Danielson’s purpose in writing this article is to outline the components for the framework of an effective tool for evaluating teachers. The evaluation of teachers is a critical component for schools and administrators as these evaluations provide the data for making daily decisions for continued school improvements. School leaders have many responsibilities. One of the most important responsibilities that a school administrator has is the process of evaluating teachers. Evaluations promote improved student learning and the continued professional development of teachers. Danielson begins by illuminating the underlying problem with teacher evaluation tools. She begins by stating the ultimate function of existing teacher evaluation tools
…show more content…
There are four levels of performance for each component of good teaching. Even with the specificity of this tool for each component, and teacher communication following the observation, the tool still may not adequately represent the teacher’s performance. The evaluator has to be able to develop professional dialogue with the teacher through “a process of active intellectual engagement”. This dialogue will allow the teacher to reflect and elaborate on professional practices during conversations. This dialogue assists the evaluator in understanding the methods and practices of the teacher. By reflecting and evaluating their practices, teachers can make adjustments to improve their effectiveness in the classroom, planning, and parent-community relations. Maintaining ongoing communication with teachers will allow the evaluator to observe qualities and strategies that may also be useful in helping other teachers improve in different areas of their profession. The implementation of this framework provides evaluators a tool by which to assess teachers on their own merit. As evaluators continue to observe and dialogue with teachers, they can consider the individual philosophies and instructional strategies embraced by each teacher. Evaluators can also offer suggestions for teachers when a teacher’s instruction strategies and practices are not effectively reaching some students. The Framework for Teaching becomes less of an evaluation tool and more of a conversational outline to narrow focus on topics that are specific to each teacher. It is a more personalized tool for evaluating teachers. The Framework for Teaching can be utilized as an effective evaluation tool because it provides a guide for observation and includes components requiring dialogue for extended evaluation considerations. Utilizing this tool, it will be important as a
There are four levels of performance for each component of good teaching. Even with the specificity of this tool for each component, and teacher communication following the observation, the tool still may not adequately represent the teacher’s performance. The evaluator has to be able to develop professional dialogue with the teacher through “a process of active intellectual engagement”. This dialogue will allow the teacher to reflect and elaborate on professional practices during conversations. This dialogue assists the evaluator in understanding the methods and practices of the teacher. By reflecting and evaluating their practices, teachers can make adjustments to improve their effectiveness in the classroom, planning, and parent-community relations. Maintaining ongoing communication with teachers will allow the evaluator to observe qualities and strategies that may also be useful in helping other teachers improve in different areas of their profession. The implementation of this framework provides evaluators a tool by which to assess teachers on their own merit. As evaluators continue to observe and dialogue with teachers, they can consider the individual philosophies and instructional strategies embraced by each teacher. Evaluators can also offer suggestions for teachers when a teacher’s instruction strategies and practices are not effectively reaching some students. The Framework for Teaching becomes less of an evaluation tool and more of a conversational outline to narrow focus on topics that are specific to each teacher. It is a more personalized tool for evaluating teachers. The Framework for Teaching can be utilized as an effective evaluation tool because it provides a guide for observation and includes components requiring dialogue for extended evaluation considerations. Utilizing this tool, it will be important as a