McNeal Elementary teachers score highest in East County

EAST COUNTY — The 2012-2013 teacher evaluation results the Florida Department of Education released last week show an East County school has the largest number of “highly effective” instructors in Manatee County.

More than 95% of McNeal Elementary School’s teachers earned the top rating.

“It’s hard work and dedication,” said Katherine Price, an assistant principal at McNeal. “The expectation is set by our principal (Norma Scott) that each year teachers will score better than the year before.”

Only Willis Elementary’s score compared, with 93.5% of its teachers scoring as highly effective. Highly effective ratings for Manatee’s other East County schools ranged from 6% to 85.2%.

Overall in Manatee County, about 95% of teachers were evaluated as highly effective or effective. Of that figure, 51.3% ranked as highly effective and 44.1% as effective.

Statewide, about 98% of teachers were ranked in the top two categories.

Only 2.2% of Manatee’s teachers were categorized as “needing improvement.”

Ratings are based on variables, such as student test scores and principal observations of classrooms, that take into account planning and classroom management.

The state issues broad guidelines on how to measure teachers, but districts implement their own methods.

At McNeal, the administration tries to create a cultural mindset with vertical team meetings that occur weekly at the school; for example, first grade teachers meet with second grade teachers to discuss trends and observations from the week before.

The school district also administers a monthly teacher training on the Common Core State Standards curriculum.

Price also credits high retention for strong teacher performance, and said the school assigns experienced teachers to train new ones.

Potential evaluation-system changes are on the horizon; the state is trying to link pay to the scores in 2014-15. The teacher evaluations and merit pay were part of legislation approved in 2011, although some parties are fighting the changes in court.

THE RESULTS
Percentages for East County teachers deemed as highly effective and effective, respectively

Elementary     Highly effective     Effective
Bashaw           6.3%                       91.7%
Braden River 53.7%                     46.3%
Freedom         70.2%                    23.4%
Gullett              25%                       72.2%
McNeal            95.8%                    4.2%
Tara                 35%                        65%
Willis                93.5%                    6.5%
Witt                   83.8%                   16.2%

Middle
Braden River 85.2%                     13%
Haile               26%                         72%
Nolan              34%                         66%

High
Braden River 66.7%                     33.3%
Lakewood Ranch 65.6%              33.3%

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].