Principals and teacher evaluation: The cognitive, relational, and organizational dimensions of working with low-performing teachers
Journal of Educational Administration
ISSN: 0957-8234
Article publication date: 29 June 2018
Issue publication date: 17 October 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how school leaders use high-stakes teacher evaluation to improve and, if necessary, remove low-performing teachers in their schools. It explores how cognitive, relational and organizational factors play a role in shaping the way school leaders implement teacher evaluation.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a database of in-depth interviews with 17 principals and assistant principals, this study uses cross-case comparisons to examine one district’s efforts to improve the performance of low-performing teachers through evaluation.
Findings
School leaders’ framing of teacher performance and their efforts to improve instruction reveal the cognitive, relational and organizational aspects of working with low-performing teachers and, if necessary, pursuing removal. Notably, this study found that cognitive and relational factors were important in school leaders’ teacher improvement efforts, but organizational factors were most salient when attempting to remove teachers.
Research limitations/implications
Because evaluating and developing teachers has become such an important aspect of school leaders’ day to day work, this study suggests that school leaders could benefit from more assistance from district personnel and that preparation programs should build in opportunities for aspiring leaders to learn more about their role as evaluators.
Originality/value
The success or failure of teacher evaluation systems largely hinges on school leaders, yet there is scant research on how school leaders make decisions to develop and remove low-performing teachers. This study sheds light on the central role school leaders play in implementing high-stakes teacher evaluation.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the school district for partnering with us on this research project. The authors also wish to recognize and thank the anonymous participants in our study for taking the time to speak with us.
Funding: this research was supported through a grant from the Spencer Foundation.
Authors’ note: all opinions expressed in this paper represent those of the authors and not necessarily the institutions with which the authors are affiliated. All errors in this paper are solely the responsibility of the authors.
Citation
Donaldson, M. and Mavrogordato, M. (2018), "Principals and teacher evaluation: The cognitive, relational, and organizational dimensions of working with low-performing teachers", Journal of Educational Administration, Vol. 56 No. 6, pp. 586-601. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-08-2017-0100
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited