Teacher Evaluation

Teacher evaluation is a systematic, ongoing process used to assess teachers’ competence, performance, and effectiveness in the classroom. Teacher evaluations also include an assessment of data to determine appropriate pathways for developing highly skilled teachers. Systematic evaluations give evidence of teachers’ performance, address teachers’ accountability, and influence professional development. This entry describes the procedures for teacher evaluations and how teacher evaluations are aligned with professional growth.

In most states, school districts evaluate teachers at least annually. In some states, school districts evaluate nontenured teachers twice a year. The evaluator is assigned by the school district and is usually the school principal. The procedures for teacher evaluation occur in several phases. First, there is a preconference between the teacher and the evaluator. The preconference or preobservation phase ...