Holmdel Schools Look to Adopt New Teacher Evaluation Program

The Holmdel School District is looking to adopt a new teacher evaluation program with a stronger, more structured rubric.

Assistant Superintendent Mary Beth Currie said the Teacher Evaluation Advisory Committee has met since May to determine a new evaluation system for the district which follows current state recommendations.

The committee recommended Danielson's Framework for Teaching, which Currie said most closely resembles methods the district has already employed.

"Using the rubrics, we can easily expand what we are already doing," Currie said. 

Rubrics allow consistency between observors in the classroom. Generally, teachers are observed more than one per year. By following a structure, observors can also make consistent suggestions.

Board member Joseph Hammer said while the Danielson method does evaluate the amount and effectiveness of teacher and parent communication, he believes parent input should have more weight.

"Who better to evaluate whether a kid is being educated or not than the parents?"

The vote before the board for the Danielson method was simply to buy the licensing and acquire rubrics, costing $25 per school, btu Currie said the board has the option of adding to the evaluation process if the Teacher's Union accepts the conditions.

Summary of evaluation rubric:

• Planning and preparation
• Classroom environment
• Instruction
• Professional responsibilities 

The following people made up the Teacher Evaluation Committee:

Superintendent Barbara Duncan, BOE Member Barbara Garrity, HTEA President Denise King, HTAA President Brian Schillaci, Currie, Mandie Peart, HTEA Vice President Michael Welter, Diane Gothelf, John Graham, Denean Burke, Melissa Gerbino, Jeanne Remuzzi, Doreen DeMarco.