New Haven Cracks Down on Poorly Performing Teachers

Thirty-four teachers are gone because of evaluations.

New Haven schools are cracking down on teachers who don’t make the grade and 34 teachers are no longer in the classroom because of the district’s new evaluation system, 

Among the teachers who the school district said voluntarily retired or resigned are 16 who were tenured. They make up a combined 1.9 percent of the district's teachers. 

“This process was fair, open and supported by teachers, principals and their unions,” Supt. Dr. Reginald Mayo said in a news release. “For those who failed to get better, there were consequences. This process shows that teachers, administrators and unions can work with school districts to improve performance and assure accountability. I look forward to further strengthening our evaluation system in the next year and beyond.” 

In May 2010, the Teacher Evaluation and Development System system received praise from the New York Times for the system because it goes beyond the typical evaluation process in which administrators observe the teacher once or twice a year. It was also lauded for incorporating how much students learn.

Under this system, even principals are under the microscope. In fact, four principals were let go from the district over the past two years.

Aside from the teachers who left, almost 75 percent of teachers and 84 percent of administrators rated effective or better and almost half the teachers originally at risk for dismissal improving significantly, according to a news release from the school.

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