The Fuzzy
The public release of
teacher evaluation
scores is unfair and
misleading—and it
Critics of the public release of teacher evaluation scores ometimes liken these ratings to the scarlet letter worn by Hester Prynne in bold action. In the realm of public education, this has meant a rapid
expansion of systems intended to hold
schools and teachers accountable for
student performance. Such account-
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel.
ability has been applied to schools for
provides little useful
information for parents.
The comparison is apt. But public
school teachers who are subjected to
public shaming because of their stu-
10 years under No Child Left Behind.
But there is still considerable debate
over whether individual teachers
dents’ test scores can rarely expect the
should face public accountability for
Aaron M. Pallas
opportunities for redemption offered to the results of their evaluations. After
Prynne, whose humility and good works all, personnel evaluations in most
over time changed the meaning of her
scarlet A from “Adulteress” to “Able.”
sectors of the economy are viewed as a
private matter between employer and
U.S. political and economic leaders
tell us that serious problems require
employee. Should it be any different for
teachers?
