A Timely Book Review

Operation Public Education (OPE) is a "comprehensive approach that focuses on what we all know is key - the development of highly effective, not simply highly qualified, teachers."
We review the book A Grand Bargain for Education Reform: New Rewards and Supports for New Accountability, published by Harvard University Press, at a time when Colorado - and consequently, Adams 14 - are embarking on a journey to implement Senate Bill 10-191. The implications of this bill are that every school district in Colorado will soon be required to evaluate teachers and principals according to criteria established by the state's teacher effectiveness council. Half of this evaluation will be based on value-added assessment data.
The premise of A Grand Bargain is that value-added assessment data is an accurate and reliable method of evaluating teachers based on student learning growth over time; however, the authors also propose that simply holding teachers accountable for growth in the standards and accountability era isn't enough. Growing effective teachers is a much more elaborate process. As we review this book, we will pose reflection questions for Colorado and for Adams 14 to understand the practical application of the OPE model.