Ways to Evaluate Teachers' Professional Performance in the Context of Performance Based Payment Policies

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to analyze the opinions of secondary and high school teachers and administrators regarding the performance evaluation of teachers in the context of performance-based payment policies. In this research, in order to learn about participant views about the subject, basic qualitative research design which is one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The study group is made up of a total of 38 participants, 16 of which were school administrators and 22 teachers from different branches working in secondary and high schools in Gaziantep, Turkey in the academic year of 2018-2019. Maximum variation sampling method as one of the purposive sampling methods was adopted. The data was collected through focus group interviews and individual interviews by using semi-structured interview forms and data were analyzed with content analysis. Based on the research findings, it is understood that most of the teachers and administrators have positive perspectives on performance evaluation process provided that teacher performance evaluation policies are applied democratically. On the other hand, some of the participants showed negative attitude toward the subject. They think that teachers will have difficulty accepting performance system and resist to it. In addition to these findings, participants stated that authorities who will implement this system should be experts in their fields to be able to prevent teachers from experiencing any difficulties. The participants were also asked about the criteria and qualifications to be used in the evaluation of teacher performance, and they offered a variety of ideas that could be applied in teacher performance evaluation system.