Hypothetical for Texas Guys

[slo8140]

That ability to get game film from football games is helpful and my crew has done that in the past. I wish game film was available for other sports as well. TASO or the UIL whoever ends up in charge needs to come up with some way to evaluate officials outside of the just coach evals.

One way that might work is to have the trainers or officers from a chapter sit out a few games during the season and watch other guys work. If you watched a DH you could get two guys on both the plate and bases in baseball.

I know that it is trickier to do in football with such a finite number of games. We just need to do something. I think it should be TASO wide and not just focus on football though. I love calling football games, but I also love calling baseball. I think the whole organization should strive to be better and not just on a sport by sport basis.

[El Macman]

"Absolutely. Just as with the issue of accountability, the issue of evaluation must be addressed state-wide. TASO must get this done."
How? That is the magic question.

A tough proposition, no question. But a system must be implemented, and it needs to have a consistent state-wide methodology, even though it will have to be executed locally.
Proposition:
TASO Board or TASO-Football Board mandates that all chapters perform annual evaluations of their members. TASO-Football Board establishes evaluation criteria, and publishes an evaluation manual and reporting forms that are to be followed state-wide. Each Chapter would be free to implement the evaluation system in the manner they choose, but TASO would recommend that respected veteran officials (perferably active) be asked to observe and evaluate officials (including each other) during at least one varsity contest each season (if they have any varsity games; if not, then sub-varsity). That may mean those veterans might need to give up a Friday night during the season. Unpalatable as it may be, that may be the price of freedom from the UIL. Additionally (but NOT alternatively), officials could be evaluated via video review of a games(s). At season's end, a small group of chapter members (not necessarily officers) should review the evaluations and dispose of them as they deem appropriate, i.e., rank officials or crews; categorize officials or crews; conduct evaluation intereviews with officials - whatever and however they deem best for themselves. But they'd be required to present the evalautions to the membership (individually and confidentially, of course), and keep the evaluations for some period of time - say three years, and they must be surrendered upon demand to the TASO Executive Director/Board/Football Board should there be a formal challenge or grievance by a member.

There's a proposal.

[george7244]

we have observers in arkansas and they are all retired officials.  i counted 26 on the roster for 2010 to cover the entire state.  having been observed a few times in different parts of the state where we called games really helped us to work on the things that maybe we were not proficient enough in.  i believe that the observations were fair and certainly were appreciated. there is not enough observers to see every crew in a year but everyone may not want to be evaluated. i dont know what these guys are paid per game but i know that the arkansas officials association in little rock pays them. this may be something that texas could work on.  i worked in texas for 25 years and thought that the coaches evaluations stunk most of the time. 

[TxGrayhat]

same question differnt situation.. A police officer pulls someone over and writes them a ticket for a tail light. only to find out later it was not out. but the driver starts being acting crazy and shoves the officer or actions get out of hand and he is arrested. Does the driver get to get away with anything because the officer was incorect in why he stopped him. No he goes to jail...   The officer was wrong in stopping him but people don't get a free pass to do or say anything. 
Mistakes happen and they need to be handled by the chapter. But if the coaches actions result in his ejection he knows where the line is and he decided to cross it. The official should admit and appologize for an incorrect call. The word will get out and that official will be remembered by that call so his punishment will last longer than a game. And the Coach's ejection and subsequent punishment should stand.

[El Macman]

same question differnt situation.. A police officer pulls someone over and writes them a ticket for a tail light. only to find out later it was not out. but the driver starts being acting crazy and shoves the officer or actions get out of hand and he is arrested. Does the driver get to get away with anything because the officer was incorect in why he stopped him. No he goes to jail...   The officer was wrong in stopping him but people don't get a free pass to do or say anything. 
Mistakes happen and they need to be handled by the chapter. But if the coaches actions result in his ejection he knows where the line is and he decided to cross it. The official should admit and appologize for an incorrect call. The word will get out and that official will be remembered by that call so his punishment will last longer than a game. And the Coach's ejection and subsequent punishment should stand.

I like the way you think.

[James]

We have a longer season in Germany, so it is easier to get people to give up a game or two and evaluate. We have active officials and our trainers go to games. They tape it for future training purposes, and also give feedback at halftime and immediately after the game.
It is better when the trainers do it, since they have some standards they are looking for, when it is 'just' a veteran, he will sometimes have a particular way of looking at things or oppinion on something.
Our guys get about $20.
I would HATE to see coaches evaluations, they would be completely biased and (with the exception of Atlantic Blue) know knowledge of what we really do out there.