Developing and Intruducing a Programme of Teacher Appraisal

Abstract

Appraisal of performance is soon to become a mandatory requirement for all schools within the state education system. The Government envisage making Regulations in Autumn 1989 which will require LEAs to introduce programmes of teacher appraisal over a four year period.

Currently six pilot programmes are in operation developing expertise and understanding in appraisal of performance. A recent statement from the Consortium of School Teacher

Appraisal Schemes (1988) suggests that:

(i) each teacher should be appraised by a single appraiser while each head teacher appraisee should be appraised by at least two appraisers;

(ii) the frequency of the appraisal should be once a year for teachers and once every two or at the most three years for head teachers;

(iii) an individual appraiser should not normally be involved in more than five appraisals in anyone year.

The National framework for appraisal has not yet been published. However, it is likely to reflect the findings of the pilot programmes. It is therefore clear that the introduction of teacher appraisal has enormous implications for those involved in managing and organising Design and Technological activity. Inservice training will be essential if teachers of Design and Technology are to participate in the development and introduction of programmes of performance appraisal based upon National Guidelines.