Evaluating One Public School District's Teacher Evaluation Program and its Implementation| A Qualitative Case Study

• Main Author: Raymond, Jillynne K.
• Language: EN
• Published: Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 2017
• Subjects: Educational evaluation|Educational leadership|Education policy|Educational administration
• Online Access: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10284435

<p> This qualitative case study analyzed a teacher development and evaluation program implemented in an independent school district in Southeast Minnesota. Teacher effectiveness is a complex construct, which makes teacher evaluation challenging. Three stakeholder group&rsquo;s perspectives were analyzed in this multiyear qualitative case study. Through interviews, teachers and administrative team members&rsquo; perspectives were gathered in the 2011-2012 academic school year and the implementation team members&rsquo; perspectives were gathered five years later in the 2016-2017 academic school year. The qualitative data was analyzed to answer the research sub-questions: (a) how and to what extent did the 2011-2012 implementation of the district&rsquo;s Teacher Professional Growth Protocol build a foundation to meet the 2014-2015 Minnesota Statute requirements on teacher evaluation?, (b) how and to what extent did the district&rsquo;s Teacher Professional Growth Protocol engage teachers in reflective practice focused on growth?, and (c) how and to what extent did the district&rsquo;s Teacher Professional Growth Protocol build a foundation for continuous improvement? Triangulated data indicated commonalities as well as discrepancies in perspectives resulting in two lessons learned: (1) research and practice align; bridging the two is a concern; and (2) continued and expanded application of implementation science is needed for system effectiveness. There is a discrepancy bridging research and practice, which this study demonstrates. The findings indicate a strong need to reallocate time to meet the needs of a public school district to develop its teachers and to grow their effectiveness. </p><p>