Perceptions of secondary school teachers on the Career Evaluation Examination(KBYS) and a qualitative research

Teachers and civil servant personnel have been given various opportunities to improve their ability by the state. Some of these oppurtunities are the Civil Servant Language Examination (KPDS), the Selection of Civil Servant Examination (KPSS) and the Career Evaluation Examination (KBYS). These examinations are the only objective criteria for the promotion of civil servant personnel and teachers. Recently, the mobilization of education has taken place against a background of technological development; especially with various computer programs and computer-based foreign language-learning programs. Alongside this, many teachers and civil servant personnel have taken master and Ph. degrees. The aim of this research is to determine the perceptions of secondary school teachers in Istanbul (Anatolian side), in relation to the performance appraisal of the career grade system in 2005. During the research, a questionnaire form was prepared by the researcher and data analysis has been carried out using content analysis. The conclusions herein originated from submitting ten basic questions and the answers that were subsequently provided. The results of the research are that, despite the fact that secondary school teachers want to improve their ability, they think that the exam questions are not adequate enough to measure their level of education. Getting a higher salary is the prime reason for taking these exams. Besides, they think that the required documents for the expertise are not clearly explained and they are not sure about the duties of the appraisal commission. In short, it sounds confusing to them. In addition to this, the teachers put forward a negative opinion about the applicability of the system, and they proposed that improvement studies should be done. The teachers think that participation in scientific and social activities with their levels of education is a required criteria augmenting their improvement; but they are of the opinion that opposes examinations and inspection grades being used in appraisal. Key words: Examination of career, secondary school teachers, career evaluation