School leaders want to be assured that their teacher evaluation processes have the greatest opportunity to propel teacher and student growth. A set of research-based best practices gives schools a blueprint for teacher evaluations that make the greatest impact, when implemented with fidelity.

The National Council on Teacher Quality identified seven practices that are a common thread among school systems where teacher evaluations led to improvement in teaching quality and student outcomes. Here are those “green flags” of teacher evaluations and how the Network for Educator Effectiveness supports each practice.

1. Multiple measures of effectiveness

Incorporating multiple measures of teaching effectiveness into summative evaluations creates a more robust and accurate depiction of a teacher’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. The NEE teacher evaluation system includes the following measures: classroom observations, professional development plans, unit of instruction plans, and the NEE Student Survey. Local schools decide which measures to incorporate in their teacher evaluation processes.

2. Student surveys

Student surveys are an increasingly common component of teacher evaluation systems. The NEE Student Survey provides teachers with feedback on specific, concrete teacher behaviors rather than global ratings.

3. Objective measures of student growth

In addition to other measures, evaluations often include a way to measure a teacher’s impact on student learning. NEE’s approach to measuring student growth occurs through the NEE Unit of Instruction. In the UOI, teachers may document their pre-test and post-test student scores. Although student growth is not a scored element of the summative evaluation with NEE, the student growth component gives evaluators an opportunity to assess the instructional planning and decision making of teachers.

4. At least three rating categories

Binary rating systems (satisfactory or unsatisfactory) provide little meaningful information, as most teachers are deemed “satisfactory.” With NEE, labels are not assigned at all during a summative evaluation. Data from classroom observations and other measures are reported in the NEE summative report, and evaluators use the data to make decisions about staffing and compensation without labeling teachers.

5. Annual evaluations and observations by trained evaluators

Observation scores are more reliable when teachers receive multiple observations and feedback during the year. Although NEE schools set their own summative evaluation timelines, NEE encourages multiple short observations for each teacher every school year, with face-to-face feedback to follow within 24 hours. Furthermore, NEE evaluators are trained each year on the classroom observation rubrics and effective feedback practices.

6. Professional learning tied to evaluation

Evaluation should be the start of a conversation, a way to inform professional learning that is meaningful and appropriate for each teacher. NEE’s EdHub Library provides data-informed professional learning resources for educators. EdHub includes more than 500 resources aligned to the NEE teacher and leader indicators, giving educators access to a large collection of high-quality resources to fit their unique needs.

7. Feedback

It is difficult to understate the importance of effective feedback during the evaluation process. That’s why NEE’s training for evaluators has focused heavily on providing effective, tailored feedback to teachers. NEE encourages evaluators to share feedback within 24 hours of recording evaluation data, most preferably in a face-to-face conversation. These feedback conversations, when perceived as helpful by teachers, drive strong instructional improvement and ultimately student growth.

Implementing strong, evidence-based educator evaluation practices with fidelity has great potential to generate positive outcomes for teacher and student growth. When educators buy in and commit to the NEE Advantage, they get a full system built on effective evaluation practices that drive change – the ultimate “green flag.” If you’re interested in learning more about NEE processes, contact us at nee@missouri.edu or 844-793-4357.

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.