Example 1: Plagiarize the original text by copying portions of it word-for-word.
It seems that no measure is perfect, but the estimates of value-added and other “growth models,” which attempt to isolate the “true effect” of an individual teacher through his or her students’ test scores, are alarmingly error-prone in any given year.
Example 2: Plagiarize the original text by paraphrasing its structure too closely, without copying it word-for-word.
Evaluating teacher effectiveness, by estimating value-added or other growth models based on students test scores, is not reliable. Teacher evaluation studies in two major US cities have shown large margins of error in percentile ranking (up to 28 points plus or minus). These scores change year to year.
Example 3: Plagiarize the original text by paraphrasing its structure too closely, and include a citation. Even though you cited it, paraphrasing too closely is still plagiarism.
Evaluating teacher effectiveness, by estimating value-added or other growth models based on students test scores, is not reliable. Teacher evaluation studies in two major US cities have shown large margins of error in percentile ranking (up to 28 points plus or minus). These scores change year to year (Ravitch 270-71).
Example 4: Properly paraphrase from the original text by restating the author’s ideas in different words and phrases, and include a citation to the original source.
Ravitch says that evaluating teacher effectiveness, by estimating value-added or other growth models based on students test scores, is not reliable. Teacher evaluation studies in two major US cities have shown large margins of error in percentile ranking (up to 28 points plus or minus). These scores change year to year (Ravitch 270-71).
Example 5: Properly paraphrase from the original text by restating the author’s ideas in different words and phrases, add a direct quote, and include a citation to the original source.
Ravitch says that evaluating teacher effectiveness, by estimating value-added or other growth models based on students test scores, is not reliable. “Sean Corcoran, an economist at New York University, studied the teacher evaluation systems in New York City and Houston. He found that the average “margin of error” of a New York City teacher was plus or minus 28 points.” These scores change year to year (Ravitch 270-71).
Ravitch, Diane. The Death and Life of the Great American School System. New York: Basic Books, 2011.
Based on the avoiding plagiarism assignment, you clearly grasp most of the important concepts here, but some could be clearer. In example 5, attribute the quote to Ravitch to clarify exactly what she wrote, and place single quotes around any internal quotations, like this:
As Diane Ravitch reported on economist Sean Corcoran’s research, “he found that the average ‘margin of error’ of a new York City teacher was plus or minus 28 points.” Furthermore, these scores change year to year (Ravitch 270-271).