Letter: Proceed with teacher evaluations

In response to "Principals: Slow down" [News, Nov. 3], I agree that an evaluation system for all school personnel based on measurable criteria is important, especially for school districts with poor achievement results. I have taught graduate-level courses in tests and measurement at two local colleges and have published refereed articles in the field.

I also agree with the principals that a pilot program would be beneficial as a means of identifying strengths and weaknesses in the rating system and making adjustments. There are flaws in the proposed system and many variables that influence student performance that schools are unable to control.

However, what these principals really seem to want is to maintain the status quo. Will slowing down raise student achievement in districts that have a mediocre or poor history? Will slowing down improve the quality of classroom testing, or the likelihood that high school graduates will be able to perform in college?

Recognizing that there are many variables that schools cannot control does not lessen the responsibility to overcome difficulties. My experience suggests that school personnel, from the superintendent to the classroom teacher, are woefully unprepared to measure student achievement using test development and analysis. Thus, the sooner school personnel receive in-depth training, and the sooner an evaluation system is implemented, the sooner there will be accountability for all concerned.

Steven S. Corbin, East Rockaway