The education system in the United States is in bad shape. We're not performing well in math and science tests, scoring just a bit above average in both the fourth and eighth grades.
Improving K-12 education will dramatically enhance our long-term economic outlook, since we will have more students enrolling in college and in turn, a smarter workforce. The two main correctable causes are poor teaching and inefficient spending.
Scott Walker has introduced an education plan that seeks to correct these problems in Wisconsin. His plan includes an evaluation of teachers on five criteria: planning and preparation, classroom environment, quality of instruction, professional responsibilities and yearly student progress. Teachers will receive performance ratings ranging from ineffective, needs improvement, satisfactory or exemplary. These ratings will determine consequences. Teachers may receive bonuses based on good ratings, as well as lose their licenses to teach if they earn two ineffective ratings in a row.
There are pros and cons to Walker's plan. Although it's important to keep student progress a part of the teacher's evaluation process, it's nice to see Walker recognizes it's only a small part of the overall picture. Traditionally, student progress is tracked by standardized test scores. Monitoring performance by standardized test scores limits the scope of a teacher's effectiveness. Standardized testing presents a range of problems: a one-size fits all approach to the testing where all students take the same exam, no matter what level they are at, not all subjects taught in school are tested, and it provides an incentive for teachers to teach only what is on the test, especially if that is the sole evaluation criteria. Walker also includes a range of other professional responsibilities as a criterion for evaluation. It encourages teachers to be present in and outside the classroom, aiding students if they need help that extends beyond the hours of your typical school day.
Walker also seeks to decrease the amount of inefficiency that exists in schools. This is extremely necessary, as the U.S. is spending far more than other countries to get comparable or even worse results. He proposes enrolling entire school districts in a state healthcare plan, saving Wisconsin $68 million per year. He also supports posting district education expenditures online, so that taxpayers can see how their money is being spent. Public scrutiny will encourage district administrators to spend money only on necessary items.
I'm not giving Walker an ""A"" just yet. His plan lacks a lot of detail. For example, while he does specifically mention that teachers can lose their jobs with two ineffective ratings in a row, he does nothing to outline a method to deal with teachers receiving multiple ""needs improvement"" ratings. He also fails to mention what each criteria specifically entails. What makes a good classroom environment? How is quality of instruction measured? What may be a good teaching approach for one student might not be the best for another.
Even if the general idea is solid, I still question Walker's follow through. He never authored a significant piece of education legislation during his ten year stint in the assembly.
I understand experience is important and would be very helpful in education reform, but it's not essential. He will constantly have legislators and voters reminding him of his campaign promises. Tom Barrett, doesn't even have a detailed plan for reforming education in Wisconsin.
""Persistently underperforming teachers ... cannot be allowed to continue to fail students,"" Walker says on his website. He is absolutely right, and I think he does a pretty good job outlining potential ways to attack the problem. We can't keep throwing federal Race to the Top money at schools.Just look at Milwaukee. We need to start addressing inefficiencies in our system and evaluating our teachers on a consistent basis. With a little more effort on Walker's end, this plan could go a long way.
Mike Muggee is a senior majoring in actuarial science and finance. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
