Role of Supervision and Evaluation in Education

The process by which most teachers are supervised and evaluated in our schools is inefficient, ineffective, and a poor use of principals’ time. It’s based on a flawed theory of action: that supervision and evaluation will improve teachers’ effectiveness and therefore boost student achievement. I think the process drastically needs to be streamlined and be linked a more effective strategy for improving teaching and learning. I have not seen any teacher who told me that a formal summative evaluation changed his teaching style or improved her/his instruction.

Charter schools, autonomy, and teacher unions...

 There are three premises on which all charter school operate:

Autonomy, Accountability, and Choice.

Therefore, autonomy matters for charter schools. It is the autonomy not only in human resources but also in curriculum, unique, innovative programs and opportunities that they offer to their students, financial management, school calendar, facility, and much more…

Unless charter schools have autonomy over their staff, the rest of the autonomy given to them by the state becomes less meaningful and effective. They are able to utilize all the autonomy that they have in curriculum, programs, budget, calendar, and facility only when autonomy over their staff exist. Staff is the most critical component in their success hence the autonomy over human resources.