Why focus on Teacher Evaluation?
Research shows that evaluation, done well, can improve teacher practice, ultimately leading to better student outcomes.1 States should consider how they can support high-quality systems and district-level implementation to provide teachers with quality feedback, identify the best teachers, and foster ongoing professional growth.
How well is each state implementing Teacher Evaluation policies?
NCTQ conducted a comprehensive scan of teacher evaluation policies in 2022. This analysis revealed that states have largely stalled in adopting evidence-based teacher evaluation policies that support student learning. The analysis also revealed that:
- Only 10 states require a uniform teacher evaluation system statewide. While flexibility can be important, without at least some common elements, consistency and comparability across districts can be limited.
- Nearly half of the states mandate that observations be part of a teacher’s evaluation, but they do not specify the weight that observations should carry in the overall evaluation.
- More than half of states require that measures of student growth, like assessment scores, student learning objectives, or other shared measures, be considered as part of teacher’s evaluation.
- More than a third of states lack a statewide policy that mandates teachers receive any form of feedback, whether written, in-person, or otherwise
Explore the key policy levers below to learn more about how each state is implementing policies to strengthen Teacher Evaluation. (NCTQ does not assign rankings to states for this policy area.)
Key Resources
State of the States 2022: Teacher and Principal Evaluation Policies
Explore NCTQ’s comprehensive analysis of state teacher and principal evaluation policies.
Rural teacher evaluation system shows promising results for students struggling in math
Learn more about how evaluation systems can improve outcomes in rural areas.
References
- Bleiberg, J., Brunner, E., Harbatkin, E., Kraft, M. A., & Springer, M. (2021). The Effect of Teacher Evaluation on Achievement and Attainment: Evidence from Statewide Reforms. (EdWorkingPaper: 21-496). Retrieved from Annenberg Institute at Brown University: https://doi.org/10.26300/b1ak-r251.