Michael L. Thacker
A 3rd grade teacher at Dr. Theo. T. Alexander Jr., Science Center in 2010
These graphs show a teacher's "value-added" rating based on his or her students' progress on the California Standards Tests in math and English. The Times’ analysis used all valid student scores available for this teacher from the 2003-04 through 2009-10 academic years. The value-added scores reflect a teacher's effectiveness at raising standardized test scores and, as such, capture only one aspect of a teacher's work.
Math effectiveness
English effectiveness
About this rating
The red lines show The Times’ value-added estimates for this teacher. Thacker falls within the “average” category of district teachers in math and within the “most effective” category in English. These ratings were calculated based on test scores from 77 students.
Because this is a statistical measure, each score has a degree of uncertainty. The shading represents the range of values within which Thacker’s actual effectiveness score is most likely to fall. The score is most likely to be in the center of the shaded area, near the red line, and less likely in the lightly shaded area. Teachers with ratings based on a small number of student test scores will a have wider shaded range.
The beige area shows how the district's 11,500 elementary school teachers are distributed across the categories.
Thacker's LAUSD teaching history
Years used for value-added rating. See FAQ for details.
- Dr. Theo. T. Alexander Jr., Science Center, 2010 - 2007
Michael Thacker's Response:
I do not give you permission to print my name or any of my information in the newspaper, online, or any other place. Your judgment of my effectiveness is inaccurate, slanderous, and libelous. You are basing your opinion on faulty data. The CST is a biased assessment. Your "methodology" is faulty. You fail to consider the true facts. Your data does not consider the fact that students at my school are tracked by their ability. This greatly affects the performance of the class as a whole. You also fail to consider the personal factors that influence student performance. Personal experiences greatly influence student performance. I could continue with additional reasons (like parent influence, inadequate/unhealthy diet, school safety, etc.), but I know my union has already presented their position. I merely wish to let you know that if my name or information is published, I will hold you (the newspaper, owner, editor, and writers) financially responsible for all damages caused by your publication of this biased attack on me. If you need help in researching the above mentioned points, I would be glad to steer you in the right direction. Again, I do not give you permission to print this or anything else connected to my name.
The Times gave LAUSD elementary school teachers rated in this database the opportunity to preview their value-added evaluations and publicly respond. Some issues raised by teachers may be addressed in the FAQ. Teachers who have not commented may do so by contacting The Times.
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