Interesting that a website that promotes anonymous reviews of schools and school heads would even ask this question. Less then 1% of those who post here disclose their identity. Then, of course, why should schools open their references to the candidates?
It's difficult to disagree with Jim Dunn's comment (above). Greater transparency would be better for education as a whole, so I think we should all be pushing for 'open' references. The references that I give for students who are applying for universities all over the world are visible to all the interested parties - university, student, parents, sponsor - so let's extend the practice a little further.
Jim Dunn - 12 years ago
Let's get rid of confidential reference letters and let perspective teachers/administrators see how they are viewed and evaluated by those from whom references are required. At the same time, let's get rid of anonymous reports on schools and administrators by those who submit them. To demand the end of confidential references while accepting anonymous reports seems a bit two-faced, don't you think?
Interesting that a website that promotes anonymous reviews of schools and school heads would even ask this question. Less then 1% of those who post here disclose their identity. Then, of course, why should schools open their references to the candidates?
It's difficult to disagree with Jim Dunn's comment (above). Greater transparency would be better for education as a whole, so I think we should all be pushing for 'open' references. The references that I give for students who are applying for universities all over the world are visible to all the interested parties - university, student, parents, sponsor - so let's extend the practice a little further.
Let's get rid of confidential reference letters and let perspective teachers/administrators see how they are viewed and evaluated by those from whom references are required. At the same time, let's get rid of anonymous reports on schools and administrators by those who submit them. To demand the end of confidential references while accepting anonymous reports seems a bit two-faced, don't you think?