3220 - STANDARDS-BASED TEACHER EVALUATION

ESC of Central Ohio

Bylaws & Policies

3220 - STANDARDS-BASED TEACHER EVALUATION

The Governing Board is responsible for adopting and implementing a standards-based teacher evaluation policy that conforms to the framework for evaluation of teachers as approved by the State Board of Education, as amended, which aligns with the "Standards for the Teaching Profession" as set forth in State law.

The Board generally adopts the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System ("OTES") model as approved by the State Board of Education, with occasional modifications and adaptations.

The Board believes in the importance of ongoing assessment and meaningful feedback as a powerful vehicle to support improved teaching performance and student growth, as well as promotion and retention decisions for teachers.

Definitions

"OTES" - stands for the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System as adopted by the Ohio State Board of Education in 2011, or as otherwise modified by the State Board of Education.

"Teacher" – For purposes of this policy, "teacher" means licensed instructors who spend at least fifty percent (50%) of his/her time providing student instruction and who is working under one of the following:

	A.	A license issued under R.C. 3319.22, 3319.26, 3319.222 or 3319.226; or
	B.	A professional or permanent certificate issued under former R.C. 3319.222.

Substitute teachers and teachers not meeting this definition are not subject to evaluation under this policy.

"Credentialed Evaluator" - For purposes of this policy, each teacher subject to evaluation will be evaluated by a person who is credentialed as defined in R.C. 3319.111(D).

Standards Based Teacher Evaluation

Teacher evaluations will utilize multiple factors, with the intent of providing meaningful feedback to each teacher and assigning an effectiveness rating based in equal part upon teacher performance and student growth.

Each teacher evaluation will result in an effectiveness rating of:

	A.	accomplished;
	B.	skilled;
	C.	developing; or
	D.	ineffective.

The specific standards and criteria for distinguishing between these ratings/levels of performance shall be the same as those developed by the State Board of Education, as amended from time to time, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Fifty percent (50%) of each evaluation will be based upon teacher performance and fifty percent (50%) on measures of student growth as set forth herein.

The Board may elect not to evaluate a teacher who was on a leave of absence for fifty percent (50%) or more of the school year. The Board may elect not to evaluate a teacher who has submitted notice of retirement that was accepted by the Board not later than December 1st of the year the teacher was scheduled to be evaluated.

Assessment of Teacher Performance

Teacher performance will be evaluated during formal observations, informal observations also known as "classroom walkthroughs," and other methods of gathering teacher performance data. Such performance, which will comprise fifty percent (50%) of a teacher’s effectiveness rating, will be assessed by trained and credentialed evaluators based upon the Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession.

Formal Observation and Classroom Walkthrough Sequence

	A.	All instructors who meet the definition of "teacher" under R.C. 3319.111 and this policy shall be evaluated based on at least two (2) formal observations of at least thirty (30) minutes each and classroom walkthroughs each school year, except as provided below.
	B.	Teachers on a limited contract who are under consideration for nonrenewal shall receive at least three (3) formal observations in addition to classroom walkthroughs.

		1.	A teacher who received a rating of "Accomplished" on his/her most recent evaluation may be evaluated once every three (3) years as long as the teacher's student academic growth measure for the most recent school year for which data is available is average or higher, as determined by the Ohio Department of Education.
		2.	A teacher who received a rating of "skilled" on his/her most recent evaluation may be evaluated once every two (2) years as long as the teacher's student academic growth measure for the most recent school year for which data is available is average or higher, as determined by the Ohio Department of Education.
		3.	In any year that a teacher is not formally evaluated as a result of receiving a rating of "accomplished" or "skilled" on the teacher's most recent evaluation, a credentialed evaluator shall conduct at least one (1) observation of the teacher and hold at least one (1) conference with the teacher.
		4.	A teacher who receives a rating of "accomplished" on his/her most recent evaluation may complete a project in place of one (1) of the required observations, if the Board passes a resolution to that effect. The project must be approved by the Board.

Evaluations will be completed by May 1^st and each teacher will be provided a written report of the results of his/her evaluation by May 10^th. Written notice of nonrenewal will be provided by June 1^st.

In evaluating teacher performance, the Board shall utilize the measures set forth by the Ohio Department of Education’s OTES "Teacher Performance Evaluation Rubric" for instructional planning, instruction and assessment, and professionalism.

Assessment of Student Growth

In determining student growth measures, the Board shall comply with law and regulations adopted by the Ohio Department of Education.

Where value-added methodologies exist for teachers, the Board will utilize them in the evaluation process, as required by law. Teachers instructing in value-added courses, but not exclusively, will utilize teacher value-added and locally determined measures proportionate to the teacher’s schedule.

When an approved Ohio Department of Education vendor assessment is utilized in the measurement of student growth, it will be included in the evaluation process consistent with law.

When neither teacher-level value-added data nor Ohio Department of Education-approved assessments are available, the Board shall use locally-determined Student Growth Measures for teachers.

Data from these approved measures of student growth will be scored in accordance with the Ohio Department of Education/OTES guidance.

Final Evaluation Procedures

Each teacher’s performance rating will be combined with the assessment of student growth measures to produce the summative evaluation rating, based upon criteria developed by the ODE, as amended from time to time.

The evaluator shall ensure that each evaluation is submitted to the teacher for his/her acknowledgement by written receipt.

Professional Growth Plans and Professional Improvement Plans

Based upon the results of the annual teacher evaluation, each teacher must develop either a professional growth plan or professional improvement plan as set forth in ODE’s framework and guidance.

Board Professional Development Plan

In accordance with the Ohio State Board of Education’s statewide evaluation framework, the Board has adopted a specific plan for the allocation of financial resources to support the professional development of teachers covered by this policy.

Retention and Promotion Decisions/Removal of Poorly Performing Teachers

It is the purpose of this Standards-Based Teacher Evaluation Policy to improve the quality of instruction, enhance student learning and strengthen professional competence through meaningful feedback and targeted professional development. In addition, the evaluations produced will serve to inform the Board on employment decisions, i.e., retention, promotion of teachers, renewal of teaching contracts, and the removal/nonrenewal of poorly performing teachers.

Removal of poorly performing teachers will be in accordance with the nonrenewal and termination statutes of the Ohio revised code.

Nothing in this policy will be deemed to prevent the Board from exercising its rights to nonrenew, terminate, or suspend a teaching contract as provided by law. The evaluation system and procedures set forth in this policy shall not create an expectation of continued employment for teachers on a limited contract that are evaluated under this policy.

R.C. 3319.02, 3319.11, 3319.111, 3319.112, 3319.114, 3319.22, 3319.222
R.C. 3319.226, 3319.26, 3319.58, 3333.0411
A.C. 3301-35-03(A)

Adopted 5/15/13
Revised 7/13
Revised 2/27/15
Revised 7/17/15