Test Results to Be Reflected in Teacher Evaluations

Test Results to Be Reflected in Teacher Evaluations. February. 18, 2009 09:00. foryou@donga.com kini@donga.com.

The results of a state-administered test of scholastic ability will be reflected in teacher performance assessments and promotions, the Education, Science and Technology Ministry said yesterday.

Principals whose schools show improved scores in the test will be granted greater authority in personnel management and can retain exemplary teachers even if their mandated periods to stay at a school have expired.

“The standardized test of scholastic ability for students should be linked to the evaluation of teacher performance,” said Vice Education Minister Lee Ju-ho at Jeongok Elementary School, a pilot school for the teacher evaluation system.

“The results of the test of scholastic ability nationwide showed that the higher the grade, the larger the number of students who show below-average academic standards. This is a reminder of the important role teachers should play.”

The ministry will push for the passage of the teacher evaluation system at the parliamentary extra session this month. This will set up the legal grounds for the results of the test being incorporated into teacher performance.

“The test results will provide concrete data. This will allow us to create a system that punishes principals if the share of students who score below average is more than 10 percent for three consecutive years,” Lee said.

“The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will link the test results to the assessment of principals and vice principals. In a similar vein, linking the test results to personnel management will be left in the hands of each city and provincial education office.”

The Seoul educational office announced the same day a plan to boost scholastic ability and ease disparity in education. Under the plan, principals whose schools score in the top three percent in the test will receive preferential treatment in promotions and transfers, while those whose schools belong to the bottom three percent will face disadvantages.