[Montclair, New Jersey - July 22, 2015] Last week, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) released a new database showcasing school-by-school results of its 2013-14 teacher evaluations.
Based on stipulations defined in the TeachNJ Act, a 3-part data suppression protocol was implemented by the State excluding information that prevents a full and complete understanding of each school. It was determined that 99 percent of Montclair’s public school teachers were ranked “Effective” or “Highly Effective.”
More Information can be found directly at http://www.state.nj.us/education/data/staff/.
The following is a statement from Montclair Kids First (MKF):
“In creating Montclair Kids First, our intent has been to begin an honest conversation about our school system.
“It is hard to fathom that a school district with such a sizable achievement gap and two designated “Focus Schools” has a 99 percent teacher “Effective/Highly Effective” rate.
“It is fair to say that almost no one -- not our parents, not our principals, not our teachers -- actually believes that our current teacher evaluation system is serving our kids well.
“The dirty secret in Montclair is that many parents have already identified the good and bad teachers. Parents who have the time, resources and knowledge go to great lengths, behind closed doors, to ensure their child is placed with teachers with the best reputations, leaving the poorly regarded teachers with the students who need the most help.
“Montclair has a choice. We can continue to embrace the status quo and do nothing or we can decide to hold a different standard than other New Jersey school districts.
"Teachers who are moving the needle on student achievement deserve to be affirmed and recognized for their efforts. We minimize the efforts of our best teachers by suggesting that everyone is “Effective.” We owe it to our teachers to adopt an evaluation system that works, that they can embrace, and ultimately ensures we are investing in the professional development that our teachers want and need. We are not doing that right now – and our kids are suffering for it.
“Montclair Kids First knows that showcasing these and other issues are controversial and challenging. We respect those who feel that way, but to ensure we are providing the best educational environment for our kids, we as a community need to be bold. We can either aspire for true greatness, or simply have it defined for us by a rubber stamp.
“Montclair Kids First believes that creating an effective and fair evaluation system is an important bedrock to addressing our achievement gap and ensuring we attract, retain and support the best possible teachers. As parents, and resident taxpayers carrying the 13th largest tax burden in the State, our kids and community deserve better. Creating positive change starts with an honest dialog. We have great optimism and trust in the leadership of our new Interim Superintendent and hope we can come together as a community to make our evaluation system an important priority.”
Based on stipulations defined in the TeachNJ Act, a 3-part data suppression protocol was implemented by the State excluding information that prevents a full and complete understanding of each school. It was determined that 99 percent of Montclair’s public school teachers were ranked “Effective” or “Highly Effective.”
More Information can be found directly at http://www.state.nj.us/education/data/staff/.
The following is a statement from Montclair Kids First (MKF):
“In creating Montclair Kids First, our intent has been to begin an honest conversation about our school system.
“It is hard to fathom that a school district with such a sizable achievement gap and two designated “Focus Schools” has a 99 percent teacher “Effective/Highly Effective” rate.
“It is fair to say that almost no one -- not our parents, not our principals, not our teachers -- actually believes that our current teacher evaluation system is serving our kids well.
“The dirty secret in Montclair is that many parents have already identified the good and bad teachers. Parents who have the time, resources and knowledge go to great lengths, behind closed doors, to ensure their child is placed with teachers with the best reputations, leaving the poorly regarded teachers with the students who need the most help.
“Montclair has a choice. We can continue to embrace the status quo and do nothing or we can decide to hold a different standard than other New Jersey school districts.
"Teachers who are moving the needle on student achievement deserve to be affirmed and recognized for their efforts. We minimize the efforts of our best teachers by suggesting that everyone is “Effective.” We owe it to our teachers to adopt an evaluation system that works, that they can embrace, and ultimately ensures we are investing in the professional development that our teachers want and need. We are not doing that right now – and our kids are suffering for it.
“Montclair Kids First knows that showcasing these and other issues are controversial and challenging. We respect those who feel that way, but to ensure we are providing the best educational environment for our kids, we as a community need to be bold. We can either aspire for true greatness, or simply have it defined for us by a rubber stamp.
“Montclair Kids First believes that creating an effective and fair evaluation system is an important bedrock to addressing our achievement gap and ensuring we attract, retain and support the best possible teachers. As parents, and resident taxpayers carrying the 13th largest tax burden in the State, our kids and community deserve better. Creating positive change starts with an honest dialog. We have great optimism and trust in the leadership of our new Interim Superintendent and hope we can come together as a community to make our evaluation system an important priority.”
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