Debate Worthy?

The NY Times have a heated debate going on right now about Assessing a Teacher's Value.

So interesting.

For example, things I've never thought of:
"The reasons are simple. Test score gains are caused by many variables in addition to the teacher: students’ learning and language background, attendance, supports at home, previous and current teachers, tutors, curriculum materials, class sizes and other school resources. Out-of-school time matters too. Summer learning loss accounts for more than half the achievement differential between high- and low-income students. Thus, researchers have found that the very same teacher looks more “effective” when she is teaching more advantaged students -- and less effective when she teaches more students who are low-income, new English learners, or who have special education needs."

Hmmm...so many variables that cannot help a teacher when they are having just a value-added evaluation...

So many interesting opinions. I'm glad we've begun this discussion.