The Private School Teacher Evaluation Process: A Qualitative Case Study of Private High School Teachers’ Perceptions of the Evaluation Process by Site Administrators

Abstract

With increased awareness of student achievement in today’s schools, examining ways to evaluate teacher performance and the effectiveness of teachers has become an area of focus. Tuition-based private schools risk closing if they cannot maintain quality programs and have high levels of student achievement. This qualitative study examined private school teachers’ perceptions of the evaluation process’s influence on their teaching practice. This study specifically focused on knowledge of leadership practices and using teacher evaluations as a tool in the evaluation process. Three theoretical frameworks, transformational leadership, motivation, and path-goal theory, were the lenses used to study this process. Purposeful sampling and semistructured interview protocol were used for data collection. Thematic analysis was performed to examine interview transcripts for codes and emerging themes. This study provides insight into the perceptions and desires of high school teachers toward the teacher evaluation process and informs leadership to make changes. This could advance changes in the process that could positively affect student achievement.