Some of the most meaningful teacher professional practices – reflection, collaboration, ethical decision-making, and continuous learning – occur outside of classroom instruction. However, evaluators still need a way to evaluate and provide feedback on those practices.

The Network for Educator Effectiveness (NEE) is excited to introduce newly developed observation rubrics that will assist in that process. Although these practices may not be observed during a traditional walkthrough, they can be observed in other settings.

The NEE rubrics give districts a structured way to recognize and support professional habits that strengthen teaching over time.

NEE Standard 8 Indicators

NEE Standard 8 (Develops Professional Practices) includes three specific indicators that were previously considered non-observable:

  • Indicator 8.1: The teacher engages in self-assessment and improvement. If self-assessment and improvement is a focus for your district or building, Indicator 8.1 is one you may consider adding as a NEE focus indicator.
  • Indicator 8.2: The teacher seeks and creates professional learning opportunities. If your district or building is focused on promoting professional learning opportunities and staff involvement in the promotion, planning, execution and participation of those opportunities, Indicator 8.2 may be one that you would like to consider utilizing.
  • Indicator 8.3: The teacher observes, promotes, and supports professional rights, responsibilities, and ethical practices. The Indicator 8.3 rubric assists in monitoring teacher professionalism in interactions that demonstrate ethical behavior.

Evidence for Standard 8 Non-Classroom Observations

Although the three Standard 8 indicators might not be observed in the classroom setting, there are multiple opportunities for evaluators to observe teachers in other settings.

Evidence for Indicator 8.1 could be observed in:

  • Professional development activities
  • Grade-level, content-area, or other team meetings
  • Reflective journaling
  • Self-analysis of classroom videos
  • Assessment data
  • Student surveys
  • Peer observations
  • Documented growth in professional portfolios

Evidence for Indicator 8.2 could be observed in:

  • Professional development activities
  • Grade-level, content-area, or other team meetings
  • A clearly articulated professional development plan that shows evidence of learning
  • A willingness to lead/coach a team of educators in professional learning
  • Clear initiative to seek out learning opportunities for both self and peers

Evidence for Indicator 8.3 could be observed in:

  • Professional development activities
  • Grade-level, content-area, or other team meetings
  • School and community events
  • Interactions with students, parents, colleagues, and community members
  • Adhering to board of education policy and the teacher handbook
  • Meeting requirements for certification and other required reporting
  • Being an active leader/participant in peer group ethical decision-making
  • Seeking out and advocating for ways to provide access and accommodations for all students

Standard 8 rubrics are now available within the NEE Data Tool observation report and can be downloaded as a PDF from the Help and Resources menu. NEE recommends that evaluators score non-classroom indicators on a separate observation report that does not include indicators measured during a classroom walkthrough. Adding non-classroom indicators to a walkthrough implies the evaluator saw it in the classroom during that specific observation, which is likely not the case.

NEE has also added non-classroom observation rubrics for indicators under Standard 3 (Implements Curriculum), Standard 7 (Uses Student Assessment Data), and Standard 9 (Participates in Professional Collaborations).

NEE looks forward to helping school leaders explore the new rubrics and the opportunities they offer to support all aspects of teacher growth.

If you have any questions, please contact the NEE Help Desk at 844-793-4357 or nee@missouri.edu.

The Network for Educator Effectiveness (NEE) is a simple yet powerful comprehensive system for educator evaluation that helps educators grow, students learn, and schools improve. Developed by preK-12 practitioners and experts at the University of Missouri, NEE brings together classroom observation, student feedback, teacher curriculum planning, and professional development as measures of effectiveness in a secure online portal designed to promote educator growth and development.