The state Board of Education Standards is considering fundamental changes to student-goal practices for South Dakota schools.
The assessment questioned the merit of SLOs, or Student Learning Objectives, and potential changes for SLO practice.
Presenting the draft was Hope Reichenbach, principal of teacher effectiveness in the division of learning and instruction. She described SLOs as good teaching but offered revisions.
“These items include updating the definition of professional practice rating," Reichenbach said. "Updating state minimum evaluation requirements, to eliminate the required assignment of a student growth rating based on attainment of student learning objectives, updating state minimum evaluation requirements, to eliminate the accommodation of professional practice ratings, updating alternative evaluation models to reflect the option to implement student growth ratings based on student learning objectives when evaluating teachers.”
Secretary of Education Joe Graves said this isn’t the first time the board has had this discussion. Last time, there was deadlock among board members.
“Basically they felt that they didn’t feel it was right to remove a portion of the overall evaluation that specifically addressed student growth,” Graves said.
Ultimately, a motion was made to refer this to a public hearing. Board member Phyllis Heineman said it’s a chance for more meaningful discussion.
"We do have to have more discussion on this," Heineman said. "I think the legislators, representing the public, they want to make sure somewhere within the teacher evaluation we do have a strong student growth component. However we measure it, I think we need to be convinced there is some way we are connecting it to student growth.”
That proposal was supported 6-1 with Steve Perkins as the lone no vote. The next hearing is scheduled for July.