Marilyn Sweet: Teacher evaluation system flawed

Colorado is again starting a “new” teacher evaluation system perpetuating the myth that “teacher effectiveness” is the primary driver behind student achievement.

The most important variables in student achievement are the mother’s level of education and the socioeconomic level of the family. These variables have been proved in study after study. This cowardly beating up of teachers is of no real value.

Google “Student Achievement Variables” and read the research abstracts. It takes 2 minutes. Only the non-scientific manipulated research by those with an agenda shows teacher effectiveness as an important variable. A cursory glance at the test results by individual school reveals that the higher the socioeconomic level of the parents, the higher the scores.

Meanwhile, millions of dollars and hours are being wasted by our country to “improve” teachers. This effort has been unsuccessful across the board. It has had the boomerang effect of discouraging many talented young people from ever considering teaching as a viable career.

We are not addressing the real need which is to start programs for parents and students to learn the skills that they need to support real and lasting student achievement. I have been a school psychologist and researcher for years and students who come to school from chaotic homes or without basic skills in kindergarten have a difficult time being effective students. We need to teach parents to support their children in learning school skills

We must demand the truth to enact truly effective reforms from our politicians and school boards. Colorado is a state with many scientists and highly educated people who must refuse to allow this multimillion dollar sham to continue. Who has the courage to say the emperor has no clothes?

Marilyn Sweet
Boulder