Schools, union collaborate on survey Teachers's views sought in Baltimore County

In another sign of the increasing cooperation between the Baltimore County school system and its teachers union, the two groups are working together to ask the county's teachers what they think of their schools and administrators.

The Teacher Perception Survey -- sent last week to every school's union representative -- queries teachers on such subjects as whether their schools effectively manage student discipline and whether principals trust and respect staff members.

"This will help us, help the principal and help the administration," said Mark Beytin, president of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County (TABCO). "The purpose of it is really for the individual schools to look at what teachers think and find ways to improve."

In the past, the county's area superintendents occasionally have conducted school climate surveys. Last year, TABCO also did a climate survey.

But this year, TABCO and the school district decided to work together, jointly crafting the questions and agreeing to share the results.

The surveys are being distributed with an introductory note signed by Beytin and Superintendent Anthony G. Marchione.

Marchione said it's important to hear teachers' opinions about their administrators, particularly because the "principal is the most important factor in the success of a school."

Pub Date: 3/03/98