More on response to DHS http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080806_Nutter_seeks_to_reassure_DHS_workers.html
I agree, Nutter should apologize to all of us. Note the experienced workers response, "nothing will change." I wasn't clear yesterday about the effect of poor simplistic evaluation. Teachers are being forced to teach to the standardized test. It's frustrating to give up everything else because this focus is demanded. In substance abuse programs, therapists are forced to treat paperwork instead of people. This system glorifies a top down approach. Bean counters in far away places can evaluate the paperwork with a checklist. No one cares about the therapists continuing improvement as a therapist or what they are doing with the patient. Then front line workers are treated like idiots when they complain that the evaluations and paperwork focus is counterproductive. They know they don't have the tools they need for the human service and the paperwork focus is all designed to monitor them- checklists, etc. Statistics are being overused and overvalued in the human services evaluations. It's like glorifying the hammer so much that the carpenter is forgotten. That is not an anti-statistic sentiment, but the belief that statistics is merely a tool. The overuse of statistics in evaluation is because of the top down nature of these systems. Front line therapists having proper supports and tools are irrelvant because we have a few great men to pass judgement. Evaluations should be on-going and multi-dimensional. Monitoring minimum standards must not be the entire focus. Professional development should be encouraged as part of the job and then the evaluation becomes tied to development not just as the basis for reprimands. Failings like the massive failing at DHS would not happen and the agencies and professionals could function at a much higher level and provide tremendous benefit to society. It is not a waste to develop good agencies with growing high functioning professionals! Glenn ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
