August 17, 2016
Tennessee Educators Overwhelmingly Support Classroom Accountability
Yesterday’s release of the 2016 Tennessee Educator Survey highlights another piece of Tennessee’s historic student achievement gains – when there is accountability for all involved in our classrooms, all involved in our classrooms find success.
More than 30,000 educators completed the Survey, now in its sixth year, and the results showcase the value teachers place in Tennessee’s statewide evaluation system to not only give them a snapshot of their own success in the classroom, but to offer real opportunity to grow in their profession. Accountability in the classroom cannot exist for its own sake, but as a tool to encourage, enhance, and direct student success.
More than 2/3rds of educators offered the accountability system as a reason for improvements in teaching and student learning. Perhaps more encouragingly, 71% of teachers mentioned the accountability system as the reason for improvement in their teaching strategies. Nearly all teachers receiving feedback from the state’s evaluation process recalled an improvement in their teaching as a result and 90 percent of teachers report that their school leaders protect their instructional time.
Tennessee’s teachers are a key piece to student success and no reform can exist without their engagement and support. The Tennessee Educator Survey ensures our teachers’ voices and perceptions on education reforms and policies are heard.