Confidentiality and the Final Recommendation
Form
Since 1974, when congress passed the General Evaluation Provision Act and
an amendment, known as the Buckley Amendment, confidentiality of student
teaching recommendations are prohibited in teacher education institutions
receiving federal funds. The essence of this amendment is that teacher
interns are given absolute right to see their final recommendation. They
also have the right not to include the recommendation in their credential
file. Teacher interns at the University of Maryland can waive
the confidentiality right and maintain a confidential file if they
wish to do so.
Due Process in Teacher Intern Evaluation
Case law affirms the principle that education professionals have
the right, obligation, authority and ability to evaluate teacher interns.
The only condition is that due process must be exercised. The following
processes constitute due process in teacher intern evaluation:
-
Review the evaluation instrument and its interpretation with the teacher
intern.
a. Discuss each of the evaluation criteria for understanding.
b. Indicate what is expected from the teacher intern.
-
Observe the teacher intern, record number of observations and keep a
copy of written feedback.
-
Critique and analyze the teacher intern's performance and inform him/her
of any inadequacies so that remedial action may be taken.
-
Provide evaluative feedback on a regular basis.
-
Discuss the completed final recommendation form with the teacher intern.
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Table of Contents | Introduction
| The Teacher Intern | Planning
For Effective Instruction |
The Mentor Teacher
| The Role of the University Supervisor |
Evaluating the Performance
of the Teacher Intern |
Policies, Procedures and
Professional Ethics
Return to Teacher Education Home Page
Please contact Dorothy McKnight, Placement Coordinator,
for questions or comments about this site.
Last updated on November 25, 2002