Memphis Takes Reform to the Big Easy
MCS to Participate in Conference Hosted by American Educational Research Association
MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- During a national discussion on the importance of effective teaching, Memphis City Schools (MCS) will share its innovative model for assessing teacher performance with experts from across the country on Tuesday, April 12, in New Orleans. MCS has undertaken a major education reform push, which includes its Teacher Effectiveness Initiative, launched in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Memphis developed its new teacher effectiveness measure before Tennessee passed regulations requiring all districts to evaluate their teachers each year. Memphis' model heavily influenced the state's guidelines for these evaluations and Memphis expects to be exempt from using the state-provided guidelines.
Rorie Harris, Ph.D., and Kristin Walker, Ph.D., both of MCS, will make presentations on the urban district's creation of a cutting edge, evidence-based method of evaluating teacher effectiveness. Their presentations will take place at a conference hosted by the American Educational Research Association.
"Memphis was ahead of the curve in creating a fair and objective policy that looks at teachers from all angles. It considers information from multiple sources as a basis for performance evaluations," said Harris, who heads the district's TEM office. "I'm happy to share what we've learned in Memphis with other districts that are focusing on teaching effectiveness as a way to boost student learning."
Walker will present a case study examining reform in MCS in regard to teacher effectiveness during a discussion of urban education and the public good.
For more information about the conference, please visit: http://www.aera.net/.
For information on education reform in MCS, visit: http://www.mcsk12.net/TEI/.
Memphis City Schools does not discriminate in its programs or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, age or genetics. For more information, please contact the Office of Equity Compliance (901) 416-6670.
SOURCE Memphis City Schools
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