A recent news article from the Christian Science Monitor, "Eyeing Stimulus Money for Education, States Adopt Reforms (posted Thursday, December 3, 2009 at http://www.eschoolnews.com/funding/funding-news/?i=62081), highlights the need for evaluation in making progress with education reforms.
In particular, the article points out four areas where states could receive grant money: "Establishing data systems that track students' progress from preschool through college, developing and using rigorous standards and assessments, improving teacher effectiveness and the distribution of high-quality teachers, and turning around the lowest-performing schools." The article states that the last two issues have not been addressed much because of the obscure nature of defining teacher effectiveness and developing a system to improve schools.
That's what evaluation is all about. Organizations work with professional evaluators to define topics such as teacher effectiveness, establish criteria and standards for what should be happening, and then take steps to evaluate whether or not those things are happening. Organizations may then choose to implement recommendations generated from the study to enhance and improve the program.
While creating standardized definitions, criteria, and standards for schools across the country will certainly be a more involved process with all levels of education, schools can and should start somewhere by evaluating what is working or not working in school reform (to at least establish a baseline), and then proceeding with strategies for improvement.
National, state, and local organizations must work hand in hand in order for true reform to succeed. Schools would do well to look at this grant offering as an opportunity to evaluate their current situation and then take steps toward improvement.
The Evaluation Baron, LLC can help you evaluate how your school, district, or state is doing in any of these topics. Contact us for a free initial consultation!
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