THE WTU GATHERS CRITICAL FEEDBACK ON THE NEW DCPS FRAMEWORK AND IMPACT EVALUATION SYSTEM DURING FOCUS GROUP SERIES
L: Focus group participants engage in discussions about the impact of the new DCPS teaching and learning framework.
R: WTU Director of Professional Development and Educational Issues Dorothy Egbufor and WTU President George Parker listen to feedback during the focus group.
During the month of September, the Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) held a series of highly informative focus groups around the new DC Public School's (DCPS) Teaching and Learning Framework and the new teacher evaluation system entitled, IMPACT. The purpose of these focus groups was to provide a platform for members to share critical feedback and authentic descriptors of how the Teaching and Learning Framework and IMPACT are unfolding in their local schools. In addition, participants were provided the opportunity to share ideas and recommendations for areas of improvement in the implementation process. About 100 members, consisting of classroom teachers at all grade levels, mentor teachers, librarians, instructional site-based coaches, and related service providers from over 50 schools participated in the focus group discussions which took place at the American Federation Teachers headquarters for three consecutive Wednesdays. Discussions were led by both, WTU President George Parker and Dorothy Egbufor, Director of Professional Development and Educational Issues.DCPS officials were also on hand for two of the sessions to listen and respond to questions and concerns.
The WTU administered a survey and questionnaire in order to document teacher reactions and satisfaction with the training and implementation of the Teaching and Learning Framework and IMPACT system.Overall participants of the focus group agreed that both the Teaching and Learning Framework and IMPACT system are not ready for full implementation due to the lack of training for some participants and/or incomplete and insufficient training received. In addition, focus group participants expressed concerns that the IMPACT evaluation process offers very little support to teachers and was designed primarily to give DCPS another subjective way to fire teachers."You're giving us partial training and training on-the-go on a new process. Yet, we will be expected to implement these things in full and evaluated on our performance of something we don't fully understand and on which we have not received adequate training. This is simply not fair," commented one of the participants from an elementary school to Brian Pick, from the DCPS Office of Academic Services.
Other overarching issues and uneasiness gathered from the group around both new structures, include unclear expectations for teachers, the lack of a comprehensive teacher support and professional development system, omitted rubrics for dual language and inclusion classrooms. Protocols for Master Educators, loose plans for the use of existing curricular materials, and a blurred IMPACT measurement system for the Individual Value-Added component and teachers who instruct children with disabilities were additional concerns. For more information about the focus group discussion and outcomes,click here.
WTU PRESIDENT PARKER DISCUSSES COMPLICATED ISSUES ON PBS "LEARNING MATTERS" PODCAST
DCPS Chancellor Rhee and WTU President George Parker
Over the past two years, PBS "Learning Matters" has featured a series that follows DCPS Chancellor Rhee's attempts to reform DC Public Schools. Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) President George Parker has been interviewed extensively for this series and speaks on topics such as: the role of unions, the national implications of the contract, tenure, performance pay, teacher evaluations, and hiring and firing policies. PBS has just released a series of podcasts around these interviews. To listen to this podcast, click here.
