Practical Guide to Designing Comprehensive Teacher Evaluation Systems

Practical Guide to Designing Comprehensive Teacher Evaluation SystemsThis guide is designed to assist states and districts in constructing high-quality teacher evaluation systems in an effort to improve teaching and learning. It is intended to facilitate discussion and promote coherence in the development process. The guide begins with an overview of the factors influencing teacher evaluation reform today and continues with a discussion of approaches to balancing state accountability and district autonomy. The remainder of the guide is structured around the essential components of the design process as supported through research and practice. Each subsection includes an overview of the component, resources and practical examples, and a series of guiding questions designed to help states organize their work and move strategically toward an evaluation system that functions to improve student learning and teacher performance.