Noemi Guzman

A 4th grade teacher at Morningside Elementary in 2008

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, Guzman 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.

Guzman's LAUSD teaching history

2002-03 through 2008-09 academic years

Morningside Elementary, 2008 - 2006

Noemi Guzman's Response:

In 2007, I taught 4th grade English-Language Learners (ELLs) on B-track.
After conducting 2 intervention classes (160 hours) and VOLUNTEERING to tutor my students, they gained 50 points ON AVERAGE on the CST in English Language Arts. The average result in math was a 7 point drop. THIS WAS MY FIRST YEAR TEACHING 4th GRADE!
In 2008, I taught 4th grade ELLs on D track. After 120 hours of Intervention and VOLUNTEER tutoring, my students' scores rose 30 points on average on the CST in English Language Arts.
In 2009, I taught 4th grade ELLs on B track. With 80 hours of intervention they gained 20 points on average on the CST in English Language Arts.
I would have accepted a lower ranking in math - that isn't my strength. You need to recheck your data. I have done this data on myself for 3 years.
This does not represent the value added or how hard I worked. I am a Nationally Board Certified teacher, and hold a Reading Certificate.
You claim that this system does not penalize teachers who work with poor students. Your interpretation of my scores makes me think otherwise.

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.