Newfoundland teachers' perceptions of formative teacher evaluation: relationship to quality of evaluation, teacher commitment and professional involvement

• Main Author: Mills, Leon A.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1997
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/11049/; https://research.library.mun.ca/11049/1/Mills_LeonA.pdf

The purpose of this study was to measure Newfoundland teachers' perceptions of the relationship between formative teacher evaluation practices and the overall quality of the evaluation experience, the perceived levels of teachers' commitment to their schools and teachers' professional involvement in their work and professional development. At the time of this study, there were 29 school districts (since reduced to 10), with each having their own teacher evaluation policies. The Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association (NLTA) has placed an emphasis on formative teacher evaluation since 1982; however, a review of policies from districts across the province indicated that formative teacher evaluation practices are carried out to varying degrees. -- Data were collected from a random sample of Newfoundland teachers (n=229) and subjected to multiple regression analysis. This study found that statistically positive relationships existed between the use of formative teacher evaluation practices, the overall quality of the teacher evaluation experience, teacher commitment, and professional involvement (p < .0005). All three of the hypotheses chosen for the study were supported. -- The results suggest that variations of practice existed between individual school's and/or district's teacher evaluation policies. Some teachers reported that while their school districts had policies that promoted formative teacher evaluation practice, in reality, these policies were not emphasized in practice. As well most teachers reported that they were evaluated by either their superintendent/assistant superintendent and/or their principal/vice principal; however, the majority of teachers felt that the best person to evaluate them and to determine the degree of teacher growth and professionalism was either themselves or a fellow teacher which may suggest that teachers prefer formative teacher evaluation practices. -- The results of this study reinforce the validity of formative teacher evaluation practices as a viable alternative ...