Brandy Sylvia Noble

A 5th grade teacher at Cheremoya Avenue Elementary in 2009

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 2002-03 through 2008-09 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.

Overall value-added effectiveness

Math effectiveness

English effectiveness

This chart shows where teachers in this effectiveness category fall on a distribution of all teachers’ scores.

Compared with other Los Angeles Unified teachers on the value-added measure of test score improvement, Noble ranked:

Least effective overall.
Least effective in math. Students of teachers in this category, on average, lost about 10 percentile points on the California Standards Test compared with other students at their grade level.
Less effective than average in English. Students of teachers in this category, on average, lost about 3 percentile points on the California Standards Test compared with other students at their grade level.

Noble's LAUSD teaching history

2002-03 through 2008-09 academic years

Cheremoya Avenue Elementary, 2009 - 2007, 2005 - 2003

Brandy Noble's Response:

It is unfair that a teacher be rated soley on test scores. I was on medical leave for 3 months in 2009 and my principal did not put a long-term substitute in the classroom. Also, the attitude of the principal is so important! In every school, the principal has his/her favorites. If you are not a "brown-noser" then it is difficult to get the support and guidance that is needed.

Teachers who get highly ranked are most likely "cookie cutter" teachers: those who robotically read their scripted teacher's edition and follow a program, exactly. When does creativity, fun, laughter, and inspiration enter the classroom? Why do these kids have to miss out on the learning experiences that private/charter/non-minority schools offer?

This year I experienced cheating on the CST amongst my colleagues. Yes, cheating. This will be a serious problem in the future...it's already going on and it will get worse.

I know I am a good teacher, that I add value to each student's learning year and that my students are doing well. I give my students so much. This year I will need to change my philosophy of teaching history, art, physical education, dance, and music...I will "teach to the test" as I believe that is what my current principal desires. The direction we are going in is wrong...for the teachers, students, parents, and community.

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.