Step 1

Provide an Orientation for all teaching staff (Required prior to conducting any evaluation activities).

Each teacher must be provided a copy of the evaluation manual, the Atlanta Teacher Evaluation Process (ATEP), prior to the initial evaluation observation. An overview of the ATEP procedures, the content and terminology in the TPEI and ATDRI, will be discussed. Principals/designee should describe and clarify evaluation process and procedures as well as performance expectations.

For teachers who have previously received an ATEP orientation, an update on any changes in procedures and content of the ATEP shall be conducted. Teachers must be notified in writing by September 15 th of the evaluation process and guidelines under which they will be evaluated.

Step 2

A pre-evaluation conference is not required as a routine procedure, but one must be conducted at the request of either the teacher or the evaluator.

Step 3

Conduct one required 20-minute Classroom Observation for all tenured teachers, and three required 20-minute Classroom Observations for all non-tenured teachers.

One unannounced observation must be completed prior to November 1st for all non- tenured teachers who were employed at the beginning of the school year. The second classroom observation must be conducted for all non-tenured teachers by the end of the first semester. One unannounced classroom observation must be completed for all tenured teachers prior to March 15th. The TPEI classroom observation form should be used for all formal classroom observations. The results of the observation are to be returned to the teacher within five working days. The teacher can request a conference within 10 working days of receiving the results. Any written comments from the teacher must be received within 10 working days and attached to the observation record.

For the tenured teacher, if the observation is satisfactory, continue to monitor duties and responsibilities on the ATDRI. If one area is Needs Improvement or two areas are Below Expectations, an additional formal observation will -be conducted and the rating from the second observation will be used for the summative rating on the TPEI. If, the teacher does not meet the minimum score for a dimension or receives two Needs Improvement scores the teacher should be placed in the non-tenured process and three additional observations must be conducted. The teacher should be notified of this change in evaluation status. The principal can place the teacher on a Professional Development Plan at any time based on an observed and documented deficiency.

For the non-tenured teacher, three unannounced observations of at least 20 minutes each are required. If the observations are satisfactory, continue to monitor duties and responsibilities.

If a teacher accumulates five Needs Improvement, a combination of five Needs Improvement and Below Expectations ratings or does not meet the minimum score for a dimension on the classroom observation(s), the extended phase must be utilized.

The extended phase consists of a required conference to plan for the extended observation. The conference is followed by an announced, full class/lesson observation. The results of this observation are recorded. on the TPEI Extended observation form.

The results of the observation are to be returned to the teacher within five working days. A conference must be held to discuss the observation. The scores from the extended observation are for diagnostic purposes only and not be used on the TPEI summative evaluation. If all of the scores from the extended observation are at s Expectations of higher the unannounced observations are resumed. If the ratings indicate that improvement is needed, assistance should be planned and provided promptly. If necessary the plan may indicate the need for a Professional Development Plan and should be implemented immediately. Annual evaluation results are based on the best 3 out of 4 observations.

Extended observations can be used with non-tenured or tenured teachers for diagnostic purposes. Extended observations are an option any time a teacher or an evaluator wishes to collect information about teaching skills from announced full lesson/class observation. Announced extended observations are an important diagnostic tool and are encouraged but may not be used as part of the TPEI Summary Report. Information gathered on unannounced classroom observation(s) shall be used to complete portions of the TPEI Summary Report.

The non-tenured evaluation process shall be used to evaluate the following groups of teachers:

·** Teachers within fewer than three years of teaching experience.

** Teachers with three or more years of teaching experience who are newly employed with APS.

** Teachers not in category (1) or (2) whose previous annual performance was unsatisfactory under the ATEP/GTEP evaluation process.

** Teachers eligible for the tenured evaluations process and placed into the non-tenured evaluation process phase as determined by the principal.

APS will determine the observation timelines for all teachers with the following exception. Teachers employed at the beginning of the school year who are new to the system or who have less than three years of teaching experience must have their first observation prior to November 1st.

To the extent possible, non-tenured observations should be distributed to provide for a sample of teaching behaviors at the beginning, middle, and end of lessons, at different times of the day, on different days of the week, and over a number of months. Non-tenured observations for a given teacher must not occur prior to the teacher receiving a TPEI Observation Record for a previous observation and an opportunity to request and have a conference.

Observation Guidelines

Observations for evaluation using the TPEI should take place during teaching situations that provide appropriate opportunities for interaction of either a student-focused or teacher-focused nature. In cases where the students are engaged in appropriate noninteractive learning activities, such as silent reading, independent writing, or listening to a story, evaluators should not score the lesson with the TPEI Evaluators should not score exams, videotapes, films, guest speakers, or similar classroom activities. Evaluators are encouraged to use professional discretion in the selection of observation times.

Step 4

Summarize and Score Observations and Data

Within five working days, of the observation the observer must provide the teacher (tenured or non-tenured) with written feedback. Comments are required for each indicator receiving a Needs Improvement or Below Expectations marking. A written comment may be necessary for an indicator marked not observed. Teachers must be granted a conference within 10 working days to discuss observation results if requested. Written comments from teachers must be attached to the observation record within 10 days of the teacher receiving the

Step 5

Post Observation Conference

Optional after an unannounced observation but strongly recommended if the teacher receives a Needs Improvement marking.Required as part of the extended phase and when the teacher receives first notification of an incident on the ATDRI.

Step 6

Complete Annual Summary Report (Required)

Teacher performance data may be obtained in a variety of ways:

Lesson plan review
Classroom observations
Rollbook/Grading system
Portfolio review
Teacher conferences
Other documentation provided by the evaluator

Teachers must meet the minimum performance standard on Dimensions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 and obtain a rating of 75 or higher in order to receive an acceptable summary evaluation rating. The minimum score is not required on Dimension 5 to receive an overall satisfactory rating on the TPEI summary report. However a PDP is required if the minimum score on this or any other dimension is not achieved. Teachers cannot receive a passing score on a Dimension where more than half of the Indicators receive a rating of two or less.

Dimensions 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 on the TPEI should be assessed during the beginning of the rating process. Dimension 4 [Professional Growth Activities] is assessed toward the end of the process. This data will be provided to the principal for each non-tenured and tenured teacher. On the TPEI summative form, a comment must be written for each Indicator receiving a "Needs Improvement" or "Below Expectations" rating. A comment may be written for each dimension. Teachers must also be evaluated on the ATDRI which is scored by exception. On the annual summary report comments are required for the TPEI and the ATDRI. If a PDP is required the applicable information should be included on the annual summary form. Signatures are required. The principal signs all annual summary reports. If the principal was the primary evaluator, she/he signs in both places. If a teacher refuses to sign the Annual Summary or any other forms, the principal should secure a witness, write a statement that reflects the teacher's refusal to sign the form, and have the witness sign and date the form.

Step 7

Conduct Summary Conference (Required)

A summary conference must be provided for each teacher. The summary conference should include TPEI Classroom Observation(s), TPEI summative ratings, and the ATDRI. During the conference the principal reviews all ratings, comments, recommendations, and prescribed activities for improvement where applicable.

Step 8 (If required)

Professional Development Plan

Tenured teachers receiving an unsatisfactory annual summary evaluation must be placed on a Development Plan. Nontenured teachers receiving an unsatisfactory annual summary evaluation may be placed on a Professional Development Plan or recommended for nonrenewal. Third year non-tenured teachers or teachers new to APS who obtained tenure in another Georgia school system and received an unsatisfactory.

See also:

• APS Effective Practices

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