ah yes, if one is having a problem then let's make a law for everyone . . .
The Education Committee of the Nebraska Legislature heard testimony concerning a proposed statewide teacher evaluation plan.
Martha Stoddard reports in an Omaha World-Herald on-line article that Legislative Bill (L.B.) 809 offered by Omaha Senator Scott Lautenbaugh would "require evaluations annually for permanent teachers and once a semester for probationary teachers."
Stoddard adds, "The evaluations would have to include a minimum of 90 minutes of classroom observation done by a school administrator."
Folks representing two groups, the Administrators and the Teachers Association, voiced opposition to the bill. From an educator standpoint however, opposition wasn't universal as the Omaha Education Association supports the bill.
I'm not really sure why the Omaha Education Association supports the bill since they are traditionally one of the most fervent of the teachers' groups in the state. But that's their view.
Mine is pretty simple. I served on a local school board for eight years. I'm a firm believer that more decisions that are made at the local level, the better for our kids. I just don't believe in one size fits all.
As a school board member, your top priority is to hire a quality Superintendent who then hires quality principals and educators. Our job as a school board member is not to hire coaches or staff, that is why you have a Superintendent and administrators. You hire them and let them do their jobs. You evaluate those administrators each year and you can decide not to extend a contract for the next school year if you choose to do so.
In general, educators in our various school districts in Nebraska do a very good job in the classroom. Are there some that need some guidance, certainly but that is the case in any business or establishment.
Where I differ with some of my fellow conservatives on education is that I'm a local control proponent. What is best for our school district should fit the needs of
our kids. There are some districts in Nebraska that face challenges that the rest of us do not to the degree they do, in particular in the area of English as a second language. Those districts need the flexibility to tailor their program to fit their diverse student population.
In general, districts across Nebraska have almost the same common goals yet within that frame work, districts need to be allowed to formulate programs and solutions that fit their communities.
And for me, flexibility is a key component. You have your overarching philosophy but you must have the ability to make subtle adjustments as conditions warrant. Too much state or federal control restricts that ability to adjust quickly and effectively at the local level.
While State Senator Lautenbaugh should be commended for his interest in improving the educational opportunities for our children, I agree with Nancy Briggs, associate superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools who said, "It worries me that we're trying to legislate what I would call a personnel problem, people not fulfilling their responsibilities, by a bill that causes the rest of the state to change practice."
Or as another said during testimony, we are "chasing nonexistent problems."
If the Omaha Public School system has an issue with Administrators not doing their job in evaluating teachers, and it appears that they must since both the OPS board and teachers' association support the legislation, then they need to find solutions within their district and not make the rest of us suffer for their shortcomings.
