File: GCO - EVALUATION OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF File: GCO - EVALUATION OF PROFESSIONAL STAFFIn order to assure a high quality of teacher and administrator performance and to advance the instructional programs of the schools, a continuous program for teacher and administrator evaluation will be established by the School Committee. Regular reports will be made to the Superintendent concerning the outcomes of these evaluations.
The evaluation process will include:
1. The development and periodic review of techniques and procedures for making evaluations.
2. Interpretation of the information gained in the valuative process in terms of the objectives of the instructional program.
3. The application of the information gained to the planning of staff development and inservice training activities, which are designed to improve instruction and increase teacher competence.
The evaluation process will include self-evaluation, supervisor-initiated observations, and teacher-initiated observations.
The formal evaluations will be written and will be discussed by the supervisor and the person being evaluated. The discussions may either precede or follow the writing of the evaluation document. Copies of the written document will be signed by both parties and incorporated into the personnel files of the teacher or administrator. In addition, the individual and his/her department chairman (if applicable) will receive a signed copy. The signature should indicate that the evaluation has been read and discussed.
The written evaluation should be specific in terms of the person' s strengths and weaknesses. Those areas where improvement is needed should be clearly set forth and recommendations for improvement should be made. Subsequent evaluations should address themselves to any improvement or to any continuing difficulty that is observed.
All evaluations shall be consistent with the requirements of M.G.L. c. 71, §38, as amended by §40 of the Education Reform Act of 1993. Evaluations shall be based on performance standards which shall be determined in a manner consistent with the procedures established in M.G.L. c. 71, §38, and shall advance the goals of encouraging innovation in teaching and holding teachers accountable for improving student performance. The requirements of M.G.L. c. 71, §38 shall be minimum requirements. Evaluation and observation of personnel shall be the responsibility of the administration and may be conducted by them at any time after teachers have been informed of the performance standards at the beginning of the school year.
Adopted April 25, 1996