Glen Ridge Public Schools

Overview of Teacher/Principal Evaluation Changes

EE4NJ (Excellent Educators for New

Jersey)

OverviewEvaluation changes are being driven by Federal

reform programs/initiatives. Many other states are in the process of making similar changes in

teacher/principal evaluations

Legislation: Currently EE4NJ is being driven by DOE directives. It is designed to conform to education reform legislation, including TEACH NJ (S1455), currently pending in the Senate. While the Legislature considers legislative reforms, EE4NJ will move forward.

Objectives: To improve student outcomes by creating standardized evaluation systems that make the teacher/principal evaluation process more objective, reflective and constructive

Current Overall Timeline: In the 2011-2012 school year, eleven pilot districts are implementing new teacher evaluation systems that align with NJ DOE guidelines. The pilot will be expanded by another 30 districts in 2012-2013, with statewide implementation scheduled for 2013-2014. The principal evaluation system will be piloted in some districts in 2012-2013.

Preparation TimelineNovember 2012: Deadline for formation of a

District Evaluation Advisory Committee to ensure stakeholder engagement in teacher evaluation reform

January 2013: Deadline for adopting an evidence-supported teaching practice observation (evaluation) instrument

June 2013: Deadline for training teachers in the teaching practice observation instrument

August 2013: Deadline for training observers (evaluators) to ensure fair and consistent application of the instrument

January and July 2013: Districts must complete progress reports on the above milestones

Progress To DateGlen Ridge Progress

We are ahead of the state’s schedule. The District Evaluation Advisory Committee (DEAC) has been formed and has already begun the work of considering four different evaluation systems, each of which is New Jersey DOE—approved. Software for all four systems is compatible with DOE data collection software.

Evaluation Systems

Each of the four systems under consideration by the DEAC contains a number of different criteria for rating teacher effectiveness. Each of the systems leads to the placement of every teacher into one of four effectiveness categories (least effective to most effective), according to the evaluator’s assessment of the individual teacher’s skills. This four-category system is mandated by the NJ DOE.