Amrein-Beardsley: Houston’s VAM is a Sham

February 24, 2016 //

Audrey Amrein-Beardsley and her graduate students analyzed the results of Houstin ISD’s hefty investment in value-added measurement of teachers. Houston spends a cool $500,000 a year to implement VAM.

Is is it working?

No.

Categories Accountability, Education Reform, Houston, Teacher Evaluations, VAM (value-added modeling)

7 Comments Post your own or leave a trackback: Trackback URL

drext727 says:

February 24, 2016 at 2:07 pm

Reblogged this on David R. Taylor-Thoughts on Education.

Reply
Some DAM Poet (Devalue Added Model) says:

February 24, 2016 at 3:06 pm

“Houston’s VAM is a sham”

The possessive adjective “Houston’s” is redundant.

“Common Core and VAM”
(With apologies to the master of goofy poetry, Dr. Seuss)
DAM = Devalue Added Model

I am DAM
DAM I am

Do you like
Common Core and VAM?

I do not like them, DAM I am.
I do not like
Common Core and VAM.

Would you like them
here or there?

I would not like them
here or there.
I would not like them anywhere.
I do not like
Common Core and VAM
I do not like them, DAM I am.

Would you like them in a school?
Do you like them as a rule?

I would not like them in a school.
I do not like them as a rule.
I would not like them here or there.
I would not like them anywhere.
I do not like Common Core and VAM.
I do not like them,
DAM I am.

Would you like them with a Carter?
Would you like them with a charter?
Would you like them with a ruse?
Would you like them with a FUSE?
Would you like them with a Chetty?
Would you like them with spaghetti?
Would you like them for a firing?
Would you like them for retiring?
Would you like them in Louisiana?
Would you like them in Montana?
Would you like them for your pay?
Would you like them for a day?

I would not like them with a Carter
I would not like them with a charter
I would not like them with a ruse
I would not like them with a FUSE
Not with spaghetti
Not with a Chetty
Not for a firing
Not for retiring
Not in Louisiana.
Not in Montana
Not for my pay
Not for a day

I would not like them here or there.
I would not like them anywhere.
I do not like Common Core and VAM
I do not like them, DAM I am.

Reply
- booklady says:
  
  February 25, 2016 at 4:58 pm
  
  SDPoet, you’ve outdone yourself. Please see #2 of comment I posted 6:50 asking if you could compose a song for Big Data a la Big D song from “The Most Happy Fella” musical. All best
  
  Reply
Sad Teacher says:

February 24, 2016 at 4:37 pm

I truly think VAM is designed to make a teacher shortage, so deformers can lower the standards for becoming a teacher. Fewer and fewer people will want to invest money and time into this discouraging profession. It is already happening.

Reply
- ciedie aech says:
  
  February 26, 2016 at 2:04 pm
  
  Oh, yes, this is sadly turning out to be true. In a profession traditionally populated by women, who needs to pay for a professional quality? Pay them nothing; keep them in their place. (So they can then “leave their kitchens” and go out and vote for guys like Kasich?)
  
  Reply
Laura H. Chapman says:

February 24, 2016 at 5:30 pm

Audrey Amrein-Beardsley and students are doing a great service, and they have the talent to expose the fraudulent assumptions as few can. Cheer them on.

But wait. There are still those SLOs parading as if these are a valid and reliable way to judge the performance of students and teachers who do not generate the scores on statewide tests.

VAM, especially EVASS, is based on the assumption that there is not much difference between calculating the yields from seeds, sows and cows and the productivity of teachers and students as measured by test scores.

SLOs are based on vintage management theories (mid-century last) not used by any company that thrives, rightly called a case of “bureaupathology” in the olden days.

Reply
booklady says:

February 25, 2016 at 6:50 am

1. Per AAB’s linked article, HISD is 7th largest district in US. 75% of students are economically disadvantaged!! So much for right-to-work states.

2. SD Poet, while reading about Data in Houston, a song from “The Most Happy Fella” came to mind (not Houston) but the refrain “Big D little a double L a s.” Sure you could write us a fine parody for Big Data!

Reply