The evaluation process should be an intrinsic part of the student teaching experience in that it helps to interpret and to give perspective to all aspects of the teacher candidateís performance. Evaluation should be as routine as teaching, should cover every part of the experience, and stress analysis and reflection rather than criticism and fault finding. A comprehensive approach to evaluation involves ongoing analysis of plans, procedures, alternatives and implications so that teaching will be improved. This type of evaluation is an essential part of growth.
Teacher interns need to be taught how to make valid judgments about his/her own teaching so that throughout their professional career improvement as a teacher will result largely from applying these reflective skills. The goal of the cooperating teacher, should be to enable the teacher intern to achieve an increasing ability to evaluate his /her own teaching effectiveness. For this to happen, a considerable amount of time must be devoted to reflecting on and discussing teaching concepts and performances.
Effective evaluation focuses on concern for the teacher intern's progress and the improvement of teaching. A simultaneous analysis of both is more likely to produce acceptance by the teacher intern. If a teacher intern approaches evaluation feeling that the cooperating teacher and he/she are working on a problem together, he/she will be more receptive to accepting both negative and positive formative feedback. Please refer to the section on coaching for guidelines on providing formative feedback.
A successful student teaching experience should prepare a teacher intern to perform at a level that is consistent with professional standards for a beginning teacher. As the mentor teacher you will be responsible for assisting in the achievement of that level of proficiency which will qualify the teacher intern for entrance into the teaching profession. Please refer to the performance standards for beginning teachers beginning on page 6 of this handbook. These standards will assist you in assessing your teacher intern's performance and in writing the mid point and final evaluation.
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
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Experiences Home Page
Last updated on Tuesday, March 30, 1999
