A team of teachers, principals, administrators and association representatives is working to develop, pilot and implement teacher and principal evaluation instruments that are aligned with new state standards, highlight best teaching and leadership practices and use a four point rubric. The evaluation tools will support professional growth and promote student achievement. In compliance with legislation, all school districts in Washington State will be required to adopt a new teacher-principal evaluation tool by 2013 that measures eight evaluation criteria:

• Demonstrating effective teaching practices
• Individualizing instruction
• Subject matter knowledge
• Fostering a safe, positive learning environment
• Use student data to modify instruction
• Communicating with parents and school community
• Exhibiting collaborative and collegial practices.

• Creating a culture
• Ensuring school safety
• Planning with data
• Aligning curriculum
• Improving instruction
• Managing resources
• Engaging communities
• Closing the gap

To create comprehensive, systems-linked evaluation models for both principals and teachers that include a 4-tiered rating system, meets the 8 new criteria, uses student assessment and multiple measures where applicable, and ideally function as tools to help improve teaching and learning.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Superintendent Craig Downs at (360)732-4090 Ext 222.