U-46 deal would change teacher grading

The vote to approve the new teacher employment contract in Elgin Area School District U-46 could hinge on whether teachers are willing to overhaul the way they are evaluated.

The proposed evaluation tool is based on research-based best practices, and replaces an antiquated, subjective system, Elgin Teachers Association President Tim Davis said.

But a group of teachers -- some of whom wore yellow "vote no" stickers to a recent information session -- has charged that the proposal is vague and overly complex.

Bargaining teams have reserved the right to update the document after the contract is ratified.

And the new system does create more work for the district's 2,400 teachers, particularly new, pre-tenured teachers.

Under the proposed system, supervisors would observe first- and second-year teachers at least three times annually, and twice annually the next two years.

New teachers also would participate in up to six conferences a year with their supervisors and prepare portfolios with work samples, including lesson plans, a copy of classroom rules, some evidence of communication with parents, and student assessments.

Tenured teachers participate in classroom observation and conferences with supervisors as well. They also must demonstrate a commitment to professional growth, by pursing advanced degrees, conducting research or documenting their improvement in a certain area.

A cornerstone of the evaluation system is a research-based definition of effective teaching that includes 66 different criteria by which teachers would be judged.

Most area districts already have moved toward a similar research-based method, Davis said.

"Simply stated, the current system has no connection with … best practices," Davis said, "and it does not support increased student performance. It is a relic from a bygone era."

In May 2005, teachers rejected a similar -- though not identical -- plan. At the time, teachers were miffed because principals had been trained in the system before union members voted on it, leaving the perception that the new plan was a done deal.

This time, the district will not train anyone until teachers ratify the new contract, Davis said.

"We certainly weren't going to make that mistake a second time," Davis told teachers.