A Continuous Improvement Model for Teacher Development and Evaluation

A Rationale for Change Today our country faces unprecedented challenges—from a “great recession” and increased global warming, to soaring healthcare costs and declining retirement security. These complex issues require an informed citizenry to debate and decide our future. But our current industrial model of education is not adequately preparing our students to successfully meet the challenges of a knowledge economy. Students must be exposed to a rich and rigorous education. They must master deeper core content knowledge than ever before as well as acquire a new set of skills to deal with the increasingly interconnected and technological world. Unfortunately, the mission of public education and consequently, the curriculum and the role of teachers, have been narrowed by those who would insist on making student performance on standardized tests the hallmark of effectiveness for schools and teachers.