November 1994: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Question: The author worked on these standards for four years. Why is he unhappy with them?

Answer/Quotes: “The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has focused on the creation of a large scale assessment where scoring reduces teachers’ complex performances to numerical ratings and canned feedback.” P. 25.

“Board certification—and this is why I was attracted to it—was intended to be professional development, an occasion for teachers to explain and reflect on their teaching in the company of their colleagues.” P. 40.

Comment: Teachers need the opportunity to show and explain what they do. According to the author of this article, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards does not provide this opportunity. The long-term result of this decision by the Board was to leave evaluation of teaching performance in the hands of standardized tests. RayS.

Title: “Schizophrenia, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards’ Policies and me.” Anthony R. Petrosky. English Journal (November 1994), pp. 33-42.