First Rate-A learning pathway
First Rate
Case Overview
Kelly Danvers is not a new principal, but she’s new to Worthington South Elementary. As she completes her teacher evaluations at the end of the year, she’s unsure whether to rate veteran teacher Dan Sanderson “Developing” or “Proficient.” Dan’s strong classroom community and culturally-responsive practices are inspiring, but Kelly has yet to see him deliver an effective literacy lesson, despite three observations.
Should she adhere strictly to the district rubric—thus placing Dan on an Improvement Plan—or deviate from it, potentially risking her own job in the process?
You can find and download the full case study below.
Key Questions You Will Explore
- How can educational leaders identify the values that are important to them, their stakeholders, and their institutions?
- What is values-driven leadership?
Hear from the Experts
Why is this issue a real dilemma? Watch short video commentaries to explore the complexities, challenges, and values at stake in this case.
As you watch each video, consider the following questions:
- What resonates with you in this video?
- What questions does this video raise for you?
- How does this video impact your understanding of the dilemmas in the case?
On Patterns and Protocols
Carolina Brito, Principal in DC Public Schools, answers the question: How can leaders build values-based discussions into existing systems and structures?
On the Art of Reframing
Rydell Harrison, Program Coordinator at Partners for Educational Leadership, answers the question: How can leaders balance values-based decision making with practical constraints?
Additional Resources
- In this case, characters wrestle with how a teacher’s performance should be measured. The article “Human Teacher Evaluation” (redirect) argues that instead of assessing teachers by their students’ performance, the system should evaluate teachers on other metrics to improve school culture.
- Does it matter how teacher evaluation data is collected? The Harvard Best Foot Forward Project (redirect) supports using teacher-collected videos for evaluation: teachers provide videos of their teaching to show mastery instead of solely relying on a supervisor's observation. The project promotes this approach to enable a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of a teacher’s skills.
- Take a moment to research your country, state, or local teacher evaluation model. Start with the website of your state department of education; you might also check your district website or ask your supervisor to point you to existing rubrics for your school.
- The Shanker Institute explores changes to teacher evaluation in their overview “Rise and Fall of the Teacher Evaluation Reform Empire (redirect),” which highlights the challenges in creating, implementing, and accepting teacher evaluations.
- How can we foster discussions about the merits and challenges of rubrics and choosing what to measure? Explore “Getting Teacher Evaluation Rubrics Right” (PDF) to learn the different questions educators can unpack together.
Case Reflection Questions
- What ideas presented in the case were new or surprising to you?
- What experiences have you had with teacher evaluation (as a teacher or an evaluator)?
- Which dilemmas in the case resonated most with you?
Are You Hoping to Lead People Through This Learning Pathway?
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- guidance on customizing your pathway
- best practices for normative case discussions
- detailed protocols for each case
- discussion questions for different audiences
- extension activities for personalized learning
Want facilitation materials and guidance just for this one case? Download the Case Facilitation Guide!
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What's Next? Exploring the Other Cases in this Pathway
This pathway contains five cases and supporting materials that explore dilemmas related to educational leadership in K-12 settings. Click on each case below to learn more and to access the resources.
An instructional coach in a charter network with five schools faces challenges as she attempts to roll out a new culturally-responsive curriculum. While the curriculum was developed and implemented successfully at the network's Downtown campus, it has drawn concerns from both parents and teachers at the Coastal location. Should the instructional coach heed these concerns and modify or delay the rollout of a curriculum she deeply believes in?
How can instructional leaders balance their own values with the values and concerns of the communities they serve?
A pair of seventh graders in Madrid take a topless photo of a female classmate using WhatsApp and forward it to the rest of the class. While the girl in the photo hopes never to hear about the situation again, members of the teaching and administrative staff wonder whether the incident should serve as a learning opportunity for the whole student body.
When the entire school community is affected by behavior that happens at home, how should teachers and school leaders respond? What responsibilities and limits does the school have to discipline students for out-of-school behavior?
In 2021-2022, Arlington, VA, faced criticism from teachers and parents when the district announced a plan to make homework more equitable by eliminating deadlines and other requirements.
How can schools address inequalities in the resources available to students when it comes to homework completion? What can schools do to level the playing field between students who have ample family, social, and financial resources to support their educational success and students who have access to fewer such resources?
Want to Learn More?
Full Normative Case Study Library
Check out more normative case studies related to dilemmas in education.
Ethical Leadership in Polarized Times: A Brief-Cases Suite
Explore this collection of normative “brief-cases.” Each one-page case is designed to help educational leaders discuss ethical challenges wrought by social and political polarization.
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EdEthics | Values-Driven Leadership Video Playlist
Watch all the videos in our series of expert commentaries on values-driven leadership from school and district leaders, researchers, and leadership coaches.
