Monday, September 04, 2017

OUR FINAL RATING EMAIL

Did everyone get the same "Dear Teacher" email that I received in my Department of Education inbox on Friday evening?

This is how the DOE revealed our ratings.

Dear Teacher:

It has come to our attention that some employees are having trouble viewing their Advance Overall Rating in our previous email. We sincerely apologize for any confusion this has caused. Your 2016-17 Advance Overall Rating information is detailed below.

Measures of Teacher Practice (MOTP) subcomponent: Effective

Measures of Student Learning (MOSL) subcomponent: Highly Effective

Overall Rating: Highly Effective

Thank you,

-The Advance Support Team

Well you are quite welcome Advance Support Team.

Even if this rating is accurate, I cannot tell you how totally meaningless the rating is or that it gave me one second of personal pride in my achievement. 50% might be based on tests I had virtually nothing to do with and the observation part is from observations that I really didn't exactly spend much time thinking about. (Nothing against the administrator who wrote them up who is a decent guy for sure and has rated me well since 2014.)

The truth is I'm not really sure how the numbers that made up each of the two parts of my rating were calculated.

I do know the American Statistical Association thinks Value Added Models - we may use a Value Added Model for some of us in NYC - are not a good way to evaluate teachers.

This is from the ASA:
VAMs should be viewed within the context of quality improvement, which distinguishes aspects of quality that can be attributed to the system from those that can be attributed to individual teachers, teacher preparation programs, or schools. Most VAM studies find that teachers account for about 1% to 14% of the variability in test scores, and that the majority of opportunities for quality improvement are found in the system-level conditions. Ranking teachers by their VAM scores can have unintended consequences that reduce quality.  

This sounds very reasonable; doesn't it? But then again, my VAM says I am Highly Effective in that 1-14% range quite possibly on an English Regents I did not teach a class for. I am guessing that is the test they used for my rating since at Middle College we don't give any other Regents Exams. That test I did not teach a class for is worth 50% of my annual rating. Who am I to argue? The kids did well.

My rating in 2017 is as pointless as when most of us at Jamaica High School were receiving Developing or Ineffective in 2014 and we all magically improved the following year.

I have heard of a probationary teacher rated Effective overall who was discontinued. I am also aware that the DOE now subjects tenured teachers to incompetence termination hearings when they are rated Developing. Yes, the burden of proof remains on the DOE but that is how it always was under the old Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory evaluation system in incompetence proceedings. If teachers do ok in their rating under the latest rating systems, the DOE just ignores the rating and acts in a disgusting way anyway when they so desire. So when Michael Mulgrew touts his matrix as the greatest thing since the invention of the wheel, don't fall for it if you are Highly Effective, Effective, Developing or Ineffective.

I gather I can't file an appeal based on the absurdity of the evaluation system. Looking back on last year, I believe I did a good job mostly from the feedback I received from the kids even if certain unruly students destroyed certain classes sometimes. I also heard from a colleague who followed me in a room after one class and told me I always left that room with a huge smile on my face at the end of the period. That good feeling when you know you have had a good class isn't quantified on any of the stupid evaluation systems I have toiled under.

Let us paraphrase William Shakespeare for the final words on Mulgrew, Cuomo and the Legislature's latest teacher evaluation system:

It is a system made up by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

When will the madness end?

No time soon in my opinion.

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

CHECK OUT PAGE 19 OF TODAYS NY POST AFSCME VS JANUS

James Eterno said...

Is that the editorial praising right to work as pro worker? Complete bs in my opinion. That is a right wing talking point to look pro worker when the goal is to de fund unions so they are crippled and can't represent us. Yes, the UFT is in serious need of change as it is as complacent a union as you will find but the alternative is Wisconsin. Teachers and other public employees are not having a great time out there under right to work for less laws.

James Eterno said...

If it is a different article, please send a link. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Dear teacher, blah blah blah "EFFECTIVE".... BTW, YOU ARE STILL IN EXCESS... SIGN DOE...

But it get's better, ESSS now says "ASSIGNMENT STILL PENDING" when before I had a location..... Got to love that last minute shuffle !!!

Anonymous said...

Well, started early this year, not a surprise, considering who attends this event, and the fact that this happens every year, good luck not getting killed this school year...
An early Monday shooting left two people wounded ahead of Brooklyn’s J’Ouvert festival even as police beefed up security for the dawn celebration that is typically marred by violence.

Gunfire rang out in Crown Heights about 5 a.m. on Union Street between Utica and Schenectady avenues — a block away from the route of Monday’s West Indian American Day Parade on Eastern Parkway.

A 38-year-old man was shot in the abdomen and a 34-year-old was grazed in the left leg as J’Ouvert revelers were out setting up food stands and playing music, police said.

Barkim Gardener, 52, was setting up for his annual family barbecue on Union Street when he suddenly heard two gunshots over the music.

“I saw people running from Schenectady Avenue towards Utica Avenue. It was chaos,” Gardener said.

He added, “This lady held on to my hand and we ran across the street and ducked behind a truck … It’s Labor Day and everybody is having a nice time and people just want to get stupid.”

Both shooting victims, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries, told police they heard shots and felt pain at the same time.

The 38-year-old man went to Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, while the 34-year-old was treated at Kings County Hospital. They both went to the hospitals by private means, cops said.

The city this year shortened the hours of J’Ouvert in an effort to curb the violence that often tarnishes the celebration. The official pre-parade party began at 6 a.m. instead of 4 a.m.

Commenting on the time change of the J’Ouvert celebration, Gardener said, “It should have made it better, but I guess not.”

Hours earlier on Sunday night, two people were shot — one fatally — during separate incidents in Brooklyn.

A 49-year-old man took a bullet to the head at 9 p.m. on Herkimer Street, not far from the West Indian American Day Parade route, police said. The victim was rushed to Kings County Hospital, where he died.

The second shooting happened at Schenectady Avenue and St. Johns Place around 11:15 p.m.: A 44-year-old was shot in the torso and was critically wounded, cops said.

There have been no arrests in any of the incidents.

Last year, two people were shot to death at the bustling J’Ouvert festival and several others were wounded.

In 2015, Carey Gabay, an aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was killed by a stray bullet while he was walking home through the street party.

Anonymous said...

Or take the train, blacks are up to the knockout game again.
Police were searching late Sunday for a suspect who punched a 69-year-old man and knocked him down a Midtown East subway station last week.

Police learned that around 5:38 p.m. this past Wednesday in the 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue station – serving the E and M trains – the older man was approached by a man he did not know who punched him and caused him to lose his balance and fall into a metal support beam.

The victim suffered a laceration and pain to his head, police said.

The suspect ran off. The victim was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The suspect is described as a black male in his 20s, who was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, blue jean shorts, white socks and black sneakers.

ed notes online said...

And the point is? It may be time for you to move out of the city - try Maine.

Anonymous said...

I guess the point is, as far as the parade, the mayor says how we must keep this because it involved heritage...No, it involves, drugs, stabbings, shootings, and chaos, people are killed every year. How do you justify that?

Anonymous said...

Come on guys, 1009 is right, people are shot and injured every year at this parade. Its a fact. As the article says, a Cuomo aide was shot in the head, its a disaster every year
It shouldnt happen, and people make excuses.

Anonymous said...

And it also is fact that blacks constantly commit subway crime, see the stabbing 2 days ago.

Anonymous said...

Check the Chaz article, students in Utah get fined for being late. Here, they would say its racist against all the welfare recipients. Of course, it cant be normal to be on time for school.

James Eterno said...

Can we stay on topic please? This was about ratings. At least make a comment on how this relates to a rating.

Anonymous said...

I will. Our students, who our ratings are based upon, will have no trouble being at this parade, smoking, drinking and out till 5 am, will be late or absent daily, and then what, im ineffective?

Anonymous said...

Deblasio is Trump bashing on twitter again, yes, just now, as there are shootings left and right...Must be the cops fault...Or white privilege.

Anonymous said...

I have been an ATR for the past 4 years and always picked up each August by the same school as a probationary hire for the entire year. My rating each year up until this past year was effective. This year I was rated highly effective and not picked up the school. Go figure!

Anonymous said...

I have been an ATR for the past 4 years and always picked up each August by the same school as a probationary hire for the entire year. My rating each year up until this past year was effective. This year I was rated highly effective and not picked up by that same school. Go figure!

Anonymous said...

Anything to defend criminals and illegals. When does the mayor defend the middle class and people who actually wake up and go to work and pay taxes?

waitingforsupport said...

Question: If we become right to work and the union is depleted of members will this negatively affect our pension fund? I have read about some unions reducing monthly pension payments due to less membership. Remember to vote NO for constitutional amendment. Tell your family and friends too.
Good luck tomorrow and for the remainder of the school year.

waitingforsupport said...

@ ed notes online...that's a racist troll @ 10:11 am. He/she hates blacks because they intimidate him/her...him/her is always busy on this blog spewing his/her fear/hatred of blacks. Poor little thing.

Anonymous said...

As far as ratings go, janus may be heard next month...the uft brought this on themselves, I stop paying.

Michael Fiorillo said...

No, disrespect intended, James, but it might be time to consider moderating the site more aggressively, since some people just can't keep their racial vitriol, always irrelevant to the topic, from hijacking the discussion and spattering everywhere.

Eric said...

Which comment proves hating blacks? Which is false?

Anonymous said...

Not irrelevant if we are teachers and system is 85% black, and always failing Parade is 100% black and the violence shows every year. Clear relationship to student behavior, achievement, our ratings and disrespect.

June said...

Why isnt the topic the 77% out of wedlock birthrate or the idea of a parade is shooting people or they all have crime records or they all drink and smoke or the fact that they cant read coming into hs? If you cared about students, thats what needs correcting.

Anonymous said...

Any word on what doe will do if come October 15 there are no vacancies in your license area?

Anonymous said...

You can do ATR things like coverages, as per your title.

Anonymous said...

Atrs with bad records rotate,good records prob stay put.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone think doe will enforce atr rules ?

Anonymous said...

I was also told by a uft rep not to contact my district rep about atr issues bc there no one knows what will occur.

Anonymous said...

Like what specifically? If we are given a program we teach, if not, we sub.

Anonymous said...

Would like to know who to contact with ATR issues. Who is taking Amy's place this year?

Observations and ratings are a farce! Admins can twist and turn things the way the wind blows! One day you are in and the next day you could be out!

Let the contract talks begin!!!

Jr said...

Msill@uft.org

Anonymous said...

Uft wont do anything

Anonymous said...

No one is sure how the numbers are calculated because it's a scam. When something is kept a secret chances they don't want anyone looking too carefully. When something is unnecessarily complex, they don't want anyone to understand.
I'm sure the MOSL results and secret formula can be audited though. Wonder who will do it first.

Anonymous said...

So true but liberals are afraid to addres the real problems minorities face. It's easier and makes them more money blaming white supremacy. Wait until 2020 when Senator Booker is on the ticket. Where's the waiting for support person to give his or her 2 cents.

Anonymous said...

Great reply! We all know the truth and white supremacy is not the cause of problems in minority communities. Thank God for the nypd!

Anonymous said...

It is very disrespectful that Mulgrew has not sent out information concerning ATRS and who will represent those in this status.

Anonymous said...

Msill@uft.org is atr rep

Anonymous said...

Blah blah blah would disproportionately affect minority students. Not, make them do better, just give another excuse.

Anonymous said...

Right, keep lowering standards, then say its unfair, then say suspensions are unfair to black kids...Why? They do things to get suspended. Suspensions affect those who do wrong. Saying it affects one group more is saying that one group does wrong more often. Why not correct the behavior? Or enforce the rules?

Anonymous said...

2 evaluations please!!!!

Anonymous said...

Is it true that this year we are now addresses as 'pon scum' rather than 'hey you' or 'atr guy'?

Anonymous said...

I think you mean pond scum.

Anonymous said...

My favorite is being asked 'what's an atr?'

Then you explain and a neophyte goes 'oh, you're a sub?'