Evaluations going well in New Lenox schools
By Erin Gallagher For The Herald-News September 24, 2012 8:28AM
Updated: October 29, 2012 6:06AM
NEW LENOX — Despite teacher strikes throughout the Chicago region, New Lenox teachers appear to be happy with their evaluation process.
Assistant Superintendent Peggy Manville recently presented the teacher and principal evaluations to the New Lenox School Board.
“This has really been going over very well with the teachers,” she said. “Everyone is using the same language.”
The teacher evaluation involves four criteria for appraisal: distinguished, proficient, needs improvement and unsatisfactory. They are graded on planning for instruction, learning environment, instructional delivery and professional responsibilities.
In order to achieve an overall rating of distinguished, a teacher must have at least 18 grades of distinguished, with no areas that need improvement or are unsatisfactory.
“It’s a very smooth system, and (Manville) did a very good job of getting everybody involved,” said board President Nick Di Sandro.
In terms of principal evaluations, the law requires that the process includes student growth. If 50 percent of the students show growth, including special education students, a principal is eligible to meet expectations.
“What we are trying to do is have our children at least, at least show one year’s growth,” Manville said.
Another area where principal evaluations differ is with a self-assessment.
“They are harder on themselves,” Manville explained. “They really do set some wonderful goals.”
