In August, the State Department of Education offered districts the option of adopting a more flexible model of educator evaluation valid only for 2020-21.
This flexibility was created to lessen stress on educators and provide space to focus on an SEL or engagement goal rather than an academic one. The flexible option was intended to be a formative process that emphasized supporting teachers with constructive feedback rather than ratings.
If your district adopted the flexible educator evaluation option, it is important to understand how this will impact you. The following are important aspects of the plan:
- No ratings for 2020-21
- Formative feedback that is frequent, constructive, and timely
- No formal observations
- One SEL or engagement goal
- Two mutually agreed upon SEL indicators
- An academic indicator cannot be required
- No standardized indicator is required
- An academic goal or indicator may be considered if mutually agreed upon by teacher and evaluator
- The focus of the flexible plan is on professional learning not on performance outcomes
If your district adopted the flexible option but does not abide by the above points, please contact Dr. Kate Field, CEA’s Teacher Development Specialist, at katef@cea.org. Please also reach out to Kate if you are in need of additional resources, examples of SEL goals, or SEL professional learning workshops.
