You did it! You survived the school year. It's come to a close. And now what? Now you get to put the finishing touches on that portfolio we talked about and get ready for the teacher evaluation. What am I talking about, you ask?
You may live in a state where you are required to submit to the education department either standardized test results, an evaluation completed by a child psychologist (which is extremely expensive), or a teacher evaluation report.
The Portfolio
The teacher evaluation is an assessment completed by a licensed teacher and is completed in two parts. First, the teacher reviews the student portfolio which contains samples of the student's work during the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. The portfolio also contains information regarding books and other resources used for each subject as well as information on extracurricular activities, if physical education credits are needed, and educational field trips. Portfolio kits are available for purchase in our store.
The Interview
Next, the teacher conducts an interview of the student. Prior to 2020, only a few teachers offered online evaluations. This option is now offered by many more teachers. An electronic portfolio is emailed to the teacher. The
Secondly, the teacher interviews the student. Before 2020, online evaluations were rare, but now many teachers offer them. Teachers receive an electronic portfolio via email, review the student's work, and the materials and resources utilized before interviewing the student. During this session, the teacher asks the student about their work. Elementary students might be asked to read a book passage to evaluate their reading fluency or Lexile level. Parents may also be questioned. The interview would take place over Zoom or any other type of video call. Following the interview, the teacher compiles a report for the parent and, if deemed appropriate, will promote the student to the next grade with a certificate included in the report.
The Feedback
Even when it's not required, a parent might opt for a teacher evaluation to assess their child's development. The insights gained from the teacher's feedback can guide adjustments in your approach to enhance your child's educational experience. Additionally, this information proves useful in preparing for the upcoming school year.
In the past, I have asked my children's former schoolteachers to conduct the evaluations. Some teachers will be comfortable helping in this way. I have also used organizations like Evaluation Station who offer online teacher evaluations. The cost varies depending on whether in-person or online. These evaluations generally cost $50 or more. If you can fit this in your budget, the teacher evaluation is valuable for both you and your student.
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