiosity about my thoughts on the article, I wrote the following, and thought you (gentle reader) may enjoy hearing them as well.

 

 

 

At the heart of substantial and lasting improvement (and how, indeed, does one decide whether a school needs improving or not, and who is the one doing the deciding?) for me is in his phrase, "Treat educators as professionals."

This is done in a number of important ways.  The most obvious is the wage of a teacher, but modern research has established that more pay alone will not improve student achievement or teacher retention, nor will the promise of a bonus or threat of a cut increase effort.  Actually, these methods have a detrimental effect on employee work habits.

Then, there's the degree to which a teacher is trusted and empowered to be a leader within the organization.  This has more powerful and longer-lasting benefits than just a wage increase.

Also, how are teachers regarded by society at large?  Why don't we we enjoy the same status as doctors or other 'professionals'?  Is it because it is so easy to gain entry into our profession, with far lower standards of base-level quality than many other professions? 

Regarding evaluations as a means to improvement, no, I don't believe a system is improved by quantification alone.  You can't fatten a calf by weighing it.  But, if we're talking professional-quality standards, then physicians, CEOs, and specialists of all types must certainly meet clearly defined quantifiable expectations to remain employed, or even licensed.  So as part of a comprehensive "we ought to be treated like professionals" package, we need to be willing to take the seeds along with the fruit.

The quality of my work as a principal should be judged by our drop out rate, AND our graduation rate, AND our post-secondary success rate, AND the retention rate of employees new to my building, etc...and if those indicators are satisfactory to those who hold me accountable, then pay me a competitive wage and ask me to keep coming back to deliver more of the same.