When people first hear the idea of evaluating teachers to make sure they are doing a good job, they often react favorably. Sure, we want good teachers.

But what criteria do you use? The amount of knowledge the students learn? The amount of self-esteem they gain? The degree to which they enjoy being in class? As you know, a student can gain (a groundless sense of)  self esteem and enjoy class without learning anything at all.

Not to worry. The techno-educrats have it covered. Read Diane Ravitch’s discussion on  plans for “galvanic skin response” monitoring. Hook up the student and read his or her responses.

If you want to double-check that this is real, here is a link to a Reuters article:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/13/us-usa-education-gates-idUSBRE85C17Z20120613

And here is a link documenting a $498,000 grant to just one of the several universities working on this:
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/grants-2011/pages/clemson-university-opp1049604.aspx

Tags: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, data, federal, intrusive, teacher evaluations, tracking