The Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators

A State Unit of the Association of Teacher Educators
and The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

 

JULY 20, 2011

 

PUBLIC COMMENT TO PENNSYLVANIA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Greetings, and thank you for providing the opportunity for public comment. My name is Dr. Fred Savitz, and I am President of the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators. I would like to take just a few moments to address the work of the State Board of Education as it examines approaches for assessing the effectiveness of teachers and administrators employed in Pennsylvania’s public schools. Specifically, I would like to urge the Board to view assessment within the context of eight guiding principles:

  1. that assessments be designed to reflect professional expectations for supporting student learning and achievement.

  2. that assessment be a collaborative activity that includes input from other teachers, administrators, parents and students.

  3. that assessment procedures provide resources for planning and for positive classroom learning environments.

  4. that assessments recognize and value the diversity of students and teachers.

  5. that assessment procedures demonstrate collaboration with other teachers, administrators, parents, and other education professionals to ensure student success.

  6. that assessments are based on valid and reliable sources of data that are used in ethical and responsible ways.

  7. that assessment criteria not be limited to student standardized test scores, as these are but one measure of what students have learned.

  8. that assessment procedures take into account the continuum of teacher professional development as well as the resources and supports provided for classroom instruction within the school district (i.e., mentoring/induction of beginning teachers, resources, community support).

The Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (PAC-TE) espouses core beliefs that express a commitment to advancing highest quality teacher preparation programs aimed at a single goal: the opportunity and right for all learners to achieve. Stemming from this commitment is PAC-TE’s conviction that every student at all levels and in all settings has the opportunity and right to learn with the most highly qualified and effective teachers possible.