Jackson schools and evaluations

Tuesday, July 14, based on the recommendation of superintendents, the Jackson R-2 Board voted to tie teacher evaluations to student performance including standardized tests. In an article in the Missourian on Thursday, Aug. 7, district superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson is quoted speaking against Amendment 3, an amendment to Missouri's constitution that would require teacher evaluations to be tied to student performance including standardized tests. Dr. Anderson is quoted as saying, "The proposed amendment to the Constitution would create more restrictions on the evaluation process and would impact the ability for Missouri school districts to attract quality teachers and principals, especially in high-risk or low-performing schools."

It seems as though Dr. Anderson is perfectly OK with throwing his teachers under the bus when he can say "MSBA or DESE made me do it," but when it comes to a ballot measure he says that the very thing he pushed his own board to approve would "create more restrictions." Maybe Dr. Anderson would like to explain to his staff why he flip-flops with their livelihoods. By the way, we have been trying to tell people that this was coming for two years but nobody listened and now it may be too little too late.

BRAD NOEL, Jackson