Private schools tackle teacher evaluations in a number of ways, and some — like public schools — are looking to tie performance to pay and revamp how teacher evaluations are handled.
Kamehameha Schools said it is working with teachers to create an "enhanced performance management system" and "integrated compensation program," though officials did not say when the changes would be rolled out.
Meanwhile, Saint Francis School in Manoa is also studying the move to performance-based pay. If approved by the school’s board of directors, the new system could be in place by next school year.
The changes come as Hawaii public schools are moving to an evaluation system based in part on student academic growth, starting with a pilot program this school year. By the 2013-2014 school year, the state Department of Education has pledged, teacher raises will be pegged to performance.
The DOE is also moving to an annual evaluation system, rather than one that evaluates tenured teachers every five years. (Currently, only DOE probationary teachers are evaluated annually).
Several Hawaii private schools said they already evaluate their teachers annually, though evaluations among schools vary.
Punahou School employs its teachers on one-year contracts, and evaluations include classroom observations, professional portfolios that feature examples of student learning and reviews of teacher-generated professional and instructional goals. In upper grades the evaluations also include student feedback.
"Through meaningful and helpful feedback and evaluation, we want to encourage and support a teacher’s professional growth," said Punahou School President James K. Scott.
Evaluations of teachers at ‘Iolani School are conducted twice every school year, and more often for new teachers. The process includes pre- and post-observation conferences and a classroom visitation.
"We try to take the approach where it’s our responsibility to provide the skills and the professional development so that teachers can teach to their best of their ability," said Gerald Teramae, dean of the lower school at ‘Iolani. "Our teachers are very receptive to seeking ways to improve their craft."
Sylvia Hussey, Kamehameha Schools vice president of educational support services, said the institution sought to revamp its evaluation system to give teachers better feedback and improve their skills.
"Traditional means of evaluation like observation and interviews provide just a fraction of what our teachers do in the classroom," she said in an email.
Hussey said the school is working with teachers to create new evaluations that focus on "continuous development of key organizational and professional core competencies." The school is also looking to come up with a compensation system that will "align and reward the effective delivery of educational programs and services."
At Saint Francis a committee made up of administrators and teachers has been meeting to come up with a performance-based pay system.
Sister Joan of Arc Souza, principal of the school, said the system would offer bonuses or higher salaries to top teachers.
Evaluations at the school are conducted annually and based largely on observations of classroom management and instructional practices.
Souza said her board of directors comes out of the business world, so she sees performance-based pay as a no-brainer. She added that in addition to a teacher’s evaluation, other factors could be taken into account when considering merit pay, such as attendance and participation in a positive climate at the school.
"We’re looking at the whole picture," she said, "just as you would any corporation."
