Matthew James Turner

Matthew Turner's Response:

If this information is to be used to evaluate teachers, then that is fine, but first, it must be admitted that the presentation of this data is flawed. Secondly, if someone ever has an issue with my performance as a teacher then the professional thing to do would be to address it behind closed doors in the principal's office, and not in a newspaper. This is an act of desperation on behalf of the L.A. Times because journalism has a bleak future to say the least. Unless of course news can be generated at the expense of others. What did William Randolph Hearst say? "You furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war." Only now it should say "You furnish the data and I'll furnish the war." I was fortunate enough (in this case) to have had good students whose scores could be raised through good instruction. Yes, it was hard work, but I feel that my colleagues work just as hard and are just as capable if not better teachers than I am. I constantly look to them for advice and ideas, yet they have been labeled, and will be viewed by future parents, as teachers who have average effectiveness on student performance. Why? Because they teach gifted students who constantly perform well, and thus there is little or no room for change in their scores. Please don't start labeling us until you truly understand what is we do on a daily basis and what the consequences of your actions will be.