Less Than 1 Percent of Michigan Teachers Rated 'Ineffective'

Out of over 95,000 Michigan teachers, more than 97 percent were rated “highly effective” or “effective” by their administrators.

Only 0.8 percent were rated "ineffective." More than two-thirds of the 3,796 schools rated every teacher in one of the top two categories.

For the past few years, the Michigan Department of Education surveyed and reported school evaluations as a condition of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 — also known as the federal stimulus program. Teachers can be rated “highly effective,” “effective,” “minimally effective” or “ineffective.”

Jan Ellis, a spokesperson with the Michigan Departmet of Education, said that since the ratings system is so new, schools are evaluating educators differently.

"In the past, schools have had evlaution systems, but they've differed greatly," Ellis said. "This is an effort to ensure they are using common elements so that teachers can really be prepared.

"Starting next year, it will be done based on an education pilot that is ongoing in recommendations from [the state]." 

Of schools with more than 10 teachers, 42 rated every single educator “highly effective.” The 860 schools with more than 10 teachers rated every educator "effective" — no one was rated "highly effective" and not one was rated "ineffective." 

In the past, some Michigan public school districts have been rated as "failing" by the state, yet had every teacher rated "highly effective" by the district.

Ellis said she think most educators are effective, but for those who aren't, the evaluation system will give them the opportunity to improve.

"Educators will receive more regular feedback and professional development," she said. "This provides a new opportunity for districts to give every teacher important information on how they can improve their teaching skills, which they want to do."