Carlos Rodriguez

A 4th grade teacher at Fries 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, Rodriguez ranked:

Average overall.
Average in math. Students of teachers in this category, on average, did not gain or lose significantly on the California Standards Test compared with other students at their grade level.
More effective than average in English. Students of teachers in this category, on average, gained about 2 percentile points on the California Standards Test compared with other students at their grade level.

Rodriguez's LAUSD teaching history

2002-03 through 2008-09 academic years

Fries Avenue Elementary, 2009 - 2003

Carlos Rodriguez's Response:

I am happy to report that my school has met and surpassed LAUSD scoring mandates on the CST for the last past two consecutive years, and with 90% security this will be the 3rd consecutive year of improvement! However I am sad to report that this article on teacher effectiveness gets a "least effective" grade due its "black and white" content and lack of gray. It's naive to think that the teacher’s criteria explanations included in this article tell the whole tale! There are countless factors that contribute to the learning of all students and how well they perform on the California Standardized Test such as: lack of per students funds, social economic background, highly impacted classes, working single parents, and of course language barriers, to name a few. This article is nothing more than an attempt to mislead parents and put sole blame on the teacher in order to deviate from the previously mentioned. This article is nothing more than an attempt to cause turmoil and finger pointing within UTLA and LAUSD. It is a transparent article that can't conceal the black eye that L.A Times has bestowed upon itself. I am in favor of exposes, however it is highly recommended to report complete and accurate information not just the ones pertinent to a hidden agenda. "I am Carlos Rodriguez, and I approve this message."

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.