Who Should Get “Ineffective”? A Principal’s Ethical Dilemmas on Teacher Evaluation

Abstract

School principals play a critical role in evaluating teachers and providing feedback, but high-stakes evaluation policies at the local and state levels can create ethical dilemmas for principals. In this case, an underresourced rural school principal has to report a certain number of “ineffective” teachers to meet a requirement from the district teacher evaluation, even though the principal does not think any teacher in his school deserves to receive an “ineffective” rating. This study can be used to help students unpack issues of dilemmas coming from consequential accountability policies that overlook the relational ethos of educators and leaders in school practice.

Cream Skimming in an Early College High School: A First-Year Principal’s Dilemma in a High-Performing Campus

“…This case can be viewed through the construct of ethical leadership. Principals often confront ethical dilemmas in their work which require them to engage in ethical leadership practices (Arar et al, 2016, Arar & Saiti, 2022; DeMatthews & Izquierdo, 2017, DeMatthews & Serafini, 2021; Crawford, 2017; Ehrich et al, 2015; Kim & Lowery, 2021). A popular definition of ethical leadership is as follows: “the demonstration of normatively appropriate conduct through personal actions and interpersonal relationships, and the promotion of such conduct to followers through two-way communication, reinforcement, and decision-making” (Brown et al, 2005, p. 120).…”

Ethical leadership, ethical dilemmas and decision making among school administrators

“…However, Kim and Lowery (2021) illustrated how district and state policies in Michigan are responsible for developing ethical dilemmas in teacher evaluation. They stated that principals face moral dilemmas on teacher evaluation due to state policy.…”

School principals’ experiences of ethical leadership during times of accountability : complexities, dilemmas and dynamics.

“…He mentioned that, in some instances, he ended up deliberating the best alternatives to pursue (which in the main is the essence of dilemmas) (Fransson & Grannas, 2013;Yin et al, 2014). Evidence provided in the above extract from the interview is supported by findings from a Michigan (USA) study of under resourced schools that also suggested that school principals experienced dilemmas that are related to educational policy issues (Kim & Lowery, 2021).…”

“…In dealing with these dilemmas, school principals have to choose the right option to pursue. Also, the findings from a study conducted in the USA in under resourced rural schools in Michigan indicated that school principals faced dilemmas that are related to educational policy issues (Kim & Lowery, 2021). In Israel, a study conducted from 30 mid-level school leaders from different districts concluded that school principals experienced ethical dilemmas from recurring tensions in caring for students and educators under their leadership, on one hand, and the need to follow formal rules, regulations, and professional standards, on the other (Iftach & Shapira-Lishchinsky, 2023).…”