GED4801

Teaching standards and teacher evaluation

Associate Professor L C Ingvarson

12 points - 3 hours per week - Summer semester - Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have developed a clear conception of the range of purposes for teacher evaluation; be able to demonstrate an understanding of research on various schemes designed to relate pay to performance in teaching; be able to assess the validity and feasibility of approaches to setting standards for teaching: be able to examine critically emerging methods for the appraisal and evaluation of teaching.

Synopsis This subject critically examines recent developments in teacher evaluation for the purposes of professional development, professional certification, accountability and promotion. Particular reference will be paid to the recent reforms to career structures such as the Professional Recognition Program and the 'advanced skills teacher' classification. We will look at a range of ways of conceptualising teacher evaluation and the policy contexts within which various schemes have been developed in Australia, the UK and the USA. Students will be expected to review research on a range of methods used for the evaluation of teaching. In addition, we will examine studies evaluating the implementation of teacher evaluation schemes in a number of school systems and school contexts within Australia and overseas. Implications for teacher evaluation policy at school and system levels will be examined.

Assessment Two individual assignments (2000 and 4000 words): 25% and 50% - or - One individual assignment and group project: 75% - Contribution to class discussion and learning: 25%

Recommended texts

Darling-Hammong L and Millman J (eds) The new handbook of teacher evaluation Sage, 1990
Ingvarson L C and Chadbourne R Valuing teachers' work: New directions in teacher appraisal ACER, 1994
McLaughlin M Teacher evaluation Teachers College, 1988
Millman J (ed.) Handbook of teacher evaluation Sage, 1981

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