Teacher Reality Check: The Evaluation Game

This month, Leah pulls back the curtain on teacher evaluations. And what she uncovers might surprise you. Whether you’re labeled “effective” may have less to do with your teaching and more to do with your state’s politics.In this episode:How Michigan’s evaluation rules just changed—and why Alabama’s haven’t.The research showing teachers control only 1–14% of test scores.How union strength shapes evaluation policies.Why treating teaching like rocket science gets it all wrong.Key takeaway: If working with humans is harder than rocket science, maybe teacher evaluations shouldn’t be reduced to a formula.Leah breaks down the latest policy shifts, the “geographic lottery” of evaluations, and the dangerous lesson we send students when we make test scores entirely a teacher’s responsibility.Perfect for educators who want to cut through the noise and understand what’s really behind the evaluation game.