Adopted March 2011 – Reviewed and deemed relevant August 2022 – Education Commission
California State PTA believes that every student deserves highly qualified and effective teachers, so that all students can learn and develop critical skills that prepare them to be college- and workforce-ready. California State PTA believes that the evaluation of teachers should measure both student learning and teacher effectiveness.
California State PTA believes that meaningful teacher evaluation should be transparent and provide all teachers with clear expectations and regular feedback that helps them grow as professionals.
Any teacher evaluation system should establish clear criteria and measures that must be included in all teacher evaluation systems, should allow individual school districts the flexibility to devise a system that meets the needs of their pupils, teachers, administrators and parents.
The evaluation process should consist of multiple measures available to the public to determine teacher effectiveness through student academic performance, and identify areas in need of professional development and teacher support.
Multiple measures should include, but are not limited to:
- Formative and summative assessment of student performance, district and state tests, classroom work, class room participation, student grades, and student projects and portfolios.
- Evidence of high expectations, high student performance and engagement.
- Evidence that teachers are engaging parents and guardians in the student’s education.
- Affirmation that there is differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all learners.
- Evidence of culturally responsive instruction to meet the needs of all students to help eliminate the achievement gap.
- Affirmation of teacher collaboration through professional learning communities, articulation between grade levels, and participating in ongoing staff development.
- Teacher self-assessment based on state, district and county office standards.
- Multiple types of observations by the designated administrator, including but not limited to: formal and informal classroom visits, one-on-one discussion with the teacher, classroom materials and course of study review, and parent and student feedback.
- Evidence that there is consistent collaboration with staff, parents/guardians, students and administrators.
California State PTA believes that the evaluation of teachers must occur in a planned, regular, and ongoing manner that promotes teacher competency and effectiveness, and student academic growth.
