WTU Pushes to Change Teacher Evaluation System

Nathan Saunders, the newly elected president of the Washington Teachers' Union, said after speaking to teachers that his top priority will be changing the way they are evaluated.

The more than 400 teachers present at a union meeting this week raised concerns that included their relationship with principals, professional development and especially the teacher evaluation system called IMPACT.

"It's a one-size-fits-all method, and it's very subjective," said Shakira Oliver-Kee, who teaches math and science at Brightwood Education Campus in northwest D.C.

Oliver-Kee said she's recieved good evaluations, but more than 150 teachers were fired for poor evaluations last year. This year, more than 700 teachers and staff members could be fired if they don't improve.

IMPACT doesn't need union consent.

Saunders said he's going to keep pushing until there's a change.

"I believe that eventually this mammoth monstrosity called IMPACT -- structured the way it's currently structured -- will be brought down," he said.

The WTU will present Mayor Vincent Gray's administration with a report in two weeks.

Listen to the complete story at wamu.org

Copyright 2011 WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright WAMUo - WAMU
Contact Us