Home■NAESP Applauds Delay on Use of Test Scores in Educator Evaluation

NAESP Applauds Delay on Use of Test Scores in Educator Evaluation

Media Advisory:
Contact: Kaylen Tucker
703-518-6257
ktucker@naesp.org

NAESP Applauds Delay on Use of Test Scores in Educator Evaluation

States should apply for the “extra time” and provide more support for teachers and principals.

August 21, 2014; Alexandria, VA – The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) applauds U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and the U.S. Department of Education (USED) for the recent decision to provide principals, teachers, and students time to transition to new assessment systems by allowing states to request a one-year delay in using assessment results in educator evaluations. USED’s decision comes more than a year after NAESP and other school leadership organizations issued a joint statement calling for a delay in penalties and sanctions on schools, principals, and teachers resulting from new assessments, and for the provision of a sufficient transition period of at least two years of operational and instructional time with new standards and assessment systems.

“Principals, superintendents, and school boards, have been pushing hard for this delay, and we are pleased the Department has made the decision to shift the timeline on accountability to ease the pressure on principals and teachers who are working extraordinarily hard to implement the new standards, curriculum and assessments -- but simply need more time to get it right.” said Gail Connelly, Executive Director.  “Considering how heavily the new tests weigh on educator evaluations, we urge states to take the Department up on this reprieve, and devote the year to intensive support for principals and teachers through high quality professional learning,” she noted.

As new college- and career-ready standards and assessments were put into place, principals from across the country have repeatedly requested an increased federal, state, and local focus on a long-term implementation process that fully supports educators to make the necessary shifts in instruction. Educators have not been given the time or professional support to implement new curricula, particularly as states grapple with new policies.

In December 2013, an NAESP survey revealed the disparity in preparation and support for the principals’ role—compared to the support teachers receive—as principals work to lead implementation of new state standards and assessments. Among the concerns, principals cited inadequate:

  • Professional development opportunities to manage the change process in the schools working with new state and district guidelines;
  • Training on evaluating teachers’ instructional use of the new standards and aligning the school’s instructional focus to priorities that are identified as the transition occurs; and
  • Support or resources provided by states and districts to make available for teachers on curricular needs.

Most importantly, schools overall have not received sufficient financial resources to implement the array of school-based activities, including parent and community engagement, and must have additional time to ensure successful execution of new standards and assessment operations in the school.

“NAESP encourages the Department extend the same consideration to delaying unfair labels and sanctions on schools deemed underperforming as a result of the assessment transition issues,” she added.

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About NAESP
Established in 1921, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) leads in the advocacy and support for elementary and middle school principals in the United States and internationally. NAESP supports principals as the primary catalysts for creating lasting foundations for learning through policy and professional development, advocacy, programs, and resources for effective instructional leadership. NAESP advances the profession on behalf of all principals, providing specialized support and mentoring for early career principals. Key focus areas including pre-K-3 education, school safety, technology and digital learning, and capacity-building educator evaluation. For more information about NAESP, please visit www.naesp.org.