COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
A new evaluation system for South Carolina teachers could result in failing grades. At the end of the year, it could be teachers or principals getting an A or an F.
When the state School Administrators Association does a survey, typically 400 to 500 educators respond. This time, 18,000 educators responded to the issue of evaluations and they're not happy.
"It is getting a big F with teachers," said Kathy Maness with the Palmetto State Teachers Association.
In the classroom, it's typically the students being tested. What you may not realize is teachers and principals are graded too. How that happens in the Palmetto State is about to change.
"It's roughly 60 percent on what we call professional standards, how well a teacher manages the classroom, how well they provide instruction," said Jay Ragley with the state Education Department.
It's the other 40 percent that has educators upset and the fact that it will be based off of a score that ultimately translates into a letter grade.
"We don't feel like you can just simply reduce the art of teaching to a numerical designation or to a letter grade," said Greenwood Assistant Superintendent Randy Vaughn. "There's a lot more involved in the heart of a teacher.
On Wednesday, teachers took those concerns to the State Board of Education. There's one phase that has many raising eyebrows and turning heads, it's the term "value added".
"There seems to be an over reliance on a test score given at one point in time and not a lot of other growth factors," said Kershaw County Superintendent Frank Morgan.
State educators say those will be considered.
"Student growth is where did the student start, and where did they finish, and did they have at least a years worth of growth, even if they were still behind at the end of the year, did the teacher move the needle and move them forward?" said Ragley.
Educators in settings where there isn't a traditional test could be evaluated on the schools overall performance -- something educators say they have little control over, but could ultimately affect their contract.
Educators say they'll continue to petition state Superintendent Mick Zais until they can have a little more input in the evaluation process. Zais and the state board say they welcome those comments and encourage educators to respond.
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