TNTP analyzed the impact of state and local policies and practices on the teacher workforce in Chicago Public Schools and to made recommendations to increase the concentration of highly effective teachers in CPS. Findings include:
- Ineffective evaluations: Teacher evaluations fail to reflect differences in teacher effectiveness and identify almost all tenured teachers as “Superior” or “Excellent.” The process also fails to provide teachers with feedback that helps them improve their instruction.
- Layoff decisions based exclusively on seniority: Layoff decisions are based exclusively on seniority even though teachers and administrators think other facto, including many related to teacher effectiveness, should be considered.
- Confusing certification rules: The state’s certification hampers the district’s efforts to fill vacancies in its hardest to staff subject areas, and teachers don’t receive the support they need to navigate the certification renewal process.