TRIPOD STUDENT SURVEYS - PILOT SURVEYS

Understanding that there are many questions and concerns about student surveys being part of the teacher evaluation system in the future, the UFT advocated for a small pilot this year and an expanded pilot next year so that we have as many facts at our disposal as possible before any stakes are attached. To that end, the UFT and the DOE have agreed to pilot the student surveys in a subset of schools this year rather than all schools as the state education commissioner had ordered in his decision. A letter was sent to many schools this week inviting them to participate in the pilot. School participation is voluntary, and no school can participate in the pilot if the chapter leader does not agree. The UFT’s position has always been that student surveys should be used for formative purposes only. The UFT will be monitoring the process very closely and seeking feedback from our members at the pilot schools, and will advocate for conditions that allow for student voice to be heard and our members' professionalism to be respected and protected.