Los Angeles Principals To Have Access To Teachers' Effectiveness Ratings

The Los Angeles Times (10/17, Song) reports, "For the first time, Los Angeles school principals will see previously confidential ratings that estimate teachers' effectiveness in raising students' standardized test scores," noting that the "scores are based on an analysis the district calls Academic Growth over Time," which the piece states is akin to "value-added ratings in other school systems across the country." The piece notes that Los Angeles Unified "is in negotiations with its teachers union to use the ratings as one piece in a new evaluation system," though United Teachers Los Angeles is strongly opposed to student-based teacher evaluations. The Times notes that speaking last week in Los Angeles, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said "that he believes states should definitely use data to drive instruction and in evaluations."